Tech groups urge US Congress to pass SAMOSA Act

Tech industry groups are pressing US congressional leaders to pass the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets (SAMOSA) Act before the current congressional term concludes. The legislation has been awaiting passage for over a year and aims to improve federal agency oversight and management of software purchases.

The bill seeks to reduce unnecessary technology costs by mandating comprehensive assessments of current software management practices in federal agencies. The SAMOSA Act’s supporters argue that current practices, such as inflexible licensing agreements and limited integration capabilities, prevent agencies from adopting the most cost-effective solutions. In this case, the inefficiency can lead to waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. The Government Accountability Office has also emphasised the need for better software purchasing practices, highlighting redundancies and over-purchasing in the federal government’s IT spending, which exceeds $100 billion annually.

Why does this matter?

Given the potential cost savings and operational efficiencies, the bill has garnered broad support from major tech advocacy organisations, including the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing and the Alliance for Digital Innovation. Despite this, the passage of the SAMOSA Act remains to be determined due to the increasingly partisan nature of Congress. Advocates hope the bill will be attached to a must-pass piece of legislation, such as the National Defense Authorization Act, to ensure its enactment. However, concerns remain about potential implications for national security, which may affect the bill’s progress.