Federal procurement featured in new equity action plans

Improving access to federal contracting vehicles and supporting small, disadvantaged businesses are key parts in the equity action plans released by agencies on April 14.

The General Services Administration is making federal procurement a key focus of its first-ever equity action plan, aiming to increase investments in small disadvantaged businesses as the White House seeks to address systemic issues impacting underserved communities.

GSA, along with more than 90 federal agencies, unveiled its equity plan on Thursday. GSA's plan highlighted the role it plays in overseeing $75 billion worth of annual contracts and said it plans to center its equity efforts on three areas: federal procurement, federal buildings and federal technology design and delivery.

The plan identifies five major barriers impacting small, disadvantaged businesses (SDBs) from achieving equitable outcomes in the federal marketplace