OpenAI and Government Access to ChatGPT

OpenAI Positions Itself for Federal AI Integration

OpenAI is strategically maneuvering to gain an advantage over competitors such as Anthropic and Google in the ongoing effort to integrate AI tools within federal agency operations.

New Agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration

The AI developer has finalized an agreement with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), the federal government's primary procurement agency. This agreement will provide ChatGPT Enterprise to participating federal agencies at a cost of only $1 per agency for the coming year.

This partnership was announced shortly after the GSA designated OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic as approved AI vendors. These companies will now offer their services through the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS).

The Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)

The MAS is a federal contracting platform designed to streamline the procurement process. It allows government agencies to access AI tools through pre-negotiated contracts, eliminating the need for individual vendor negotiations.

It remains uncertain if other AI companies will match OpenAI’s discounted pricing. However, Josh Gruenbaum, commissioner of GSA Federal Acquisition Service, has publicly encouraged other American AI technology companies to consider a similar approach.

Requests for comment have been sent to both Anthropic and Google.

Benefits Beyond Access

In addition to providing access to ChatGPT Enterprise, OpenAI is extending unlimited access to its advanced models for an additional 60-day period.

Federal employees will also gain access to a dedicated government user community and specialized introductory training materials. These resources are designed to facilitate familiarity with OpenAI’s suite of tools.

Addressing Data Security Concerns

Government agencies prioritize data security, particularly regarding the potential for sensitive information to be incorporated into model training datasets. Inquiries have been made to the GSA regarding the specific measures in place to protect government data.

These inquiries include whether security enhancements such as on-premises or private cloud deployments are being utilized.

A GSA spokesperson affirmed that “the government is taking a cautious, security‑first approach to AI.” This approach aims to safeguard sensitive information while simultaneously enabling agencies to leverage AI-driven improvements in efficiency.

Context of Recent Government Initiatives

OpenAI’s pricing strategy arrives a few weeks after the release of the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan. This plan focuses on expanding data center infrastructure and increasing the integration of AI tools within government functions.

It also follows a Trump executive order that prohibits the use of “woke AI” and AI models deemed not “ideologically neutral” in government contracts.

OpenAI has been contacted for further details regarding its partnership with the GSA and its strategy for addressing the stipulations outlined in the aforementioned executive order.