GSA and the Basic Safeguarding of Artificial Intelligence Systems
GSA and the Basic Safeguarding of Artificial Intelligence Systems
https://www.thefai.org/posts/gsa-and-the-basic-safeguarding-of-artificial-intelligence-systems
Publish Date: 2026-04-03 14:06:00
Source Domain: www.thefai.org
- The submission comments on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) proposal under 552.239-7001 to rewrite contract terms for AI purchases through the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS).
- The aim is to support secure procurement, sound data protections, usable human oversight, and greater access to American AI technologies.
- The paper argues that as it stands, the proposed clause is likely to restrict the supplier pool, slow updates, and increase costs.
- It suggests maintaining a thin, non-waivable baseline and preserving targeted customizations at the order level to align with OMB’s AI-use guidance and risk management principles.
- Recommendations include avoiding turning the MAS baseline into a burdensome process and limiting provisions that conflict with commercial licensing and multifaceted delivery models.
- Oversight and documentation requirements advised to be limited to what agencies realistically need.
- Final suggestion to GSA is to retain a minimal essential baseline, allow targeted flexibility per order, and narrow the scope of several restrictive clauses to preserve access to advanced AI technologies.
