Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act

Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act

This bill addresses software asset management practices by federal agencies.

The bill requires each agency to complete a comprehensive assessment of the software entitlements and software inventories of the agency and submit the assessment to the head of the agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the General Services Administration, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Congress.

Each agency must use the information developed pursuant to the assessment to develop a plan for the agency to (1) consolidate software licenses of the agency; and (2) adopt enterprise license agreements across the agency by type or category of software in order to improve the performance of, and reduce unnecessary costs across, the agency.

The OMB must submit to Congress a strategy that includes

• proposals to support the adoption of governmentwide enterprise licenses for software entitlements identified through the assessments and plans;
• opportunities to leverage government procurement policies and practices to increase interoperability of software entitlements acquired and deployed to reduce costs and improve performance;
• the incorporation of data on spending by agencies on, the performance of, and management by agencies of software entitlements as part of certain required information; and
• where applicable, directions to agencies to examine options and relevant criteria for transitioning to open-source software.

The GAO must report on governmentwide trends, comparisons among agencies, and other analyses of plans and strategy.

Bill 118 hr 1695, also known as the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act, aims to improve the way federal agencies manage and oversee their software assets. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 8, 2021, by Representative Yvette Clarke.

The main goal of this legislation is to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of federal agencies in managing their software assets. This includes ensuring that agencies have accurate inventories of their software licenses, reducing wasteful spending on unused or underutilized software, and improving cybersecurity by ensuring that agencies are using up-to-date and secure software.

The bill requires federal agencies to develop and implement comprehensive software asset management plans, which must include strategies for tracking software licenses, monitoring software usage, and ensuring compliance with licensing agreements. Agencies will also be required to report regularly to the Office of Management and Budget on their progress in implementing these plans. Additionally, the bill establishes a Software Licensing Program Management Office within the General Services Administration to provide guidance and support to agencies in implementing their software asset management plans. This office will also be responsible for developing best practices and standards for software asset management across the federal government. Overall, the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act aims to improve the way federal agencies manage their software assets, leading to cost savings, improved cybersecurity, and more efficient use of taxpayer dollars.