GSA to discontinue DigitalGov Search service for local governments Feb. 28

NACo asks feds to extend DigitalGov Search engine, due to close to state and local governments Feb. 28 

The General Service Administration (GSA) recently announced plans to make significant changes to the scope of its DigitalGov Search service, including an end to program services to state, local and tribal governments.

GSA’s DigitalGov Search service, formerly known as USASearch, powers the search function on many federal, state, local and tribal government websites and is designed to help visitors of government websites quickly find information by typing keywords into a search bar. The DigitalGov Search service has been provided free of charge to government entities since it was launched in 2008.

In a message sent to local government agencies currently using the DigitalGov Search service, GSA officials note that as of Feb. 28, GSA will restrict the service to federal government agencies only, and all non-federal agency user accounts will be deactivated. GSA’s announcement came as a surprise to some non-federal users of the service, as the Feb. 28 suspension of service leaves limited time for agencies to budget for and procure a new vendor to provide similar services.

NACo has reached out to GSA’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs regarding the changes, but has not been provided with direct feedback as to why the service has been discontinued.  NACo will continue its efforts to seek an extension of the service, which will allow county governments enough time to seek alternate service providers.

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If  your county has used this service in the past or is being directly impacted by the recent changes, please contact Jacob Terrell, NACo associate legislative director for telecommunications and technology, at jterrell@naco.org or 202.942.4236 to share your thoughts.