Imagine if the government turned into purchasing software that no one even used. Shocking, right? That’s exactly what the DOGE software licenses audit at HUD found out. It determined hundreds of software program licenses sitting unused, even as the federal government quietly footed the bill. That’s your taxpayer money—now not working. This raised a simple but powerful query: How an awful lot greater is being wasted in different departments?
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), launched as a part of a responsibility push, carried out a deep dive into the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s software program use. What they determined turned into eye-opening—tens of thousands of licenses untouched. In this newsletter, we’ll break down the audit outcomes, what went wrong, how the government replied, and what it means for the future of public spending on virtual equipment.
What Was the DOGE Software Licenses Audit at HUD?
Background and Purpose
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created to address waste in federal groups. It’s a project? Cut unnecessary prices and sell smarter, spending.
Starting in early 2025, DOGE launched audits at numerous corporations; however, HUD—Department of Housing and Urban Development—has quickly become the center of interest. The intention changed into clear: perceive how many software licenses had been purchased, how many were being used, and where waste might be removed.
Audit Methodology
To uncover the fact, DOGE used a step-by means of-step audit technique:
Inventory Collection: Agencies submitted lists of all bought licenses.
Usage Analysis: Auditors checked which licenses have been in use.
Cross-Platform Evaluation: Software from providers like Adobe, Microsoft, ServiceNow, Java, and Cognos turned into reviewed.
DOGE’s findings were quickly shared on social media, turning the file into a countrywide discussion.
Key Findings from the HUD Audit
Let’s break down the hard numbers from the DOGE software program licenses audit HUD:
| Software/Product | Total Licenses Paid For | Licenses in Use | Unused Licenses |
| ServiceNow | 35,855 | 84 | 35,771 |
| Adobe Acrobat | 11,020 | 0 | 11,020 |
| Cognos | 1,776 | 325 | 1,451 |
| WestLaw Classic | 800 | 216 | 584 |
| Java | 10,000 | 400 | 9,600 |
DOGE concluded: “All are being fixed.” That meant canceling, reassigning, or renegotiating license contracts to cut waste immediately.
Other Agencies Showed Similar Waste
HUD wasn’t on my own. The identical audit procedure at other corporations revealed similar issues:
- GSA: Over 37,000 WinZip licenses for thirteen 000 employees.
- Labor Department: Paid for masses of Visual Studio licenses, notwithstanding it being free.
- Social Security Administration: Thousands of unused software subscriptions.
Why Was So Much Software Unused?
Understanding the reasons behind the waste allows us to avoid repeating these mistakes.
Top Reasons for License Overpurchase
- Bulk Discounts: Agencies frequently purchase in bulk to store consistent with-license prices, awaiting destiny boom.
- Contractor Reserve: Extra licenses are held for 1/3-party contractors or specialists.
- Tech Upgrades & Reorgs: During transitions, more licenses are temporarily needed.
- Lack of Central Oversight: Different departments shopping for one after the other creates duplication and confusion.
A former HUD procurement officer said that no longer all unused licenses are “waste.” Some are destiny-ready investments.
How Did HUD and DOGE Respond?
Immediate Actions
After the audit findings have been made public, DOGE introduced financial savings have already been made through:
- License cancellations
- Contract renegotiations for flexibility
- Policy updates around monitoring and oversight
HUD answered by pronouncing that the unused licenses were part of long-term virtual transformation initiatives, but agreed that oversight had to improve.
Public Reaction
DOGE’s posts on X (formerly Twitter) quickly went viral. Taxpayers, journalists, and watchdog agencies started out worrying about similar audits throughout all federal agencies.
The Bigger Picture: Cost and Policy Impact
Taxpayer Savings
By eliminating unused licenses, companies are already saving tens of millions of dollars. For instance:
- Over $five million is stored yearly from just a few canceled contracts.
- New contracts now encompass utilization-based pricing and early cancellation clauses.
Policy Reform: SAMOSA Act
Congress is now thinking about the SAMOSA Act (Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets), which might:
- Require yearly software program inventories.
- Mandate independent 0.33-birthday celebration audits
- Standardize procurement practices across federal businesses.
Challenges and Criticisms
Is All This Really Waste?
Critics argue that the audit consequences are oversimplified. Just due to the fact a license isn’t presently active doesn’t mean it isn’t wanted later.
Operational Risk
Canceling licenses too quickly can backfire if businesses need the software for:
- New hires
- Emergency operations
- Federal compliance
Strategic Spending vs. Cost-Cutting
Agencies should strike a balance between readiness and savings. Cutting too deep can sluggish down digital transformation tasks.
Best Practices for Software License Management
Here’s how groups (and groups!) can enhance:
1. Run Regular Audits
Check license utilization as a minimum once a 12 months. Use software equipment for automatic monitoring.
2. Centralize Procurement
All departments need to file with a single monitoring system for licenses.
3. Get Flexible Contracts
Choose carriers that allow scaling up/down as needed—avoid constant long-term offers.
4. Train Procurement Teams
Educate personnel on software asset management and license terms.
Table: Software License Audit Checklist
| Step | Purpose | Benefit |
| Inventory All Licenses | Know what software is owned | Avoid duplicate purchases |
| Analyze Actual Use | Compare real usage vs. purchases | Identify waste |
| Reassign or Cancel | Adjust allocations | Save money instantly |
| Negotiate with Vendors | Modify license terms | Get better value |
| Schedule Annual Reviews | Stay updated on needs | Reduce future overbuying |
What Private Companies Can Learn
Even in outdoor government, this is a treasured lesson for the private sector. Many groups overbuy software, in particular at some point of fast growth or remote work transitions.
Example: Tech Startup
A one-hundred-man or woman tech startup purchased a hundred and fifty Adobe Creative Cloud licenses—simplest 50 were ever used. After a mini-audit, they reduced the relaxation and saved $14,000 in keeping with yr.
Conclusion
The DOGE software program licenses audit at HUD wasn’t only an inspection of one employer’s spending—it was a be-careful call for the entire government. It uncovered a clear sample of over-buying and under-usage, costing taxpayers millions. But extra importantly, it confirmed that transparency and regular audits can power actual change. HUD and other businesses at the moment are moving in the direction of smarter license control, flexible contracts, and higher procurement practices. For both authorities and groups, this example proves that taking software program stock significantly is no longer non-obligatory—it’s crucial for efficiency and economic fitness.
