OPM makes Copilot, ChatGPT available to its workforce; Meta offers Llama AI models to government for free - The Daily Scoop Podcast

Summary4 min read

The Daily Scoop Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Title: OPM Makes Copilot, ChatGPT Available to Its Workforce; Meta Offers Llama AI Models to Government for Free
Host: Billy Mitchell
Date: September 22, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers key updates on how leading federal agencies are expanding access to advanced AI tools, focusing on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) making Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT available to its workforce, and the General Services Administration (GSA) finalizing a deal with Meta to provide Llama AI models to federal government agencies for free. The episode explores the context and implications of these moves, with insights about ongoing federal tech modernization and AI adoption strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. OPM Grants Workforce Access to Copilot and ChatGPT

OPM has enabled Microsoft Copilot (via Microsoft 365) and ChatGPT 5 access for its entire workforce.
- Microsoft Copilot chat became available last Monday (prior to the episode date).
- ChatGPT 5 access is rolling out over the next few days.
- Both tools are accessed at "deeply discounted rates" thanks to GSA contracts (OneGov initiative); Copilot was added at no additional cost to OPM.
OPM Director Scott Cooper positioned the change as part of "our broader effort to equip you with AI tools that can help you work faster, think bigger and collaborate better. Calling for OPM to lead the way in using AI thoughtfully and effectively starting now." (Billy Mitchell, quoting Cooper, [01:36])
- Employees are urged to use best judgment.
- Upcoming training by the Office of the Chief Information Officer is mentioned.
Further expansion: OPM will soon enable GSA USAI, a tool for agencies to test and access multiple AI models from a single service.
OPM is also providing free AI trainings and courses, including a Vanderbilt University course on "creating your own custom AI assistants." (Billy Mitchell, [02:51])
- Feedback: While AI tools aid with basic tasks, concerns remain among staff about improper use, especially as training is currently voluntary.

2. Meta's Llama AI Models Now Free to Federal Agencies

GSA's new deal with Meta grants agencies free access to Llama models and associated tools for AI development.
- The arrangement emphasizes that, due to LLAMA's open-source basis, agencies maintain full control over data processing and storage.
- This follows a federal push—under the Trump administration—to integrate emerging technologies and streamline workflows.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said, "We want to ensure that all Americans see the benefit of AI through better, more efficient public services." (Billy Mitchell quoting Zuckerberg, [03:32])
Josh Gruenbaum, GSA Federal Acquisition Service commissioner, highlighted LLAMA's "unique benefits for agencies along with government use cases."
Context: Amazon previously gained authorization to allow Meta AI in high-sensitivity environments.
- OpenAI and Anthropic: Currently offering models to agencies for $1 each, per year.
- Google's "Gemini for Government" platform: Priced at about $0.47 for the first year.
- Recent Microsoft-GSA deal: Microsoft 365, Azure, Dynamics 365 at reduced cost for up to 36 months; Copilot free to Microsoft 365 customers for 12 months.

3. Federal AI Procurement and Authorization Landscape

The GSA and other federal agencies are striking a series of competitive AI deals to boost efficiency, with an eye toward cost savings, data control, and broad AI enablement across government.
FedRAMP announced a policy shift to prioritize AI cloud services for authorization to accelerate safe deployment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On OPM’s AI Empowerment:
- "This is part of our broader effort to equip you with AI tools that can help you work faster, think bigger and collaborate better. Calling for OPM to lead the way in using AI thoughtfully and effectively starting now."
  — Scott Cooper, OPM Director (via Billy Mitchell, [01:36])
On Federal Employees’ Experience:
- "An OPM employee told FedScoop that the AI tools have been useful for basic tasks, but they have concerns over the potential for improper use given that the trainings are voluntary."
  — Billy Mitchell, [03:05]
On Meta’s Government Commitment:
- "We want to ensure that all Americans see the benefit of AI through better, more efficient public services."
  — Mark Zuckerberg, Meta CEO (via Billy Mitchell, [03:32])
On AI Model Landscape and Deals:
- "OpenAI and Anthropic are currently offering their models to federal agencies separately for $1 per agency for one year, whereas Google rolled its Gemini for Government AI platform last month, which will cost agencies about 47 cents for the first year."
  — Billy Mitchell, [03:54]

Important Timestamps

[00:25] — OPM rollout of Copilot and ChatGPT
[01:36] — OPM Director’s vision and leadership call
[02:22] — Upcoming GSA USAI access and free training initiatives
[03:05] — Employee feedback on usefulness and concerns
[03:16] — Meta’s Llama AI deal and implications
[03:32] — Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to public sector AI
[03:54] — Overview of current federal AI product offers and deals
[04:23] — FedRAMP's prioritization of AI cloud services

Episode Tone & Style

The tone was factual, informative, and brisk—highlighting policy changes and practical implications with succinct quotes from agency officials and industry partners.
Language was neutral, direct, and aimed at government leaders and tech professionals.

