Senate committee approves OFPP nominee

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has approved Paul Denett's nomination to become administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy.

The full Senate now must approve the nomination before Denett can be sworn in to the post. OFPP is part of the Office of Management and Budget.

The Bush administration nominated Denett in April. He was vice president of contracting programs at ESI International, and had served in procurement leadership roles at the Interior and Treasury departments.

Robert Burton, associate administrator of OFPP, has been acting as administrator since the 2005 resignation and indictment of David Safavian on charges related to his dealings with lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Safavian was eventually convicted of four felony counts for lying to investigators.

Denett, in his confirmation hearing earlier this month, told lawmakers that his priorities for OFPP would include improving training for acquisition officials and transparency and performance metrics for contracts.