Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act
Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of HR 2417: Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act **What It Does:** This bill would require federal agencies and intelligence organizations to take inventory of all the software they purchase and use, then create management plans to control costs. Specifically, agencies would need to assess what software they own, review their contracts and spending (including hidden fees), and check whether different software systems work together. Based on these findings, they'd develop strategies to reduce unnecessary software purchases, streamline how they buy software, and require approval before any department uses a software license. **Who It Affects:** The bill targets federal agencies and Intelligence Community elements (like the CIA, NSA, etc.).
Indirectly, it could affect software vendors who sell to the government and taxpayers who fund these agencies. The goal is to prevent waste and ensure agencies aren't paying for redundant or underutilized software. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Representative Gerald Connolly (D-VA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it hasn't advanced to a full House vote yet. The bill focuses on practical government management—accounting, auditing, and procurement oversight—rather than partisan issues.
CRS Official Summary
Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets ActThis bill requires federal agencies and Intelligence Community (IC) elements to assess their software inventory and develop software management plans.The bill requires each agency and each IC element to complete a comprehensive assessment of the software paid for by, in use at, or deployed throughout the agency or element. The assessment must include information such as (1) the current inventory of software; (2) contracts and other arrangements used to acquire, build, deploy, or use the software; (3) costs and fees not included in the initial contract or agreement; and (4) the interoperability of the software and restrictions on its use.Each agency and IC element must use their assessment to develop a plan to consolidate software entitlements, develop procedures for cost-effective acquisition strategies, and restrict subordinate entities from using any software entitlement without approval. (A software entitlement is software that has been purchased, leased, or licensed by or billed to an agency and that is subject to use limitations.) Such plans must be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Congress. Within two years of enactment, OMB must submit recommendations to Congress regarding government software procurement policies and practices to • increase the interoperability of software licenses; • consolidate licenses when appropriate; • reduce costs; • improve performance; and • modernize the management and oversight of agency software. The GAO must report on certain related topics, including governmentwide trends in agency software asset management practices and comparisons of such practices among agencies.
Latest Action
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.