U.S. federal employees using ChatGPT Enterprise in a secure office environment, part of a new OpenAI–GSA partnership aimed at modernizing government operations through AI. Image Source: ChatGPT-4o
OpenAI Offers ChatGPT Enterprise to Federal Agencies for $1
Key Takeaways:
OpenAI has partnered with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) to offer ChatGPT Enterprise to all federal executive branch agencies.
Each agency can access the service for a nominal $1 fee for one year, a move designed to remove cost as a barrier to adoption.
The initiative supports the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, which prioritizes the use of AI across federal operations.
Participating agencies will receive 60 days of unlimited access to advanced models and features like Advanced Voice Mode and Deep Research.
OpenAI is also offering custom training tools, security assurances, and partner support through Slalom and Boston Consulting Group.
OpenAI Expands into Government with $1 ChatGPT Enterprise Deal
OpenAI is making a bold move to expand its presence in the public sector by offering ChatGPT Enterprise to the entire U.S. federal workforce for a symbolic $1 per agency for the next year through its OpenAI For Government program. The initiative, announced via OpenAI’s official blog, marks a first-of-its-kind partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
“This effort delivers on a core pillar of the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan by making powerful AI tools available across the federal government so that workers can spend less time on red tape and paperwork, and more time doing what they came to public service to do: serve the American people,” the company wrote.
The agreement positions OpenAI to gain early traction over rivals like Google and Anthropic, which were also added this week to the GSA’s list of approved AI vendors. All three companies will now be available via the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contracting platform, allowing agencies to access pre-approved AI services without negotiating separate contracts.
It’s unclear whether other providers will offer similar low-cost entry points. However, GSA Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum publicly encouraged “other American AI technology companies to follow OpenAI’s lead and work with us,” according to TechCrunch.
Full Federal Access, with Training and Guardrails
As part of the agreement, OpenAI will provide the following to all participating agencies:
Universal Access to ChatGPT Enterprise: Every agency within the federal executive branch will receive access to OpenAI’s leading frontier models through ChatGPT Enterprise for a nominal fee of $1 for one year. This includes a 60-day period of unlimited use of advanced models and features such as Deep Research and Advanced Voice Mode.
Educational Tools and Training: OpenAI is offering a range of support to ensure federal employees can confidently and effectively use AI. This includes access to a dedicated government user community, tailored introductory training through the OpenAI Academy, and custom training platforms. Learning opportunities will be delivered both directly and through partner-led sessions, enabling employees to explore and apply AI tools in real-world workflows.
Deployment Support from Trusted Partners: To help agencies implement ChatGPT Enterprise securely and responsibly, OpenAI is partnering with Slalom and Boston Consulting Group. These firms will provide guidance on deployment, integration, and strategic adoption tailored to public-sector needs.
Security and Compliance at the Core: ChatGPT Enterprise is designed to meet the high security standards required by government agencies. The platform does not use business data—including user inputs or outputs—to train or improve models. These same safeguards will apply to federal use. Additionally, the GSA has issued an official Authority to Use (ATU) for ChatGPT Enterprise, signaling full compliance with federal security and data handling protocols. As a GSA spokesperson told TechCrunch, “The government is taking a cautious, security‑first approach to AI. This ensures sensitive information remains protected while enabling agencies to benefit from AI‑driven efficiencies.”
“By giving government employees access to powerful, secure AI tools, we can help them solve problems for more people, faster,” OpenAI wrote.
OpenAI cited results from early state-level pilots to highlight AI’s practical benefits. In Pennsylvania, public workers using ChatGPT saved an average of 95 minutes per day on routine tasks. In North Carolina, 85% of participants in a 12-week pilot with the Department of State Treasurer reported a positive experience with the tool.
Federal agencies interested in participating should have their CIO, Chief AI Officer, or designated representative contact the National Customer Service Center at [email protected], or OpenAI directly at [email protected].
Q&A: OpenAI’s Federal ChatGPT Deal
Q: What is OpenAI offering to the U.S. government?
A: OpenAI is providing ChatGPT Enterprise to federal executive branch agencies for $1 per agency for one year.
Q: What does the offer include?
A: Agencies receive full access to ChatGPT Enterprise, 60 days of unlimited use of advanced features, and training tools for public servants.
Q: Is this part of a government AI strategy?
A: Yes, it supports the Trump administration’s AI Action Plan, which aims to integrate AI into government services.
Q: How is data security being handled?
A: ChatGPT Enterprise does not use business data to train models, and it has received GSA’s Authority to Use (ATU) certification.
Q: Who else is on the GSA’s AI vendor list?
A: OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic have all been approved, but only OpenAI has announced a $1 pricing model so far.
What This Means
This agreement represents a pivotal moment in the mainstreaming of AI within the U.S. government. By making ChatGPT Enterprise available across the federal executive branch for just $1 per agency, OpenAI has positioned itself as the first mover in large-scale public-sector AI deployment.
It’s not just a symbolic gesture. The deal places OpenAI ahead of competitors like Google and Anthropic, which were added to the GSA’s vendor list but have not matched the pricing or deployment scale. That advantage could translate into long-term adoption, as government agencies standardize on tools, workflows, and training programs built around OpenAI’s models.
It also reflects growing momentum behind the federal government’s AI Action Plan, which aims to accelerate AI use while maintaining oversight, transparency, and security. By combining low-cost access with strong compliance protocols, the deal shows how AI tools can be integrated into public service without compromising sensitive data or operational integrity.
At the same time, this move creates a live testbed for what secure, responsible AI use can look like at scale. If successful, it could shape future standards—not just for public agencies, but for how enterprises and institutions adopt AI nationwide.
In that way, the $1 pricing is more than a discount. It’s an investment in becoming the default AI infrastructure for U.S. institutions.
Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.