# DLA Distribution hosts General Services Administration experts

/ Published April 12, 2024
NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa., 
Penny Grout, director, Office of Program Management for the General Services Administration, Federal Acquisition Service Office of General Supplies and Services, and other GSA experts visited Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Headquarters in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and toured the facilities at DLA Distribution Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, April 11.  

During her visit Grout engaged in discussions with DLA Distribution leadership and staff on their respective roles in supporting operations for the whole of government, including the military. She also toured the Eastern Distribution Center to witness ongoing modernization initiatives and learned more about specialized storage areas for temperature-controlled items and hazardous materials.

“We’re very proud to partner with GSA in any way we can,” said Perry Knight, deputy commander, DLA Distribution. “Working with you is a priority for us and we appreciate all you do for the warfighter.”

Knight facilitated the discussion highlighting the commands’ role as the Department of Defense’s joint storage and distribution provider, modernization efforts, expeditionary capabilities, and efforts to create a “culture of innovation” to attract and retain the workforce necessary to support the DLA Distribution mission now and in the future.

“Our transformation is a two-part process and as we look at how to manage the workload going forward, we need to make sure we have the skillsets and the processes in place to support it,” he said. Knight and the directors shared how automation, wireless technologies, LIDAR-mapping and network optimization efforts are helping shape the future of work at DLA Distribution.

“We are all in,” he said. “By fostering relationships and sharing expertise, agencies like GSA and DLA Distribution are better positioned to accomplish their missions and deliver value to the taxpayers.”

DLA Distribution experts provided a brief overview of the Warehouse Management System, an initiative that uses commercial, off-the-shelf software and offers benefits ranging from improved productivity and streamlined processes to better achieve audit readiness and reporting capabilities between DLA and customers.

During the tour of the 1.7 million square foot Eastern Distribution Center, Grout and her team saw first-hand the ongoing efforts aimed at boosting throughput capabilities. The team also learned more about how the command supports the GSA export and hazardous materials operations missions.

The General Supplies and Services delivers acquisition, logistics, supply, and personal property disposition support to the federal government. In her role, Grout serves as GSS Category Executive and liaison with the Office of Management & Budget for the Facilities & Construction Category.

After the tour, members of the GSA and DLA Distribution teams met in breakout sessions for further discussion.

Grout called DLA an “important partner” for GSA and said the visit was an excellent opportunity to see the DLA Distribution operation up close and how the two organizations could potentially partner together on other initiatives.