Dive Brief:
- Former Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Defense Department and agency acquisition staff have begun pressing President Trump about his choice to lead the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), Federal News Radio reported Monday.
- Citing the previous administration's focus on category management and transactional data, the push is for someone better acquainted with the acquisition workforce, and for less industry oversight.
- Strong leadership and an understanding of what constitutes intelligent risk are two important aspects of what's needed in OFPP leadership.
Dive Insight:
As a result of the hiring freeze on government staff, an increase in the need for outsourcing and/or contracting within the private sector is a likely outcome.
Contractors will also likely increase as a result of President Trump's $1 trillion investment wager in improved infrastructure. Even if the amount ultimately spent falls short, construction contractors could be called upon to complete approved projects. Further, the planned increase in cyber security within the military will require IT specialists, who could also be outside the scope of current government staff.
Furthermore, if Trump is able to remove regulatory burdens as he has promised, the private acquisition community, particularly for smaller companies, will stand to benefit the most.
