New Report Released: Key Considerations for Responsible AI Procurement in the Public Sector
August 5, 2025
Taraaz and the Collaborative Research Center for Resilience (CRCR) are pleased to announce the publication of “Key Considerations When Procuring AI in the Public Sector,” a new report designed to support responsible, transparent, and rights-respecting AI procurement by U.S. local governments.
Developed in collaboration with the AAAS EPI Center, the report offers practical guidance to ensure that government adoption of AI technologies upholds civil rights, public accountability, and democratic freedoms. It centers the public interest in procurement decisions, especially as AI tools become increasingly embedded in government infrastructure.
The report is grounded in interviews with public sector staff and procurement experts, and draws on real-world case studies. Key topics include:
Education, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Sharing
Documenting Third-Party Dependencies
Navigating Large and Small Vendors
AI Demos and Pilots
Master Service Agreements and Add-on AI Features
Performance-Based Contracts and Co-Ownership
Public Engagement, City Workforce and Union Inclusion
Safeguards Against Function Creep and Surveillance
Responsible Use of Model Contracts
Featured Webinar
The report was also featured in a webinar hosted in partnership with AAAS and the National League of Cities (NLC), with speakers:
Cynthia Conti-Cook (CRCR)
Leila Doty (City of San Jose, GovAI Coalition)
Roya Pakzad (Taraaz and the Mozilla Foundation)
Kate Stoll, Ph.D. (AAAS EPI Center)
Gisele Waters, Ph.D. (AI Procurement Lab, IEEE Standards Association)
The project was made possible through the generous support of the Rose Foundation’s Consumer Privacy Rights Fund.