AS CATEGORY MANAGEMENT TAKES SHAPE, CONTRACTORS SHOULD TAKE NOTICE

With the naming of 10 managers for such acquisition categories as facilities management, office management, and buying green the Office of Federal Procurement Policy is bringing their Category Management program into sharper focus.  Each category leader has been asked to submit an initial action plan to OFPP by mid-March.  Contractors need to understand how their market segments may change as a result of the Category Management initiative.  OFPP leaders have said that it is probable that not every segment will see a new, discreet acquisition, but that each segment will seek to improve small business access and adherence with other applicable procurement rules.  The good news is that OFPP is encouraging category managers to talk extensively with industry.  Dialog has already been exceptionally good, for example, on one of the initial exercises to streamline desktop and laptop procurements.  Sitting back and allowing your competitors to shape the future doesn’t seem like a sound business strategy so companies need to get involved.

Check out more on this developing issue at the OFPP acquisition.gov website.