Executive Order to Centralize Federal Procurement Under GSA: A Return to Past Practices
President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order aiming to centralize procurement operations within the General Services Administration (GSA), significantly altering federal acquisition practices. According to Jason Miller's detailed reporting on Federal News Network, this anticipated executive order would place GSA at the core of purchasing all common goods and services defined by the ten recognized categories under category management. This sweeping change marks a notable return to pre-acquisition reform strategies, reminiscent of federal procurement practices before significant legislative changes of the 1990s, particularly the Federal Acquisition Streaming Act (FASA) and the Federal Acquisition Reform Act (FARA).
Miller highlights how the order intends to reduce redundancy by consolidating governmentwide acquisition contracts (GWACs), especially those pertaining to Information Technology services. At present, such contracts are managed separately by GSA, NASA, and the National Institutes of Health’s IT Acquisition and Assistance Center (NITAAC). Under the new directive, the GSA administrator, in conjunction with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), would gain the authority to determine whether NASA and NITAAC continue administering major GWAC programs like SEWP and CIO-SP.
A critical component of the proposed reform is its timing and implementation. The draft executive order allocates just 30 days for agencies to prepare plans delegating their procurement responsibilities to GSA. Subsequently, GSA itself would have a tight 90-day window to present a detailed implementation strategy to OMB. Miller notes concerns among procurement experts regarding GSA's capacity to manage such an expanded role, particularly amidst existing plans to substantially reduce its Federal Acquisition Service workforce. This tension raises practical questions about staffing, resource allocation, and interagency coordination.
Moreover, Miller references historical resistance to similar consolidation attempts. During the Obama administration, efforts by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to streamline IT contracting vehicles achieved limited success, and prior attempts by former GSA Administrator Lurita Doan in 2006 faced significant pushback. The renewed centralization effort will need careful execution to overcome these historical barriers.
Lastly, the draft executive order's potential implications extend beyond procurement centralization itself. Miller's article signals possible broader impacts on agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Interior, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs, which currently exercise specific procurement and property authorities. Key unresolved questions include funding mechanisms for GSA-provided services, workforce adjustments across agencies, and preventive measures to ensure GSA does not become complacent, an issue identified in centralized procurement practices of the past.
In conclusion, Jason Miller's article provides a clear window into this critical development, underscoring both the intent behind this executive order and the challenges ahead. Federal agencies and contractors alike will closely monitor the implementation guidance and adapt their strategies accordingly.
This blog post summarizes information from Jason Miller’s article published on Federal News Network. It is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or professional procurement advice. Readers should consult with qualified professionals for guidance specific to their circumstances.
