Number: RL33068
Title: Acquisition Services Reorganization at the General Services Administration
Authors: Stephanie Smith, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: In January 2004, GSA's Inspector General reported that certain FTS procurement specialists acquired goods and services through the IT Fund in a manner not consistent with the fund's congressionally authorized procedures. In order to improve the agency's accountability, the GSA Administrator issued his own formal administrative plan for reorganizing the FSS and FTS into a unified Federal Acquisition Service. Although the GSA Administrator could have approved an agency reorganization without congressional approval, legislation was needed to authorize the creation of a General Services Fund to replace the existing congressionally authorized FSS/FTS funding structure. In the 109th Congress, H.R. 2066 was passed in the House on May 23, 2005, to statutorily establish GSA's Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). The Senate passed an amended H.R. 2066 on September 6, 2006, by unanimous consent. The Senate amendment to the original House bill removed a requirement that GSA appoint five regional executives to the FAS. House bill H.R. 2066, as amended, passed the House on September 25, 2006, by voice vote, and was signed into law as P.L. 109-313, on October 6, 2006. GSA announced its revised organization plan for FAS regional offices on October 12, 2006.
Pages: 15
Date: December 4, 2007