The State Department is embarking on a transformation in how it performs acquisition. It’s moving to a category management approach, organizing procurement around the primary categories of spend. In addition, it’s launching a lifecycle management approach to help streamline and standardize procurement workflows.
State can look to USAID, among other Federal Agencies, for successful transformations. State’s Acquisition office will be initiating annual “procurement planning conferences” with their internal customers to learn what they may be buying. USAID’s Business Forecast is even more valuable in its regular updates and sharing with potential contractors and recipients.
State wants to establish a secure, end-to-end system, much like USAID’s Global Acquisition and Assistance System (GLAAS), which integrates review, approval, contract/grant-making negotiations, funding, and payment approval. It is working well after being rolled out over 15 years ago.
State also plans on introducing a USAID-like Contract Review Board (CRB) to examine larger contracts to ensure appropriate clauses, terms, and conditions. Such a review is also a means of limiting the risk of protests.
