Spending watchdog tells National Science Foundation CIO to up game on tech procurement
The Register
February 19, 2026
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The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called on the National Science Foundation’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), Clyde Richards, to strengthen the agency’s approach to technology planning and procurement. In a letter released on February 12, the GAO outlined key recommendations aimed at improving IT management at NSF, including enhancing cloud service-level agreements (SLAs), overhauling contracts for high-value assets in the cloud, and conducting annual reviews of the agency’s IT portfolio. These measures are intended to ensure better accountability, efficiency, and compliance with federal requirements. The GAO emphasized the importance of standardizing SLAs with cloud providers and implementing clear remediation plans for non-compliance, as well as streamlining IT operations through regular portfolio assessments.
The recommendations also touch on cybersecurity, referencing the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014. The GAO noted that these “open recommendations” are designed to address ongoing challenges in government IT operations, particularly in areas like cost management and security. Richards, who has been in his role since July 2023, was urged to prioritize these changes, which align with broader efforts by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to standardize procurement practices across federal agencies.
The NSF, which manages a $9 billion budget, faces significant IT demands due to its extensive scientific research initiatives. The agency is currently transitioning management of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center to a third-party operator and developing a National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Operations Center. These projects highlight the importance of effective cloud procurement and IT infrastructure management. The GAO’s recommendations aim to help NSF optimize its resources, reduce costs, and enhance security, all while ensuring compliance with federal standards.
Richards’ efforts to modernize NSF’s IT operations come after years of challenges, including a close call with massive budget cuts under the Trump administration. The agency has also invested in initiatives like CloudBank, a $20 million grant program designed to provide researchers
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Originally published on The Register on 2/19/2026