Ten federal officials have been appointed as Category Managers as part of OMB’s effort to centralize and streamline procurement.  What this means for contractors may be dependent on the market segment in which you operate.  The IT segment, now headed by former HP industry executive Kim Luke, is well underway with its desktop/laptop initiative that will definitely bring changes in that specific area.  Tiffany Hixson of GSA has been appointed the Professional Services Category Manager.  Hixson will likely focus on identifying best service acquisition practices and examine whether a more centralized approach to service acquisition makes sense.  Other category managers were appointed in such areas as supplies, real estate, and travel.  OFPP Deputy Administrator Lesley Field has said that it is not the intent that each focus area result in a new procurement, but it is unclear what, for example, the Professional Services initiative might do given that GSA recently completed the consolidation of its professional service Schedules.  In any case, contractors need to be engaged with Category management teams to understand what impact their work could have on federal business in their sector.  Communication remains key.  See the official OFPP announcement, with links to the list of managers, here