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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: October 3, 2025
Air Force Issues New Guidance on SaaS Procurement, Usage
(ExecutiveGov) The Department of the Air Force has issued a new memorandum that classifies software as a service as a commodity-based subscription service rather than a licensed software asset. In a LinkedIn post, the DAF chief information officer said the policy change shifts the department’s focus to usage, consumption and performance, unlocking real-time visibility into SaaS utilization, centralized procurement and cost control, stronger alignment with zero trust and data ownership mandates, and reduced sustainment burden on the workforce. Unlike traditional licenses, which grants ownership of the product, SaaS provides only access to applications. That distinction, according to the memo, makes it critical for the service to closely monitor usage, consumption and associated costs. Read More
Energy Department would host AI risk program under Senate bill
(FedScoop) As President Donald Trump veers away from the safety-centered approach to artificial intelligence favored by his predecessor, a bipartisan pair of senators is pitching a new Department of Energy AI testing program to assess risks posed by the technology. Introduced Monday by Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., the Artificial Intelligence Risk Evaluation Act would establish a risk evaluation program at DOE to track AI safety concerns tied to national security, civil liberties and labor protections. The legislation would require AI developers to submit product information to the agency before any new tech they develop is deployed. Read More
Dave Powner returns to GAO, this time to advocate for its bipartisan, cost-saving work
(NextGov/FCW) The Government Accountability Office’s new congressional relations official is focused on highlighting the watchdog’s bipartisan work and cost savings as the nonpartisan agency’s longtime head prepares to step down before the end of the year. Dave Powner returned to GAO earlier this month after a roughly seven-year stint with non-profit research giant MITRE, where he worked as executive director for the organization’s Center for Data-Driven Policy and as director of strategic engagement and partnerships. He previously served as GAO’s director of IT issues from 2002 through 2018. Read More
Navigating the Shutdown: Financial Preparedness Becomes Paramount for Federal Employees
(FedWeek) As the federal fiscal year ended on September 30, the long-feared government shutdown officially began on October 1, 2025, casting uncertainty across Washington, D.C., and the broader federal workforce. Without a budget or continuing resolution in place, funding has lapsed, triggering a shutdown as of 12:00 a.m. on that date. Each year, Congress must pass appropriations measures to sustain discretionary programs, which include everything from national defense and public education to the day-to-day operations of government agencies. The failure to meet this deadline has once again resulted in significant disruptions to public services. For federal employees, the cycle of brinkmanship continues to carry both financial risk and emotional toll, reinforcing the need for careful preparation and long-term solutions. Read More
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