GAO’s August 2025 report on SSA’s IT acquisition workforce finds staffing, data, and training gaps amid procurement consolidation to GSA. With IT obligations declining and services dominating spend, federal contractors should expect longer cycles, tighter oversight, and more competition on GWACs—and respond with friction-reducing proposals and measurable outcomes.

OMB’s new directive to centralize federal procurement would make GSA vehicles the default, accelerate FAR updates, and require strong business cases to consolidate operational contracting. Emily Murphy explains implications for small businesses, category management, and agency autonomy—and why measured optimism is warranted for faster, cleaner buying.