For further updates on government technology trends and federal AI adoption, the episode ends by recommending listeners visit FedScoop.com.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:01]
A
Today on the Daily Scoop podcast from the Scoop News Group, OPM makes Copilot and ChatGPT available to its entire workforce, and Meta offers its llama AI models to government for free in a new GSA deal. It's Monday, September 22, 2025. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast, where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. All right, let's dive into the day's top headlines. The Office of Personnel Management is rolling out Microsoft Copilot and OpenAI's ChatGPT to its workforce following a similar move by the Department of Health and Human Services. According to internal emails obtained by FedScoop, OPM director Scott Cooper told workers that Microsoft 365's Copilot chat became available last Monday and that ChatGPT 5 access would be available over the next few days to all workers. Cooper said the move is, quote, part of our broader effort to equip you with AI tools that can help you work faster, think bigger and collaborate better. Calling for OPM to lead the way in using AI thoughtfully and effectively starting now, unquote. OPM spokeswoman McClorine Pinover confirmed one of the emails sent by Cooper about access to the two tools. She said both offerings were the result of deals the General Services Administration has inked with companies to provide services at deeply discounted rates as part of its one Gov initiative. In addition to that, OPM was able to add Copilot to its existing subscription at no cost with Microsoft's new GSA contract in place. Similar to the HHS rollout, Cooper cautioned workers using the tools to still use their best judgment and previewed training from the Office of the Chief Information Officer. More AI offerings are on the horizon for the agency. Punover told FedScoop that OPM plans to enable access to GSA USAI in the near future. Launched last month, USAI is a tool that aims to allow federal agencies to access and experiment with multiple AI models through the same Service, according to two screenshots obtained by FedScoop. On top of the two new tools, OPM is also providing employees with free AI training and courses. In one screenshot, a course called OpenAI, creating your own custom AI assistants was listed, apparently provided by Vanderbilt University. An OPM employee told FedScoop that the AI tools have been useful for basic tasks, but they have concerns over the potential for improper use given that the trainings are voluntary. Now, moving on to other news, federal workers will soon have the ability to use Metas LAMA artificial intelligence models at no cost for agencies under a new deal with the General Services Administration. GSA announced Monday morning that it had reached a deal with Meta, which will offer its open source AI models and tools to federal agencies for free. The federal acquisition agency emphasized that the open source nature of the LLAMA models allows agencies to retain full control over data processing and storage. Meta's free offer to the government follows deals from a number of other technology companies selling their products, namely AI products, to agencies for a significantly cheaper price. The Trump administration has repeatedly encouraged agencies to adopt emerging tech to streamline workflows. Mark Zuckerberg, co founder and CEO of Meta, said the company wants to ensure that, quote, all all Americans see the benefit of AI through better, more efficient public services. Josh gruenbaum, commissioner of GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, added that LLAMA has quote, unique benefits for agencies along with government use cases. It also comes after Amazon received federal authorizations earlier this year to allow Meta's AI models to be used within high sensitivity government computing environments. OpenAI and Anthropic are currently offering their models to federal agencies separately for $1 per agency for one year, whereas Google rolled its Gemini for Government AI platform last month, which will cost agencies about 47 cents for the first year. And earlier this month, Microsoft struck a deal with the GSA to offer its Microsoft 365, Azure Cloud Services and Dynamics 365 product at a discounted price for up to 36 months. As part of that, Copilot, one of Microsoft's more high profile AI products will be available to Microsoft 365 customers at no cost for the next 12 months. Amid the flurry of deals in recent months, Fedramp announced it will begin prioritizing certain AI cloud services for FedRAMP authorization. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com.
[04:41]
B
Thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, dc. Adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back tomorrow with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host as always, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.