# GAO Flags Federal Cloud Procurement Data Gaps

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that 22 of 24 CFO Act agencies rely primarily on historical procurement and contract data to make cloud-purchasing decisions, even though those data can be imprecise because a contract may carry only one product or service code. Agencies also reported cost-control challenges, conflicting guidance, outdated acquisition rules, and difficulty obtaining authorized cloud solutions. For procurement teams, these findings point to weaknesses in cloud-spend visibility and acquisition processes, while creating potential work for contractors that can support cost analysis, acquisition modernization, and cloud compliance.

- Agencies and contractors can use the findings to prioritize better cloud-cost visibility and more reliable procurement data for purchasing decisions.
- Contractors offering acquisition support can evaluate opportunities to help agencies address outdated rules, conflicting guidance, and barriers to obtaining authorized cloud solutions.
- Cloud providers and service firms should account for agencies’ reported cost-control and authorization challenges when shaping solutions and proposals.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Information Technology
**Topics:** Cloud Services
**Published:** October 25, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

### Sources
- [22 of 24 federal agencies rely on cloud-purchasing data GAO calls imprecise. Agencies also reported cost, guidance and outdated-rule problems.
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