Big changes are coming to the General Services Administration. Leaders are planning to cut spending and reduce staff in a significant way, complex and critical tasks need to be considered.

    The new plan is to reduce expenses by 50% across all programs and personnel. This means fewer employees, but it goes deeper. GSA leaders notified all staff they expect big reductions in spending with a concrete deadline to notify administrators by Friday.

    The Federal Acquisition Service that helps other federal agencies buy tech and share technology products has big plans coming up. GSA leaders see this as a chance to upgrade and make their business more efficient, even if staff reductions have to happen. The agency’s acting administrator, Stephen Ehikian did not say when the cuts will start but mentioned that nonvoluntary staff reductions are likely soon, starting after February 6.

    The plan is not just about cutting costs.  The GSA is also looking for ways to improve operations, make technology better and save money for client agencies. The changes will see many operations being looked over this includes cutting redundant business functions and staff in certain regions of the country. This is part of a larger plan to evaluate everyone’s performance.

   Employees have been informed that there are no exempt positions at GSA. This big move towards agile operations is expected in line with the president’s new directives.  Also, no employee will be exempt from the forced reduction.  The agency is expected to go entirely back to on-site work from March 3.

    As for the property part of the GSA, less building space is needed and unused space will no longer be maintained. A new plan estimates a 50% reduction in federal space, both owned and leased, by using the space more effectively.

    Large renovations are expected, including GSA moving out of its Washington D. C headquarters. Employees are still in the dark about when and what will happen to these projects.

    The new plans are planned to improve operations and efficiency.  Some offices are expected to be closed and some will completely be moved. employees from different regions of the country are expected to provide their services wherever needed.

    Some former officials’s point out that GSA is a critical infrastructure for missions, “a place in government that is run like a company”  but at this point the new directives are something that hasn’t been witnessed before, "  with the president’s directives  and these cuts motion was made not taking into account potential consequences.

Budget and staffing overhaul planned for government service agency

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