The Office of Management and Budget has created an
acquisition advisory panel to review government contracting,
the use of commercial practices, performance-based
contracting, and government-wide contracts, as authorized
under the services acquisition reform act.
“This nonpartisan panel consists of very capable and respected
individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds, both within
and outside the government,” said David Safavian, OMB’s
administrator for federal procurement policy.
At least one government watchdog said the panel is
“dominated by contractor advocates both inside and outside
the government.” The Project on Government Oversight warned
the lines are blurred between contractors and the federal
government, and faulted OMB for failing to include the
Government Accountability Office on the panel, or inspectors
generals or any one of “a growing number of critics of
trends in government contracting,” to ensure fair play.
OMB said the panel is required to submit a report its Office
of Federal Procurement Policy and both houses of Congress
within one year.
