software licensing Archives

Congress, U.S. Capitol Building, House, Senate — The dome of US Capitol is seen through a skylight from the Visitors Center on Oct. 14, 2021. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Major government tech contractors use monopolistic vendor-lock to drive revenue, study says

The report says Microsoft and Oracle received at least 25% to 30% of government sales over the last decade through less than fully competitive procurements.

Jan 30, 2023 By Nihal Krishan

Dome of the U.S. Capitol Building, Congress, House, Senate, Washington, D.C. — (REUTERS / Erin Scott)

2022 in review: FedRAMP reform enacted, SAMOSA Act progresses

FedScoop looks back at some of the most consequential developments in federal IT policy over the past year.

Dec 31, 2022 By Nihal Krishan

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 04: Early morning fog envelopes the U.S. Capitol dome behind the U.S. House of Representatives. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

House lawmakers introduce bill to overhaul how agencies buy software

The SAMOSA Act could significantly affect how federal agencies acquire software and IT services.

Nov 17, 2022 By Nihal Krishan

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 21, 2022: Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) listens as Transportation Security Administrator David Pekoske speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images).

SAMOSA Act could increase large software providers’ monopoly powers say acquisition experts

IT acquisition specialists caution that the legislation could affect the choice of software services available to agencies over the long term.

Oct 11, 2022 By Nihal Krishan

WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 11: Chairman Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) (R) speaks with Ranking Member Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger-Pool/Getty Images)

Bill to consolidate federal agency software contracts expected to progress in Senate

If enacted, SAMOSAA would compel federal agencies to purchase unlimited software contracts and require greater product interoperability among Big Tech companies providing services to government.

Sep 27, 2022 By Nihal Krishan

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 21: Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) listens as Transportation Security Administrator David Pekoske speaks during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images).

Lawmakers float cost-saving legislation to mandate consolidation of federal agency software contracts

Work on the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act is being led by committee chairman Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI.

Sep 9, 2022 By Nihal Krishan

Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va. at an Oversight and Government Reform hearing in 2014.

FITARA grades hold steady almost a year into pandemic

All agencies managed to ace the software licensing metric, resulting in its retirement in favor of one gauging their telecommunications transitions.

Dec 22, 2020 By Dave Nyczepir

Telework boom expanded an existing headache: keeping track of software licenses

More mobile devices, more updates to apps — agencies like the USDA and the Air Force are confronting how to keep track of what software is on…

Jul 17, 2020 By Dave Nyczepir

Microsoft, Microsoft Azure — (Getty Images)

Microsoft could score billions under recent DOD deals

It's no secret that the DOD likes Windows 10. One software contract is worth up to $3.17 billion, and another enterprise services deal could bring Microsoft $1.76…

Feb 14, 2019 By Billy Mitchell

Rep. Will Hurd. (Voices for National Service / Flickr)

FITARA Scorecard 7.0: Agencies take big steps forward with software licensing

The latest iteration of the so-called FITARA shows an upward trend for agencies, due in large part to improvements in software licensing.

Dec 11, 2018 By Billy Mitchell