For years, government contractors have asked for procurement reform. Now it’s here, sort of. With GSA taking the lead and new executive orders narrowing acquisition paths, federal buying is shifting, long overdue, but a bit messy.
In this episode of The Optimize Podcast, Chris Hamm, former director of the Federal Acquisition Service’s Assisted Acquisition Services, joins Jeff Shapiro. They discuss what’s actually happening behind the curtain. From the FAR rewrite to the future of Government-Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), Hamm breaks it down with both precision and perspective. This blog breaks down the key takeaways and why they matter for GovCon teams today.
So, GSA’s in Charge Now – But What Does That Actually Mean?
One of this year’s biggest changes in federal procurement: an executive order put GSA in charge of all GWACs. On paper, that sounds clean with consolidated contracts, central oversight, and more efficiency.
But as Hamm explains, real-world implementation is anything but simple.
“The complexity of taking something like OPM and giving it to GSA. You're talking about different systems, different contract types, different authorities. It's not a quick plug-and-play.”
The shift might streamline things in the long term. For GovCon teams planning ahead, it raises a key question. Will my go-to contract vehicle still be around next year? Will GSA’s compliance standards delay procurements that used to move quickly under agency-led models?
Throw in agency resource gaps, and the “centralized” model starts to feel like a jammed hallway with no exit.
GWACs Are Changing – and Not Everyone’s Thrilled
GWACs have long been a lifeline for IT contractors. Agencies have favored vehicles like NASA SEWP and NIH CIO-SP for their speed and flexibility. But with GSA asserting more control, those fast lanes may hit bottlenecks.
“There’s a reason NASA SEWP has been so successful. It’s run by a small team that really understands their customers. When you throw it under GSA oversight, you risk losing that intimacy and speed.”
The concern isn’t just about who runs the contracts, it’s about how. GSA’s cautious approach and extra oversight could delay timelines that many GovCon teams depend on.
For proposal managers and BD leads, this shift calls for serious recalibration. If the GWAC your team has relied on is about to become slower, more competitive, or more compliance-heavy, now’s the time to revisit your strategy. Don’t wait until the RFPs start drying up.
The FAR Rewrite: Reform or Rewording?
FAR reform has been a white whale for years. Now, with the “Rewrite the FAR Organization” (RFO) effort, real drafts are out and they’re surprisingly promising.
“We’re seeing new language that’s shorter, clearer, and frankly, smarter. They’re not trying to redo the entire wheel. They’re just cutting the bulk.”
Expect early changes to Parts 12, 15, and 16, with more flexibility granted to contracting officers. That’s a win for experienced acquisition pros but it could widen the gap between them and less seasoned COs.
For GovCon teams, this means proposal structures may evolve. You might see fewer prescriptive sections and more room to narrate value. But that freedom brings risk, especially when agencies don’t standardize evaluation criteria.
If your team hasn’t read the RFO drafts yet, now’s a smart time to assign some weekend reading.
AI Is Here. Are You Using It or Competing Against It?
It wouldn’t be a 2024 procurement conversation without talking AI, and Hamm doesn’t shy away. Proposal teams already use Large Language Models (LLMs) to summarize proposals and validate compliance. These tools even generate Section Cs with more structure than many human-written versions.
“Honestly, LLMs can already write better Section Cs than a lot of the content I’ve reviewed over the years. The quality and speed can’t be ignored.”
That’s not a threat. It’s a cue. If your proposal team is still treating AI as an outsider, you’re falling behind. You’re also at risk of being outpaced by tools that can draft in minutes what takes humans hours.
But here’s the nuance: AI won’t replace BD strategy, relationship building, or capture intelligence. What it will replace is inefficient writing, poorly managed templates, and manual compliance formatting. Use it wisely, and it becomes your edge.
So… Is It Actually Getting Better?
Yes and no.
Procurement is slowly shifting toward greater consistency, but that shift comes with growing pains. Centralization introduces questions. The FAR rewrite introduces ambiguity. And AI introduces an entirely new playing field.
This episode doesn’t pretend to resolve every unknown. What it does is surface the right ones. Helping GovCon teams see what to watch, plan for, and rethink in their next bid.
Hear the full conversation and start planning smarter:
Enjoyed the episode?
If you found it helpful, consider leaving a quick rating or review on your preferred podcast platform. It helps others in the GovCon community discover and benefit from these conversations.
