The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has released a new policy aimed at strengthening oversight, transparency, and accountability across federal technology programs, while elevating the role of agency chief information officers (CIOs) in decision-making.
The memorandum, issued March 31, directs federal agencies to treat information technology as a core component of government operations and improve how IT investments are managed, reviewed, and shared across the enterprise.
A central focus of the policy is expanding the authority and visibility of CIOs. Under the new guidance, CIOs at major federal agencies must be directly involved in IT-related decisions and approve contracts for technology and digital services. Beginning in May 2026, those CIOs will also be required to submit monthly reports to OMB detailing approved IT contracts and agreements, including those tied to public-facing digital services.
OMB says this increased reporting is intended to improve visibility into federal IT spending and help agencies identify potential waste, fraud, and duplication, while aligning investments more closely across government.
The policy also pushes agencies to break down longstanding information silos in technology acquisition. Agencies are now directed to collect and share data on pricing, usage, and performance from IT vendors, and to ensure that new contracts include provisions requiring vendors to disclose that information.
That data must be standardized and shared across agencies in machine-readable formats, enabling more informed procurement decisions and supporting broader efforts to consolidate technology purchases and reduce costs.
OMB noted that better information-sharing across agencies will help the federal government identify best-in-class solutions, achieve economies of scale, and improve service delivery to the public while managing taxpayer resources more efficiently.
The memorandum applies primarily to Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act agencies, though broader guidance encourages adoption across government where feasible. Reporting requirements for CIOs are scheduled to run through October 2026, with the potential for extension.
Overall, the policy signals a continued push to centralize oversight of federal IT investments, strengthen accountability at the agency level, and improve how technology decisions are made across the federal enterprise.
Read M-26-10 here.
