GPO names new acquisition chief

The Government Printing Office has named agency veteran Herbert H. Jackson Jr. as its new chief acquisition officer.

Jackson, whose career has spanned 27 years at GPO, will be responsible for directing procurement decisions for the agency, which spends millions of dollars on technology and information systems each year. He was the acting chief acquisition officer since last fall.

In the past few years Jackson was intricately involved in the agency’s two highest profile information technology contract awards. He worked with the State Department to develop and award the multimillion dollar contract for the production of new e-Passports.

Jackson also was GPO’s contracting officer for the acquisition of GPO’s Federal Digital System (FDsys) — an ongoing project through which GPO plans to create an online warehouse of a wide-range of federal documents.

“Herb’s successful leadership in the e-Passport and FDsys acquisitions are examples of why he is the ideal person to lead our acquisition area,” Public Printer Robert Tapella said in a statement.

Jackson does not need to be confirmed for his new position.

The year 2008 is important for GPO as the agency plans to release the system publicly for the first time, with certain capability limitations, by the end of the year.

By the end 2008 GPO hopes FDsys will replace GPO Access. It will:

• Let users submit content (files), including audio/video and metadata.


• Let federal agencies submit federal procurement orders electronically.


• Integrate the system using the Integrated Library System.


• Make version information available.


• Convert native files into PDF.


• Allow information to be viewed on multiple IT formats, such as Windows, Linux and Mac.


• Let users establish profiles.