Today, OpenAI and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) launched a first-ever program under the Trump administration’s OneGov strategy to give federal executive branch agencies access to ChatGPT Enterprise for just $1 per agency per year over the next 12 months.
In addition to the basic offering, federal employees will enjoy unlimited access to advanced AI models for 60 days, plus entry to a dedicated government user community and tailored training resources to help them onboard quickly.
This initiative aligns with a recent GSA decision to officially approve OpenAI—alongside Google and Anthropic—as pre-vetted AI vendors available through the federal Multiple Award Schedule (MAS). This pre‑approved listing facilitates streamlined procurement without the need for individual agency negotiations.
Though the cost is essentially symbolic, the arrangement formally extends one of the most advanced AI toolsets to government workers, while emphasizing security and ideological neutrality requirements mandated in the administration’s AI Action Plan.
Key Takeaways
- Deal Details: ChatGPT Enterprise accessible to all U.S. federal executive branch agencies for $1/year per agencyover the next year.
- Bonus Features: 60-day unlimited access to premium features (like Advanced Voice Mode), plus government-specific training and resources.
- Government Procurement: OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are now approved vendors via the GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule platform.
- Strategic Alignment: This is part of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, stressing AI deployment efficiency, ideological neutrality, and global leadership in emerging technology.
- Security Commitment: Agencies will use ChatGPT under strong compliance and security controls, including FedRAMP-level protocols.
🧭 Context & Implications
- The nominal fee essentially makes ChatGPT free for federal use, accelerating AI adoption across government without financial barriers.
- While rivals like Anthropic may follow, it remains unclear whether other AI companies will match OpenAI’s deeply discounted offer TechCrunchStartupNews.fyi.
- The move contrasts sharply with prior approaches under the Biden administration, which imposed tighter restrictions and export controls on AI technologies—that policy has since been reversed Reuters.
🔍 What to Watch
- Will Anthropic, Google, or other vendors offer similar low-cost access?
- Could expanding access to AI in federal agencies lead to concerns about data privacy, bias, or misuse—despite the stated compliance safeguards?
- How will agencies integrate AI into decision-making workflows across healthcare, cybersecurity, and public services?
