GSA to study ideas for organizational changes
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The General Services Administration's plan for reorganizing its operations is the latest chapter in its efforts to improve the way it does business.
The General Services Administration's plan for reorganizing its operations is the latest chapter in its efforts to improve the way it does business.
In 2003, GSA swapped some functions between Federal Supply Service and Federal Technology Service after undergoing a review and receiving recommendations from Accenture LLP of New York.
David Bibb, GSA's deputy administrator, said concerns raised by Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) about duplicative work within the agency were not the impetus for the recent moves to reorganize.
'We are aware of Davis' interest in the issue, but administrator Stephen Perry has constantly pushed GSA associates to do better,' Bibb said late last month at a luncheon in Washington sponsored by the Industry Advisory Council of Fairfax, Va.
But at least one industry expert considers GSA's move a step to take charge of the reorganization before Davis does.
'They are certainly doing this because of their oversight committee's desire to look at reorganization,' said Larry Allen, executive director for the Coalition for Government Procurement, a Washington trade association. 'They might take a prudent look at GSA as a whole anyway, but this allows GSA to take control of the timeline and process.'
Davis greeted the news of GSA's decision with optimism.
'It's good to see that we're all on the same sheet of music,' said Drew Crockett a committee spokesman. 'Chairman Davis is pleased that GSA is taking the initiative in reorganizing itself. The committee is continuing its efforts on the legislative front. This needs to be a collaborative effort,' and our work should be complementary.
GSA's decision to improve its operations follows a recent report by the Government Accountability Office that recognized governmentwide contract management as one of 25 high-risk areas in the federal government.
Davis said the agency's findings reinforce the need to take a look at the growing number of supply schedules.
'There are so many schedules out there, I'm nervous about the oversight and expertise they are receiving from contracting officers and agency procurement executives,' Davis said. 'As a whole, schedules are getting out of hand.'
Allen said Davis' interest was a positive sign for GSA.
'This is the good kind of pressure,' he said. 'Davis thinks highly of GSA and understands its importance.'
In a memo to agency employees, Perry called restructuring FSS and FTS a top priority.
The agency has set up four working groups that will study:
- Organization of FSS' and FTS' regional offices and the marketing and promotion of both services' offerings
- GSA financial management
- The agency's IT processes
- The IT and General Supply funds
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