MURPHY CONFIRMATION HEARING GOES SMOOTHLY. WILL THERE BE A “HOLD?”

The confirmation hearing for Emily Murphy to be the next Administrator of GSA went well for the nominee this week, with few tough questions on expected hang-up issues tied to federal real estate.  Murphy had obviously done her homework and tried to get ahead of expected questions, promising to address Public Building Service issues.  At the same time, she gave some hints on what her management priorities as GSA Administrator might be.  Competition, reducing waste, and increasing transparency are at the top of her list, with special emphasis on the Multiple Award Schedule program.  Murphy was more candid than many former Schedule managers when she likened the Schedule contract-level price to the “rack rate” price for a hotel room.  GSA must do a better job of promoting competition at the task order level, she said, to ensure that the prices federal agencies actually pay are competitive.  Murphy drew bi-partisan praise from Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee members.  As such, while it is still possible that a hold could be placed on her nomination to protest Trump Administration policies, such an action would likely come from outside the Committee.  If there is no hold, Murphy should be confirmed within 30 days.