OpenAI Introduces 50% Government Discount, Replacing the $1 Per Year Deal

Bloomberg Technology reported on September 10, 2026, that OpenAI is implementing a new public sector pricing strategy. [1] The company is providing United States government agencies with a direct 50% discount on its artificial intelligence models. [1] This updated framework marks the official conclusion of a previous arrangement where these federal organizations paid exactly $1 per year for access. [1]

The transition from a near-free $1 per year model to a 50% discount suggests OpenAI is moving toward monetizing its government contracts more aggressively, even while offering significant subsidies. While the source does not detail the previous usage caps or specific models included, a shift to percentage-based discounting typically indicates a move toward usage-based billing rather than flat-rate token access. What the sources don't address: How much revenue OpenAI expects to generate from this new pricing model, or which specific agencies will be impacted.