Editorial: Yes, GSA does matter

Two weeks ago in this space, we asked the question: Is the General Services Administration worth saving? We believe it is — particularly today. And we believe the agency is taking some important steps to address its current problems.

A certain frothiness has developed around GSA, which has left the agency’s employees, customers and those in industry on red alert. We hope and believe GSA is taking steps — in public and in private — to be open about its problems. This is important because the agency will not be able to move forward until people are convinced that its leaders are fully aware of where the agency is not working before they can truly have faith in the proposed fixes.

The cliché is that from adversity comes improvement. GSA’s leaders have a window of opportunity right now to make important changes — changes that may have been too difficult or impossible before — that will put the agency in a better position for the years to come.

GSA’s work is not always sexy. People don’t vie to become the next GSA administrator. But it can — and should — provide critical help that will allow agencies to focus on their missions. This is particularly true as agencies have slashed the number of procurement executives. GSA can — and should — be a vital adviser in helping agencies do their jobs efficiently.

Perhaps what is most frustrating is that today’s GSA is a far cry from the agency that David Barrum led from 1996 to 2000. During Barrum’s tenure, the agency was a place where people wanted to work, an agency that was brimming with enthusiasm, passion and new ideas for how to help agencies do their work better, faster and with less cost.

We believe GSA can get its mojo back. Furthermore, if agencies are going to do their work well, it is important that GSA get that zeal back.