CIOs, FTS, FSS among areas GSA is looking to restructure
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GSA is evaluating whether it needs separate CIOs in each of its three services and headquarters and how it could consolidate their IT systems.
The General Services Administration is evaluating whether it needs separate CIOs in each of its three services and headquarters and how it could consolidate their IT systems.
The study is a part of an agencywide reorganization effort that will develop five working groups to look at improving the way GSA accomplishes its mission, said David Bibb, the agency's deputy administrator, today at a luncheon in Washington sponsored by the Industry Advisory Council of Fairfax, Va.
GSA administrator Stephen Perry today sent a memo to agency employees outlining the reorganization plan. The goal of the reorganization is to improve GSA's customer service and internal operations, Perry said in the memo.
In addition to the CIO and IT functions, GSA's working groups will study the use of the General Supply Fund and IT Fund. GSA officials said in November that they will consider merging the funds [See GCN story]. Other working groups will look at the functions of GSA's chief financial officer, and the telecommunications and IT acquisitions of the Federal Technology Service and Federal Supply Service.
'Do we really need a CIO for FTS, FSS, the Public Building Service and the administrative part of GSA?' Bibb asked. 'We may not necessarily combine everything under one CIO, but it is something we need to take a look at.'
Along with the five working groups, which began operation earlier this month, Perry established a steering team to document the scope of work done by FTS and FSS and identify where the services can improve. Perry set a deadline of July to finish the reorganization strategy for FTS and FSS business lines and administrative functions.
'The timeline is not linear, meaning if we find things that need to be fixed in the first month, we will fix them,' Bibb said.
GSA's decision to reorganize followed comments by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), chairman of the Government Reform Committee, that he will hold hearings and may introduce legislation to restructure GSA this year.
But Bibb said Davis' plans have little to do with GSA's decision to reorganize.
'We are aware of Davis' interest in the issue, but administrator Perry has constantly pushed GSA associates to do better,' Bibb said.
Bibb said a report by Accenture LLP of New York in 2002 set the baseline for the restructuring effort [See GCN story. GSA swapped some functions between FTS and FSS in 2003 based on the Accenture's recommendations.
Bibb said GSA likely will bring in a contractor to help with the latest restructuring strategy.