GSA #10136

February 2, 2005
Contact: Deborah K. Ruiz (202) 501-1231
deborah.ruiz@gsa.gov

Washington, D.C. – The management of the U.S. General Services Administration’s broad range of acquisition activities will now fall under the eye of Emily W. Murphy, GSA's new Chief Acquisition Officer, the agency announced today.  Her appointment is effective February 20.

“Emily’s experience and success in the private and public sectors are strong indicators of her abilities in procurement and government contracting,” said Administrator Stephen A. Perry. ”I’m confident that she will contribute significantly to GSA's commitment to provide excellent acquisition services to federal agencies.”

The GSA Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer is responsible for managing a broad range of acquisition activities including: ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies; fostering full and open competition for contract awards; developing the acquisition workforce; and accountability for acquisition decision-making.  Ms. Murphy also will be charged with managing the “Get It Right” plan, GSA’s integrated approach to achieving excellence in acquisition and proper use of GSA contracting vehicles government-wide.

Ms. Murphy served most recently as a senior advisor for government contracting and business development and acting associate administrator for government contracting at the Small Business Administration where she was the senior procurement executive directing government-wide programs in assisting small businesses to access federal procurement opportunities.

“I am honored to serve Administrator Perry and the President in this capacity,” said Ms. Murphy. “This office opens the way for a more focused and successful operation of GSA’s acquisition efforts and consequently, a better return to the American taxpayer. I’m pleased to be part of these important initiatives.”

Ms. Murphy gained her expertise in procurement, contracting, compliance, government relations and small business as legal counsel in the private sector in the District of Columbia and Virginia, representing clients on a broad range of government contracts issues and related legislative and regulatory matters, and by handling procurement issues for the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on Small Business.  

A 1995 graduate of Smith College, Ms. Murphy earned her law degree from University of Virginia School of Law in 2001.   A native of St. Louis, Mo., Ms. Murphy currently resides in Arlington, Va.

GSA is a centralized federal procurement, property management and policy agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public. It acquires, on behalf of federal agencies, office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services. It also plays a key role in developing and implementing government-wide policies. GSA, comprised of 13,000 associates, provides services and solutions for the office operations of over one million federal workers located in more than 8,000 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.