WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the bipartisan Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act (SAMOSA Act). NetChoice calls on all Members of the House to vote YES on this critical legislation to modernize federal IT procurement, eliminate wasteful spending, and enhance national security.
“The SAMOSA Act is a common-sense solution to a multi-billion dollar problem. By voting YES today, the House can strike a blow against the wasteful ‘vendor-lock’ practices that have drained taxpayer resources for decades,” said Amy Bos, Vice President of Government Affairs at NetChoice.
“We applaud Reps. Connolly, Fallon and Mace for championing this effort. This bill will finally bring transparency to government contracting, forcing vendors to compete on merit and value rather than relying on restrictive licensing schemes.”
The federal government currently spends billions annually on software but often fails to leverage its purchasing power due to “vendor-lock,” a practice that allows incumbent software providers to trap agencies in restrictive contracts, leading to duplicated licenses, punitive audits, and inflated costs. The SAMOSA Act empowers agencies to break these shackles, negotiate better deals, and manage their software assets with the scrutiny taxpayers deserve.
“We strongly encourage the House to pass this bill with a bipartisan voice and send it to the Senate. It is a win for agency efficiency, a win for cybersecurity, and a massive win for the American taxpayer,” continued Bos.
Why the House Must Pass the SAMOSA Act:
- Massive Savings: NetChoice research by expert Michael Garland estimates that just a 5% improvement in price performance, driven by tackling vendor lock, could save the federal government up to $750 million annually.
- Better Security: Diversifying software vendors reduces the national security risks associated with over-reliance on single-source legacy systems.
- Fair Competition: The bill fosters a healthy marketplace where innovative companies can compete for government contracts, driving down prices and improving service quality.
You can read the SAMOSA Act here and find NetChoice’s research on “vendor-lock” practices here. Read IT expert Michael Garland’s recent paper with NetChoice on why the federal government must end vendor lock here.
Please contact press@netchoice.org with inquiries.
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