Revamping Federal Systems: Innovations in Acquisition, Defense and TSP Management

August 16, 2024

Strategic Ideas to Strengthen the Federal Acquisition Service

Larry Allen, President of Allen Federal Business Partners, shared his insights on how the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) under the General Services Administration (GSA) can be strategically revamped to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. With the current GSA leadership nearing the end of its tenure, Allen sees this as an ideal time to implement substantial changes that could shape the future of the FAS. His five-point plan, which he details in his weekly newsletter, addresses some of the most pressing challenges within the FAS, such as the need for better management structures, financial accountability and operational cohesion. Allen emphasizes that the upcoming transition in GSA leadership offers a unique opportunity to realign priorities and streamline operations, ultimately enhancing the service’s ability to meet its goals. He also highlights the importance of empowering GSA leaders to make decisive choices, reducing undue influence from external entities and ensuring that all FAS programs are held to the same standards.

Key Takeaways:

1. Allen recommends creating a Schedules Management Office to centralize oversight and enhance communication across the GSA schedules program.
2. He proposes giving the Technology Transformation Service (TTS) 18 months to become self-sustaining or be phased out, ensuring it operates on par with other FAS programs.
3. Allen advocates for reuniting acquisition policy and operations to eliminate inefficiencies and improve support for contracting officers.

Modernizing Defense Acquisition through Technology Workforce and Policy Innovation

John Tenaglia, Principal Director for Defense Pricing and Contracting at the Department of Defense, provided insights into the evolving landscape of defense acquisition, particularly the importance of talent building within the department. He views talent development through two lenses: the capabilities the department needs to acquire to support national defense and the process of contracting itself. Tenaglia highlighted the critical role that collaboration between government and industry plays in efficiently delivering these capabilities to warfighters. He noted that the rapid integration of new technologies, especially artificial intelligence (AI), can significantly enhance acquisition processes, but he cautioned that these tools must be applied responsibly and ethically to ensure their effectiveness and trustworthiness. Additionally, Tenaglia stressed the role of policymakers in developing and piloting innovative concepts, ensuring that acquisition processes remain both rigorous and adaptable. He also discussed the current state of the DoD's acquisition workforce, describing it as strong and well-prepared to meet emerging challenges.

Key Takeaways:

1. Collaboration between government and industry is crucial for efficient and timely acquisition of warfighting capabilities.
2. AI and other technologies can enhance acquisition processes, but must be applied responsibly and ethically.
3. Continuous workforce development and strong leadership are essential for meeting the challenges of modern defense acquisition.

Evaluating the Challenges and Improvements in the TSP's Converge System

Jennifer Franks, Director of Information Technology and Cybersecurity at the Government Accountability Office, discussed the issues with the Thrift Savings Plan's (TSP) Converge record-keeping system, which encountered significant problems upon its deployment in July 2022. Franks identifies several key areas where the implementation faltered, including inadequate initial planning, insufficient testing and failure to meet critical milestones. The TSP's record-keeping system faced difficulties due to outdated legacy systems and gaps in policies and procedures. Key problems included compliance issues with federal requirements, inadequate contractor testing and poor training for staff managing customer inquiries. Despite these challenges, the TSP has been actively working to address the problems by engaging with stakeholders, improving customer service, and enhancing communication channels. Franks recommends expediting negotiations with the contractor to ensure better data transparency and timely performance oversight.

Key Takeaways:

1. The TSP's Converge system faced implementation issues due to inadequate initial planning and insufficient contractor testing.
2. Key problems included non-compliance with federal requirements and poor training for staff handling customer service.
3. The TSP is working on improving the system by enhancing customer service, communication and negotiating better data transparency with the contractor.