General Services Administration news release (April 7, 2006): GSA receives final congressional approval to establish the Federal Acquisition Service.

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced today that its plan to create the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) has received final approval from Congress. FAS will be formed by the merger of GSA's Federal Supply Service (FSS) and the Federal Technology Service (FTS).

The plan was approved today by the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with oversight for the agency; House Appropriations leaders gave their approval on April 6. GSA delivered the plan to Congress on February 27, following a request for review by the House and Senate Appropriations committees.

"This is a great day for GSA and for the new FAS," said Acting GSA Administrator David L. Bibb. "We are now positioned to begin FAS implementation and adapt to a marketplace that has grown far more complex and demanding over the decades. With this evolution, we will increase GSA's value to our federal agency customers and the American taxpayer."

"I am pleased to report that the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies has given its full approval and support to the GSA plan for reorganization," said Senator Kit Bond (R-Mo.), chairman of the subcommittee. "My colleagues in the Senate and I are optimistic that the proposed reforms will bring about the new FAS, and I look forward to continuing to support GSA as the agency moves forward."

This new FAS will include five major customer centers, among these:

* Customer Accounts and Research (CAR). CAR will permit FAS to better understand customer requirements and become a strategic partner in helping agencies meet their requirements.

* Acquisition Management. The FAS emphasis on acquisition management will ensure that its activities are fully compliant with laws, regulations, and policies, and that operating practices are consistent across business lines.

* Integrated Technology Services. This portfolio combines the business lines from information technology, some professional services, and telecommunications.

* General Supplies and Services. This portfolio acquires a broad range of commercial products as well as some professional services, as well as GSA specialized logistics-based activities.

* Travel, Motor, Vehicle, and Card Services. This portfolio operates with respective supplier industries but shares commonalities for customers that provide opportunities for synergy and scale.

In turn, each portfolio will be comprised of various divisions in order to serve customer needs and establish GSA as the federal community's agency of choice when it comes to acquiring goods, services, and other workplace needs.

"We believe the new FAS will help GSA improve its support for federal agencies as they strive to meet the needs of the American people," said Acting FAS Commissioner G. Martin Wagner. "Congressional support for the new FAS was key to helping GSA institute a more effective and efficient agency that will offer timely solutions at excellent prices, thereby allowing agencies to concentrate on their core missions."

The new FAS competencies in acquisition excellence, program expertise, and policy compliance will provide value to the taxpayer by:

* Lowering the cost of government by efficiently leveraging the government's buying power to obtain the best value in products and services from suppliers at the lowest possible transaction cost

* Increasing value to commercial suppliers of all types and sizes, by creating consistent and innovative processes to offer their products and services to government agencies more efficiently.

Media contact is Neil Franz, [phone], or e-mail [e-mail].