The memo requires that agencies assure that privacy officials have early, ongoing involvement in AI acquisition processes. Image: eranicle/Shutterstock.com
OMB has issued the latest in a series of guidance under the wide-ranging 2023 executive order on agency procurement and use of artificial intelligence, focusing on managing risks and performance with additional requirements regarding promoting a competitive marketplace and collaboration among agencies.
Memo M-24-18 “includes best practices and specific requirements for managing AI risk and performance, with additional requirements for acquiring AI use cases associated with rights-impacting and safety-impacting AI,” says a White House fact sheet.
Among other provisions related to risk management and performance, the memo requires that agencies: assure that privacy officials have early, ongoing involvement in AI acquisition processes; determine when an acquisition would trigger additional risk management requirements for rights-impacting and safety-impacting AI; and assure that contracts obligate vendors to provide sufficient information to identify and manage risk.
Provisions related to promoting a competitive workplace include: incorporating acquisition principles designed to minimize vendor lock-in when establishing contractual requirements; explicitly considering interoperability and transparency during market research, requirements development, and vendor evaluation processes; and leveraging innovative acquisitions practices to secure good contractor performance and mission outcomes.
The memo also instructs agencies to “work together to share lessons learned to inform future policy and procedural efforts to support effective and responsible acquisition of AI,” it says, including by identifying and prioritizing AI investments that best serve an agency’s mission; developing the capacity to deploy any acquired AI; and promoting adoption of cross-functional best practices for the duration of use.
Senate Eyes Vote to Pay Federal Employees Working Unpaid
Series of Bills Offered to Address Shutdown’s Impact on Employees
Public Starting to Feel Impact of Shutdown, Survey Shows
OPM Details Coverage Changes, Plan Dropouts for FEHB/PSHB in 2026
Does My FEHB/PSHB Plan Stack Up? Here’s How to Tell
2025 TSP Rollercoaster and the G Fund Merry-go-Round
See also,
TSP Takes Step toward Upcoming In-Plan Roth Conversions
5 Steps to Protect Your Federal Job During the Shutdown
Over 30K TSP Accounts Have Crossed the Million Mark in 2025