But the draft does not stop at internal review of procurement performance. It would push OFPP to set up its own worker certification program or to partner with private, public-sector or nonprofit organizations to develop certification programs for federal procurement workers. Moreover, it would allow agency heads to pay professional organizations to conduct certification tests of federal employees. The training has to be good training. However, Ida Ustad, deputy associate administrator for acquisition policy at the General Services Administration, said the executive branch could accomplish most of what the bill calls for without legislation.
Some agencies question turning to outside organizations to assist with the certification process.
Field said DOT already has a competent procurement work force as well as performance-measurement, training and certification programs that are being modeled after DOD programs. Requires administration to set governmentwide training standards. Requires OFPP to measure procurement system performance.