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Cost Estimating NewsBrief: October 9, 2026
GSA memo to set AI-specific acquisition rules
(NextGov/FCW) The General Services Administration is adjusting its acquisition regulation to include language aimed at protecting government data that contractors process in large language models. Buried on page 129 of an agency memo signed by GSA Senior Procurement Executive Jeffrey Koses is a section titled “Basic Safeguarding of Data within Large Language Model Artificial Intelligence Systems.” The section details what data protections contractors and subcontractors must include when their LLMs process government data. For example, the rules state contractors cannot use government data to train LLMs, inform advertising or sell to a third party. Read More
IT Dashboard: Selected Agencies’ Investment Ratings Fail to Fully Consider Risks
(U.S. Government Accountability Office) The federal government spends over $100 billion annually on IT investments. The Federal IT Dashboard is a public website that provides information about these investments, including risk ratings—e.g., how likely it is that the investment will accomplish its goals. We reviewed some of the investments on this dashboard and found that their risk ratings weren’t always accurate. This is due, in part, to agencies not regularly updating these ratings. Without timely and accurate ratings, high-risk IT investments may not receive proper oversight, leaving the government vulnerable to costly project failures. Read More
Army to establish new autonomy command, acquisition executive
(Breaking Defense) The Army is standing up a new command and a new acquisition office dedicated to further prioritizing autonomous technology, according to a service spokesperson and a memo reviewed by Breaking Defense. The changes, first reported by Axios, come on the heels of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s newly announced initiatives at the Pentagon to create a new four-star command, called Autonomous Warfare Command (AUTOWARCOM), centered on drones and similar technology as well as a new working group on the future of defense. According to a Thursday memo reviewed by Breaking Defense and signed by Acting Army Secretary Adam Telle, orders the creation of the Army Futures and Autonomous Systems Command, or FASCOM. Read More
New federal contracting proposals could change who controls intellectual property
(Federal News Network) The latest round of proposals under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul would affect everything from intellectual-property rights to Buy American requirements and subcontracting rules. Together, they offer another look at how far acquisition leaders are willing to go in reshaping the federal procurement system. Terry Gerton: Many people have added the FAR Council’s latest drop to their fall reading list. As I understand, it’s got more pages than War and Peace, but came out a couple of weeks ago. I think like everybody’s favorite book, they have favorite chapters and characters. Read More