On June 10, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee held a nomination hearing that was largely devoid of politics for three Biden administration nominees, including Robin Carnahan to head the General Services Administration (GSA). When asked by Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) about increasing federal agency procurement through GSA, Carnahan responded that she was interested in making it easier for agencies to be able to buy through GSA schedules and make sure taxpayers are getting the best price and best value. The lack of fireworks at the hearing bodes well for her confirmation by the full Senate later this year.
The GSA, considered America’s landlord, owns and leases over 376.9 million square feet of space in 9,600 buildings nationwide. Additionally, through GSA, the federal government is one of the largest purchasers of goods and services in the United States. IIBEC remains troubled that some companies are offering design services for real property on the GSA schedule. Last year, IIBEC worked with Representative David Price (D-NC) to include appropriation language directing GSA “to not award or facilitate the award of any contract for the provision of architectural, engineering, and related services in a manner inconsistent with the procedures in the Brooks Act (40 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) and part 36.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.”
IIBEC looks forward to working with Carnahan, should she be confirmed, to address this critical issue.
Boling joined IIBEC in early 2021. He focuses on increasing IIBEC’s influence on federal, state, provincial, and local public policy, helping shape codes and standards, expanding IIBEC’s influence in the building industry, and increasing the relevance and value of IIBEC’s policy positions. You can reach him at jboling@iibec.org.
