Federal
Federal contractors: how to speak SI without overclaiming
Agencies will start using the new terms. Here is how to match their language in proposals and briefings without making claims you cannot support.
Will agencies use "SI" in solicitations?
Expect it. The order covers official correspondence, public communications, websites, reports, and policy documents. Freshfields advises federal contractors and grant applicants to anticipate agencies using the new terminology in solicitations and correspondence.
Existing contracts and regulations are not rewritten, so you will see both terms side by side for some time.
How should I word proposals?
Mirror the buyer. If a solicitation says Super Intelligence, answer in Super Intelligence. Practical patterns:
- Introduce the term once in full: "Super Intelligence (SI)."
- Keep "AI" where a statute, contract clause, or prior award uses it. Do not edit quoted language.
- Describe what your system does in plain verbs: reads, schedules, drafts, routes, checks, reports.
- Keep "AI" in your public subtitle and product pages so commercial buyers still find you.
What claims should I avoid?
Anything that implies the order approved you. Avoid these:
- "SI-certified," "SI-compliant," or "approved under the executive order."
- Any suggestion of White House, administration, or agency endorsement.
- Saying private companies are required to rename their products.
- Security certifications you have not completed. If your architecture is designed to a standard but not audited, say exactly that.
Where are the real openings?
Follow the programs. The White House ties the order to the Genesis Mission, with more than $5 billion announced, to America's AI Action Plan from July 2025, and to the National Super Intelligence Policy Framework from March 2026.
The Genesis Mission, launched by executive order on November 24, 2025, directs the Department of Energy to build an AI platform that connects federal supercomputers and scientific data. Agency modernization and the framework's legislative recommendations are the other places to watch.
What should I watch next?
- The federal definition. The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology is directed to propose one. Freshfields notes it could shape incentives, export controls, and compliance obligations.
- Procurement language. Watch for "SI" in new solicitations from your target agencies.
- Congress. TechRepublic notes bigger effects would come if Congress writes the term into law and procurement rules.
A one-minute checklist
- Proposal templates updated to "Super Intelligence (SI)" on first mention
- "AI" kept in public subtitles and product pages
- No certification, compliance, or endorsement language tied to the order
- Security claims match what has actually been audited
- Calendar reminder to check for the federal definition
Frequently asked questions
Should federal contractors use the term SI?
Yes, where agencies use it. Mirror the solicitation's language, introduce "Super Intelligence (SI)" once in full, and keep AI where a statute or contract uses it.
Does the order make a product SI-compliant or certified?
No. The order is not a certification, license, or grant, and it does not make any company compliant or approved.
Where are the federal opportunities tied to Super Intelligence?
The White House ties the order to the Genesis Mission, America's AI Action Plan, and the National Super Intelligence Policy Framework. Agency modernization is another area to watch.
Sources
- Trump Executive Order Mandates Shift to "Super Intelligence" Freshfields, October 1, 2026
- Trump Signs 'Super Intelligence' Order: What Actually Changes for AI TechRepublic, September 30, 2026
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Inaugurates The Era of Super Intelligence The White House, September 29, 2026
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Unveils the Genesis Mission to Accelerate AI for Scientific Discovery The White House, November 24, 2025
Super Intelligence AI is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the White House, the Trump Administration, or any federal agency or program. This article is general information, not legal advice.
