GSA's new chief acquisition officer to wear multiple hats

The General Services Administration announced on Monday the appointment of Michael Robertson, a top executive during Obama's presidential campaign, to be chief acquisition officer, an appointment that drew some questions about his procurement experience from federal information technology executives.

Robertson, who joined GSA in February as the White House liaison, will continue to serve in that role while also directing the agency's Office of Governmentwide Policy.

In his GSA roles, Robertson will be the first political appointee to serve as both chief acquisition officer and associate administrator of the Office of Governmentwide Policy since Marty Wagner did so under President Bush in July 2004. Danielle Germain, GSA chief of staff, said the move is intended to bring together the two organizations to leverage the agency's procurement role to shape future procurement programs and policies.

GSA announced on Tuesday that it would merge the Office of Acquisition Policy with the Office of Governmentwide Policy. "Both offices share a common mission, which they will better be able to fulfill under combined leadership, to guide policy and procurement across government and to increase effective management of government assets and efficient spending of taxpayer money," a GSA press release noted. "Originally part of the Office of Governmentwide Policy, the Office of Acquisition Policy was renamed Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer when they were separated in July 2004."

"There is a lot of opportunity with" the Office of Governmentwide Policy, said Karen Evans, who served as administrator for e-government at the Office of Management and Budget during the Bush administration. "This office was critical to my success during my tenure at OMB and can assist to drive change throughout the government."

GSA is well-positioned to drive procurement reform in the Obama administration, especially the White House's plan to shift jobs recently outsourced to contractors back to agencies, said Ray Bjorklund, senior vice president and chief knowledge officer at FedSources in McLean, Va. The chief acquisition officer would be responsible for providing guidance and overseeing the development of new procurement programs in GSA.

"To some degree, a lot of the ideas come from the rank and file," he said. "But the CAO in any agency is in a position to look a these programs and guide them. It's an oversight role."

Trey Hodgkins, vice president for national security and procurement policy with the industry group TechAmerica, said there always has been more than enough work for both positions, but he says one person can fill both roles. Robertson's political background will prove useful in heading up the Office of Governmentwide Policy, but Hodgkins said Robertson would have a lot to learn as the chief acquisition officer. "Procurement is arcane; there are many confusing issues," he said. "It's good that he understands that and is willing to learn."

Prior to his appointment, Robertson served as director of congressional affairs for President Obama during his election campaign, securing endorsements and superdelegate support from House and Senate members. Before that, he worked as legislative coordinator and deputy to the chief counsel for Obama when he was a senator from Illinois. In that role, Robertson managed the appropriations process, judicial nominations and promoted Obama's legislative priorities.

Two industry sources, both of whom asked not to be identified, questioned whether Robertson's lack of procurement experience might make it difficult for him to push procurement reform. One source called the appointment "very troubling" because the chief acquisition officer role and directing the Office of Governmentwide Policy are responsible for crafting overarching acquisition policies. But both sources added that Robertson's deputy, David Drabkin, would provide much needed procurement expertise.

"If the concern is that he hasn't been a long-standing federal acquisition type, we have lots of talented brilliant people in that area," GSA acting Administrator Paul Prouty told Nextgov. "That's not something we're even remotely concerned about. He brings in innovative leadership."

Prouty added that Robertson was chosen because of his leadership abilities and has been involved in "every move we've made" during the past six months.

When asked if Robertson has any specific acquisition experience, Prouty mentioned Robertson's leadership abilities and cited the fact that he is a lawyer. Robertson received his law degree from Golden Gate University School of Law and is currently working on a second law degree from Georgetown University Law Center's Masters of Law program.

"He's been here for six months, has worked with the acquisition team," Prouty said. "They are very comfortable with him in this role. He knows enough. If you're asking if he has the same technical ability based on 30 years' experience, he doesn't, but he has a team that does have that. He does have what's necessary to make sure acquisition experts have a voice."