Initiative overview
Issued on 3 April 2025 by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), M-25-22 ('Driving Efficient Acquisition of Artificial Intelligence in Government') replaces the Biden-era M-24-18 and implements Executive Order 14179 ('Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence', January 2025). It applies to AI systems and services acquired by covered federal agencies under contracts awarded pursuant to solicitations issued from 30 September 2025 onwards (excluding National Security Systems and AI used incidentally). Three core policy themes: (1) fostering a competitive American AI marketplace — agencies must prioritise US-developed AI solutions; (2) safeguarding taxpayer dollars by tracking AI performance and managing risk — contracts must include performance monitoring, regular risk assessments, and minimum risk management practices for high-impact AI; (3) promoting effective AI acquisition through cross-functional engagement — agencies must involve legal, privacy, IT, and programme officials in acquisition. Key contract requirements include: data-use restrictions preventing vendors from training public AI models on non-public government data; IP and data ownership protections; vendor lock-in protections; privacy safeguards; and mandatory AI disclosure provisions. GSA was directed to release AI procurement guides by August 2025 and establish a best-practices repository by January 2026. Complements OMB M-25-21 on federal AI use governance.
