OpenAI ends its $1 government pilot program, offering US federal agencies a 50% discount on advanced AI models.
OpenAI has ended its temporary promotional program that allowed United States federal agencies to test its artificial intelligence systems for just $1 per year.
Under a new commercial arrangement managed through federal procurement channels, the software company is moving public government clients onto standard usage based pricing models.
To keep advanced digital helper tools accessible for government work, OpenAI is granting federal agencies a steep fifty percent discount off standard commercial rates.
The updated pricing structure allows government workers to deploy cutting-edge artificial intelligence tools, including the company’s powerful new GPT-6 Astra system, for administrative tasks, public data analysis, and internal department research while paying only for the exact computing capacity they use.
The major pricing shift was formally confirmed by the United States General Services Administration on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
Operating out of Washington, D.C., federal procurement officers updated public agency contracting guidelines to reflect the transition from fixed promotional trials to permanent enterprise licenses.
Over the past year, dozens of federal departments across the United States used the initial low cost pilot program to test how artificial intelligence can streamline daily government routines, handle heavy paperwork, and improve public services.
The primary reason OpenAI is ending the $1 per year trial now is that federal agencies have moved beyond early testing into heavy daily usage.
Operating complex artificial intelligence systems requires massive electrical power, specialized computer servers, and costly technical maintenance.
While symbolic $1 contracts allowed government offices to experiment safely with software tools, running millions of daily automated tasks requires a sustainable long term business model.
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By offering a 50% discount instead of charging full commercial rates, OpenAI balances its operational expenses while ensuring public agencies can scale up their digital software deployment smoothly.
Explaining how the pricing change helps public sector offices expand their software capabilities, federal procurement updates noted that “OpenAI is ending the $1 per year pilot that gave US federal agencies its models and moving them to usage based pricing at a 50% discount”.
Detailing why special pricing terms remain critical for public sector software adoption, technology market analysts reviewing the update noted that “though it represents a price uptick from last year’s deal, the 50% discount is designed to make it easier for agencies to test and scale artificial intelligence tools”.
Highlighting that federal workers now get direct access to next generation software features under the new contract structure, government procurement officers confirmed that the framework includes “the company’s new GPT-6 Astra model” to support ongoing federal operations.
By transitioning from a $1 trial to a fifty percent discounted rate, OpenAI is solidifying its partnership with the United States government.
Providing discounted access ensures that public sector agencies can run fast, modern, and reliable digital tools while managing taxpayer budgets responsibly.
About the Author
Jennifer Sakmufuwo Baba is a tech analyst, senior staff, and writer covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity , and emerging technologies at TechRegard. Based in Nigeria, she's passionate about translating complex tech developments into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences. Her work focuses on how technology shapes innovation across Africa and globally.
