GSA REORGANIZATION – What will Change?

“We are cautiously optimistic about the ‘new and improved’ GSA,” said Chris Jahn, President of the Contract Services Association (CSA).

On August 4, 2005, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced the details of its new organizational structure, which will combine the Federal Technology Service and Federal Supply Service into a single Federal Acquisition Service, with six regional offices. The FAS national office will set policy and take the lead on agency initiatives.

“The direct reporting to headquarters, as well as a consolidation of the regional offices, is a tremendous improvement under the new structure. This will improve efficiencies and consistency with policy guidance and operations,” noted Jahn. “In the past, customers and industry were frequently confused about what was being done or how things were done, how they were priced, and what they were paying for. These inconsistencies have long been a major source of problems identified by GSA-initiated audits of the various Regional CSCs and they often led to ‘answer shopping’ across Regions until one found an answer he liked. The new organizational structure should address that concern.”

“In addition, GSA is putting the right people in place to accomplish its new and challenging mission” said Jahn. For example, Ms. Deidre Lee, Director of Defense Acquisition and Procurement Policy, is taking over as the head of newly created FAS. “We are very excited about Dee’s new role at FAS – she brings a lot of energy and know-how to her new position. With her in charge, the new FAS in good hands,” said Jahn.

Jahn sounded a cautionary note, however, over language included in the Senate’s version of the FY06 Treasury and Transportation Appropriations bill, as approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee approved bill would prohibit GSA from using FY06 funds to implement its reorganization structure. “Should that language ultimately be enacted, then the GSA plans will never come to fruition,” he said.

CSA has participated in several congressional hearings and GSA “Industry Days,” providing comments on issues that GSA should consider as it reorganized. CSA also is a founding member of the “One GSA Coalition,” which was formed to facilitate vendor communications with GSA, and is comprised of associations representing thousands of GSA Schedule and Multiple Award Contract Holders. CSA and the “ONE GSA Coalition” expect to have continued dialog with GSA as it undertakes this new challenge. For copies of CSA’s previous statements on the GSA reorganization, go to the CSA website at www.csa-dc.org.
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CSA is the nation’s oldest and largest association of service contractors representing over 200 companies that provide a wide array of services to Federal, state, and local governments.  CSA members perform over $40 billion in Government contracts and employ nearly 500,000 workers, with two-thirds of CSA companies using private sector union labor.  CSA members represent the diversity of the government services industry and include small businesses, 8(a)-certified companies, small disadvantaged businesses, women-owned, HubZone, Native American owned firms and global multi-billion dollar corporations.  CSA promotes Excellence in Contracting by offering significant professional development opportunities for government contractors and government employees, including the only program manager certification program for service contractors.  For more information on CSA, go to:  www.csa-dc.org.