Board flags GovDelivery 'bot' subscriptions; defers monetary awards until tracking confirms savings

The board discussed two related suggestions about GovDelivery subscriptions that staff said appear to involve fake or bot-generated accounts inflating subscriber counts and increasing agency costs.

Monica Garvajal summarized the evaluators' findings: "This was regarding gov delivery accounts, fake or bot generated subscriptions that inflate subscriber counts and increase agency costs." Evaluators recommended a modified adopt with tracking rather than immediate monetary awards because savings could not yet be reliably quantified. Board members asked staff to defer any cash awards until automated tracking can confirm realized savings, and staff said the portal will automate that tracking through 07/01/2027.

Members noted variation across agencies: one agency (Watech) reported stronger review processes and did not see the same risk of misuse, while others agreed tracking was prudent. The board approved staff recommendations for the related evaluations with the understanding that cash awards would be deferred pending automated verification of savings.