GSA Announces Changes to Assisted Acquisition Service
GSA #10401
September 7, 2007
Contact: Viki Reath, 501-1231
viki.reath@gsa.gov
WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration today announced a robust cost-recovery plan for the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) Assisted Acquisitions Services (AAS) business line that will make it a more economically viable, protect the affected GSA employees, and deliver best value to taxpayers.
The Assisted Acquisition Service (AAS), within FAS, provides acquisition, technical and project management services for other federal agencies.
“Successful businesses know that to maintain a cycle of risk taking and entrepreneurialism, it is not enough to launch new programs, you have to also have the courage and willingness to modify programs that are not meeting expectations. Peter Drucker, the management guru, taught us that important lesson. Assisted Services is a work in progress, a strong business line whose services are very much in demand,” said Administrator Lurita Doan. “However, we needed a plan to align AAS costs with actual and projected revenue. The steps we’ve outlined today are key to achieving our objective.”
From a broader perspective, the Administrator said today’s action “fulfills the promise I made during my confirmation hearing to bring fiscal discipline and entrepreneurial energy to all areas of GSA, pave the way for future financial stability and growth, and ensure GSA’s place as the federal government’s premier acquisition agency.”
Administrator Doan, working with FAS Commissioner Jim Williams, has moved decisively, using best business practices and her respect for GSA employees, to balance the budget by realigning resources in AAS by moving approximately 250 of its workforce to other positions within FAS or other parts of the agency where they are needed. FAS is not planning to submit any early-out/buy-out request packages to OPM at this time, nor are Reductions in Force (RIFs) part of the AAS Cost Recovery Plan.
In addition, FAS is changing and adding to the types of services offered, expanding into new areas in professional services related acquisitions, implementing both pre-award and post-award acquisition services for agencies that are conducting internal acquisitions, and providing assistance to agencies with its new contracts: VETS GWAC, Networx, SATCOM-II, HSPD-12, Alliant, Alliant SB, and the IT Expanded Direct Delivery program.
“While AAS’s revenues remain strong, our resources are not properly aligned with our current level of business,” Williams stated. “With this in mind, we are taking steps to reduce our expenses. However, I assure our customers that our level of service will not be impacted. We will continue to offer value-added, customized acquisition, project management, and financial management services designed to ensure that our customers get the outcome they need when they need it.”
AAS currently directs, and manages FAS’ assisted acquisition solutions programs. It provides a variety of expert technical, acquisition, and project management support services to FAS customers.
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Founded in 1949, GSA serves as a centralized procurement and property management agency for the federal government. GSA manages more than one-fourth of the government’s total procurement dollars and influences the management of $500 billion in federal assets, including 8,300 government-owned or leased buildings and 170,000 vehicles. GSA helps preserve our past and define our future, as a steward of more than 420 historic properties, and as manager of USA.gov, the official portal to federal government information and services. GSA’s mission to provide superior workplaces, expert technology solutions, acquisition services, purchasing and e-travel solutions and management policies, at best value, allows federal agencies to focus on their core missions.
Did You Know? FAS annual sales of $56 billion account for more than one-sixth of the entire federal procurement budget. FAS manages acquisition programs that include information technology, telecommunications, furniture, tools, office products and supply items, and all travel, motor vehicles and credit card services.
