Federal procurement policies prompt legislative response

House Government Reform Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., said he plans to monitor and possibly revamp the federal procurement process, which he contends needs to be better managed.

Davis is working with the administration to write legislation authorizing a plan -- already in the works at the General Services Administration -- aimed at correcting duplications.

Davis and GSA officials said the Federal Supply Service, which provides agencies with furniture and office equipment, and the Federal Technology Service, which dispenses computers, should be combined.

"The dual system made sense 20 years ago when IT investments were a relatively new phenomenon," a Davis spokesman said. "But now laptops and PC's are as ubiquitous as desks and phones."

Davis also is concerned about allegations of contract mismanagement at several GSA regional offices and would like to make it easier for the agency to recruit and retain employees, his spokesman said.

At a hearing on the issue last month, GSA Administrator Stephen Perry said the agency aims to complete the plan to merge the FTS and FSS by July. He said it would make it easier for federal agencies and contractors to use the system and eliminate the need to have separate accounting and administrative offices.

Government Reform ranking member Henry Waxman, D-Calif., said in a statement that while he planned to "keep an open mind," he was not sure consolidating the two agencies "seems like a natural fit." He said the move could de-emphasize technology procurement, making it more difficult for agencies to get up-to-date computers and other supplies.

A spokeswoman for Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Susan Collins, R-Maine, said she is unlikely to introduce any legislation on the issue but would "carefully consider any proposals sent over from the House" as well as plans submitted by GSA.

Collins sent a letter to Perry last month pledging to monitor the way the agency buys goods and services. She expressed concerns about a GAO report that found the agency could not provide documentation to show it was getting the best deal for the government.