Executive Order Reignites Push for Centralized Federal Procurement at GSA
In a move that revives decades-old debates about the role of centralized purchasing in government, President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, “Eliminate Waste and Save Taxpayer Dollars by Consolidating Procurement,” aims to shift the federal procurement landscape by bringing the purchasing of common items back under the authority of the General Services Administration (GSA). As reported by Tom Temin of Federal News Network, the executive order sets a 60-day deadline from March 20, 2025, for federal agencies to submit their consolidation plans, setting off a flurry of activity across procurement offices in Washington.
Emily Murphy, former GSA Administrator and now a senior fellow at the George Mason University Baroni Center for Government Contracting, shared her insights on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin. She emphasized that centralizing procurement has long been a goal of reformers but has repeatedly run into systemic and logistical hurdles. Historically, the push to consolidate began with the creation of GSA in 1949 under President Truman, but over time, inefficiencies crept in, earning GSA the nickname “Going Slowly Always” by the 1980s. Reforms in the 1990s decentralized much of the procurement process, creating competition and efficiency, but also fragmenting the government's purchasing power.
According to Murphy, the current moment may be uniquely suited for another shot at consolidation. There is growing momentum in Congress, evident in proposals like Senator Roger Wicker’s FORGED Act, and rising enthusiasm for procurement reform tools such as other transaction authorities (OTAs) and commercial solutions openings (CSOs). These developments suggest a political and operational appetite for streamlining government buying.
However, implementing the order will not be simple. Agencies must first identify what products and services fall under the “10 common categories” referenced in the order and determine which are suitable for centralization. Challenges include addressing overlapping expertise in areas like pharmaceuticals—where the VA and DoD may maintain their own procurement processes—and navigating issues of personnel transfer, funding, contract writing systems, and integration of financial software.
Murphy also highlighted that the executive order designates the GSA administrator as the executive agent for all governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs) for IT—a monumental task given the scope and complexity of those contracts. This part of the EO could signal the end of some long-standing vehicles like CIO-SP 4 or even prompt reconsideration of SEWP 6, depending on how GSA evaluates its priorities and customer needs.
Ultimately, while the order promises significant savings and efficiencies, it also demands strategic coordination, technological alignment, and workforce retraining. The success of this consolidation effort hinges not just on structure but on deep engagement with agency stakeholders and a clear-eyed approach to what should be centralized and what should remain decentralized. As Murphy noted, done correctly, this could transform federal procurement—but it won’t be quick or easy.
Disclaimer:
This blog post is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available reporting by Tom Temin of Federal News Network. While every effort has been made to accurately summarize the original article, we cannot guarantee the completeness or current accuracy of the information. This post does not constitute legal, procurement, or policy advice.
