INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT COUNCIL MEETING NOTES

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

5/15/2006

[Joint IT/Professional Services Council Meeting -- 8:30 --
12:00]{.underline}

1.  [Welcome and Introductions]{.underline}

2.  [GSA Update -- Jeff Koses]{.underline}

    a.  Welcome Pat Brooks as the new IT Center Director.

    b.  This has been a time of change and turmoil for GSA. The
        reorganization has been long and messy. Coming to an end soon.
        Sometime between July and September the GSA Order should be
        signed. That's what makes FAS official.

    c.  There are signs that focus is being returned to where it's
        supposed to be:

        i.  Greater enhancement of virtual on-line stores

        ii. Partnerships to integrate data between GSA and customers

        iii. National marketing campaign in the works

    d.  As we launch FAS, Jeff would like us to consider the following:

        i.  *Seize and go with quick wins.* Would like the IGC to
            provide feedback on success stories and quick wins. There
            was much discussion around this topic. Several voiced their
            concern that quick wins is not going to repair the damage
            and that a more comprehensive approach is needed now. Quick
            wins must align with long term strategy. Industry requests
            to be part of the team to bring GSA back to its previous
            reputation. There is a lot of work yet to be done.

            1.  A quick win that Jeff elaborated on was the August
                release of Advantage! which will provide customers who
                use the system with spend data.

            2.  Jeff is seeking input. **Tagged for follow on discussion
                at the July 25^th^ IGC.**

        ii. *GSA Advantage!*

            1.  Good as a products search engine. Not so for services

            2.  Need industries input on how we can improve the search
                engine for services. **Tagged for follow on discussion
                at the July 25^th^ IGC.**

        iii. *Operational Consistency and Compliance*

             1.  Per Jeff, this is a huge issue with industry. There are
                 inconsistencies between acquisition centers and between
                 CSC's.

             2.  What are the flexibilities? Where are the
                 inconsistencies that create problems? **Tagged for
                 follow on discussion at the July 25^th^ IGC.**

             3.  Data (i.e. Transactional Data) -- useless to the
                 individual user. Very important to CFO and CAO level
                 (for Strategic Sourcing as one example). Follow on
                 conservation took place on strategic sourcing and its
                 application to services. Many felt that SS has not been
                 proven to be effective for the purchase of professional
                 services. The work that GSA is currently undergoing
                 with DHS will set precedent and determine if the
                 concept will fly.

             4.  Discussion about FPDS-NG: The question was asked what's
                 going on. Per Rick -- Teresa Sorrenti is working with
                 FX to facilitate a link. This is a long term strategy
                 that will take place in stages -- to include industry,
                 GSA, data collectors.

    e.  Follow on discussions took place on the reorganization. Industry
        expressed concern. How do you combine FTS and FSS and honor
        their differences? How are we making sure that the schedules
        program is not lost in the transition? Per Jeff -- There are a
        number of discussions taking place on this subject. There is
        growing recognition that Schedules, in and of themselves, are a
        viable solution.

    f.  Jeff: In the early 90's, when services were first introduced,
        agency requirements were static. They are now dynamic. If we
        remain aligned and offer new approaches we'll continue as a
        viable source. If we ignore and tell customers to use us as they
        always did, our business will continue to decline. We need to
        meet the next generation of challenges.

    g.  Dell: Inconsistency amongst centers. Industry needs an
        ombudsmen. Jeff: Acquisition Management (Trish Pierson in her
        new role) can help to standardize. New policies will come from
        the CAO's office but AM will be responsible for implementation.

3.  [Strategic Sourcing -- Kathy Carson and Pam Mine]{.underline}

    a.  Joe P: Has never seen a pure technical/professional strategic
        sourcing example (products -- yes). Don't multiple vendor BPA's
        serve as strategic sourcing? Isn't the schedules program, as
        currently administered, considered strategic sourcing?

    b.  Kathy: GSA needs to do a better job of communicating with
        industry.

    c.  IBM: Just identifying requirements does not help industry. Need
        to identify one ordering office, one invoice, one delivery. If
        you don't do that -- there is no reduction in costs to industry.
        There needs to be a partnership with limited members.

4.  [Transactional Data Mining -- Rick Figard (Contract Management
    Center)]{.underline}

    a.  Want and need industry input.

    b.  Needed for Strategic Sourcing initiative. It's what the
        customers want and are asking for.

    c.  How much spending? Who are we buying from? What contract
        vehicles are we using?

    d.  Looking at systems. Looking at what's currently in place and how
        we can best utilize them.

    e.  Jeff wants to set up committees from both the IT and MSC/FCX
        IGC's.

    f.  Follow on questions/comments:

        i.  At what level of reporting are we talking about?

        ii. Are we looking at property management databases? Yes

        iii. Is this government wide? Yes -- not just GSA.

        iv. Collecting data from industry is not the route we want to
            take -- it should be the last resort. Looking at other
            sources.

        v.  Kathy and Pam are going to each IGC to try to get input.

5.  Industry Update: Skip Derick (Attachment 1), Paul Pitera (Attachment
    2), Bruce Leinster

    a.  Army policy for using assisted services and non-DOD contracts.
        Strictest of all DOD. Go to
        <http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/specificpolicy/index.htm> for more
        information.

    b.  Open Ratings (attachment 3). Additional comment from Kitty
        Klaus: Open Ratings is a compilation of companies ratings based
        on the last 3 years. It is not just a rating based on the
        references you provide for the specific opportunity. (See
        attached "Open Ratings FAQ")

    c.  DOD Clarification Memo on the differences between self and
        assisted services. Memo is ready to go. Can't be released until
        the permanent Director of Defense Procurement (Shay Assad)
        reviews.

    d.  New Personnel: OFPP -- Paul Dennett. GSA -- Lurita Doan.

    e.  G&A

        i.  Inconsistent messaging. Inconsistency amongst and between
            centers and regions.

        ii. Regions making policy IAW direction from auditors. --
            Industry to GSA -- take ownership of schedules and policy.

    f.  Industry Concerns:

        i.  New Management

        ii. Senate Committee Approvals

        iii. Potential reduction in manpower and scheduled requirements

        iv. FAS Implementation

        v.  Level 3 Transactional Data

        vi. TAA

        vii. GSA/DOD audit report. Due out soon. Hopefully all green.

**[Services Acquisition/Management Services Centers IGC -- 1:00 --
3:30]{.underline}**

1.  IGC Program Feedback Survey Results -- Jeff Manthos (attachment 4)

2.  Contracting Issues -- Geri Haworth (also attachment 4)

    a.  Strategic Sourcing -- Update on current BPA's given by Houston
        Taylor

    b.  Homeland Security Presidential Elective -- 12

    c.  FY 2007 Defense Authorization Bill Section 823 -- State and
        Local use of Schedules for Disaster Relief and Homeland Security

    d.  GSA FY 2006 Goals -- (attachment 5)

3.  Transaction Data Mining -- Rick Figard

    a.  Skip -- What is being sought? Do we really know?

    b.  Rick -- Question back to industry -- what line item data do you
        keep?

    c.  Most agreed that the level of data being sought is not available
        from industry.

    d.  The following volunteered to be on a committee: Sean Allan, Joe
        Pastel, Howard Ady, Skip Derick

4.  Next meeting is scheduled for July 25^th^ in Seattle, Washington

5.  Meeting Rating:

    a.  Pluses: Lunch, CSI's, survey responses, joint meeting, Jeff
        Koses, GSA goals

    b.  Delta: CSI's, lack of attendance, not having Roger in attendance