GSA is implementing a number of important initiatives to strengthen its acquisition activities. Administrator Stephen A. Perry recently established the Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer. This new division reports directly to the Administrator, and is headed by the current GSA Chief of Staff, Karl Reichelt.

"Establishing this office at the highest level in our organization reflects the importance of our acquisition responsibilities which truly are at the heart of GSA's core mission of providing acquisition services on behalf of other federal agencies." Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer (OCAO) is responsible for managing a broad range of acquisition activities including: ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies; fostering full and open competition for contract awards; developing the acquisition workforce; and accountability for acquisition decision making.

Mr. Reichelt, appointed Chief of Staff in January 2004 after two years as GSA's Regional Administrator for the Northeast and Caribbean Region, said that "as immediate goals, GSA needs to ensure robust competition for federal government business; heightened development of the governmentwide acquisition workforce; and aggressive actions to fortify the integrity of acquisition activities of contracting officers, government agencies, and the private vendor community."