Kempf: OFPP's legacy is collaboration

The legacy of Dan Gordon in his days as administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy will be collaboration among agencies, a federal official said Nov. 3.

“Dan pushed hard to get federal agencies working together,” said Steve Kempf, commissioner of the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service.

Gordon, who’s leaving OFPP at year’s end, had agency officials using existing contracts across government. He had agencies sharing their resources, services and contracts so they could cut waste.

Related stories:

OFPP's Gordon to leave government for the classroom

Short tenures at OFPP hurt acquisition initiatives, experts say

“He is a staunch advocate for true collaboration,” Kempf said.

With Gordon’s efforts, FAS launched the Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative. FAS tackled domestic delivery services, telecommunications expense management services, office supplies and print management.

“I think this is most evident in his role as champion for the FSSI programs, which rely heavily on partnership with between industry and federal agencies,” he said.

After two years, Gordon has decided to become associate dean of government procurement law studies at the George Washington University. He starts his academic career on Jan. 1.

During his tenure at OFPP, Gordon has helped GSA by being one it FAS’ biggest supporters, Kempf said.

“From where I sit, I can say with certainty that he has left his mark on our agency,” he said. Gordon regularly reminded agency leaders and staff “that FAS was doing great work, that we are the best kept secret in government.”

Since his confirmation in 2009, he’s talked about federal buying power. Strategic sourcing is a means of getting lower prices by the shear number of possible purchases of typical needs, such as domestic delivery services.

In September, Gordon said, “For too long, the government has purchased as if it were hundreds of medium-sized businesses, rather than the world’s largest purchaser.”

Asked what Gordon would be remembered for, Kempf said, “In a word—collaboration.”

Gordon's Myth Busters Campaign, which sought to break down the misconceptions about both sides of the procurement process, is a groundbreaking effort, Kempf said. It embodies the principles of collaboration by bringing all the players to the table. The intent was promoting partnership, transparency and communication between government and industry.

Industry groups said Gordon helped to calm a suspicious relationship between government and industry.