The Director of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy issued a memo to agencies aimed at improving the procurement process. The memo entitled, “Transforming the Marketplace: Simplifying Federal Procurement to Improve Performance, Drive Innovation and Increase Savings” encourages Government-wide acquisition practices for common products and supplies. The Strategic Sourcing Leadership Council is taking steps to implement Government-wide category management for purchasing common products and supplies. Products and supplies will be divided by category. A senior Government executive with appropriate expertise will manage each category. These managers are responsible for establishing “best in class” criteria to procure common products and supplies.
The memo also requires the Government to examine their own procurement regulations within 180 days and take steps to eliminate any outdated, ineffective, or unnecessarily burdensome requirements.
Agencies must also update their internal policy guidance regarding corporate experience requirements to ensure they do not prevent responsible sources from competing who otherwise have the capacity and capability to perform.
