President's Budget Lays Out Responsible, Job-Creating Agenda for GSA

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today President Barack Obama announced a proposed budget for fiscal year 2012 that will help our country win the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building our global competitors while taking important steps to put our fiscal house in order.  The new budget provides a path for the General Services Administration to invest in areas that create jobs while making responsible cuts in areas we can't afford right now. As American families tighten their belts during difficult economic times, so must the federal government.

"The President's proposal shows a commitment to the future of this country with a mix of investments in key areas that will ensure we're competitive in the global economy and responsible spending cuts that put us on a path to live within our means," said GSA Administrator Martha N. Johnson. "GSA will support the President's vision by helping the entire federal government cut costs while we work to build the industries that will create jobs through our innovative sustainable building and responsible purchasing."

GSA will work with the President to reach his goal of getting rid of the roughly 14,000 office buildings, lots, and government-owned properties we no longer need in order to save taxpayer money. In addition, GSA fully supports the President's efforts to expedite the process of disposing of underused federal properties and developing opportunities to co-locate more field offices.

GSA is uniquely positioned to help the entire government cut costs and get the best value for the taxpayer dollar through skilled negotiations and streamlined acquisitions with its Federal Strategic Sourcing Initiative. With FSSI we work closely with our partner agencies to analyze their purchases and find ways for them to save money. By leveraging GSA's access to better prices and better value for the goods and services that the government needs to buy we are making better use of taxpayer dollars.

Steve Kempf, Commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, said, "GSA will boost our collaboration with agencies throughout the federal government to help them save money and get the best value on their purchases – from technology and office supplies to fuel-efficient vehicles and travel services."

While we cut spending in areas we can't afford right now, we must also invest in areas we can't afford to neglect.  GSA will increase funding for renovations at our land ports of entry to make trade with our neighbors easier and more profitable for American companies.  These projects will also help Customs and Border Patrol better protect our borders from illegal immigration and drug smuggling, while also increasing trade and opening markets to American made products.

"Many of the land ports of entry are in need of repair and modernization; these necessary enhancements will reduce the backlog in trade across our borders that is hurting American companies," said Bob Peck, Commissioner of Public Buildings. "By investing in these border crossings we will give American businesses the opportunities they need to grow for the long term while we are creating jobs in the construction and clean energy industries while."

As GSA moves forward responsibly, we are investing in what helps us grow and cutting what doesn't, the agency will need to trim programs that, absent the fiscal situation, we would not cut.  

Johnson said, "The President's plan puts GSA on a path to invest in key parts of the American economy while we learn to live within our means so we can win our future."

As the federal government's workplace solutions provider, the U.S. General Services Administration works to foster an effective, sustainable and transparent government for the American people. GSA's expertise in government workplace solutions include:

• Effective management of government assets including more than 9,600 government-owned or leased buildings and 215,000 vehicles in the federal fleet, and preservation of historic federal properties;
• Leveraging the government's buying power through responsible acquisition of products and services making up approximately 14 percent of the government's total procurement dollars;
• Providing innovative technology solutions to enhance government efficiency and increase citizen engagement; and,
• Promoting responsible use of federal resources through development of government wide policies ranging from federal travel to property and management practices.

SOURCE U.S. General Services Administration