Senate approves GSA reorg

The Senate on April 7 voted to allow the General Services Administration to proceed with the creation of the Federal Acquisition Service. With the Senate’s action and the House’s approval April 6, GSA is set to move forward on its long-awaited reorganization.

FAS will be formed through the merger of the agency’s Federal Supply Service and the Federal Technology Service.

“We are now positioned to begin FAS implementation and adapt to a marketplace that has grown far more complex and demanding over the decades,” said David Bibb, acting GSA administrator. “With this evolution, we will increase GSA’s value to our federal agency customers and the American taxpayer.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee’s Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which oversees GSA, approved the plans. House appropriations leaders gave their approval the day before. GSA delivered the plan to Congress Feb. 27, after a request for both appropriations committees to review it.

“My colleagues in the Senate and I are optimistic that the proposed reforms will bring about the new FAS,” said Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.), chairman of the subcommittee.

GSA officials said FAS will bring value by maximizing buying power and creating consistent and innovative processes.