Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer (OCAO)

The organizational office that supports a federal agency’s Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) and provides leadership for the agency’s acquisition and procurement functions. The Office of the Chief Acquisition Officer (OCAO) develops acquisition policies, oversees procurement operations, promotes competition, ensures compliance with federal acquisition laws and regulations, manages acquisition workforce development, and drives continuous improvement across the agency’s acquisition programs. While the specific responsibilities of an OCAO vary by agency, the office is generally responsible for strengthening procurement governance and ensuring acquisitions effectively support the agency’s mission. At the General Services Administration (GSA), the OCAO reports directly to the Administrator and oversees the agency’s acquisition enterprise.