Could Gordon be especially thankful by Thanksgiving?

Dan Gordon, President Obama’s pick to direct the government’s policies on acquisition, goes for his confirmation hearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Nov. 10.

It’s a relatively quick turn around: The White House announced Gordon as its nominee to be the administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy on Oct. 2. And 39 days later Gordon is scheduled to testify.

It's not that fast for others. Another nominee who will play an important role in federal procurement is Martha Johnson, Obama’s choice to be the administrator of the General Services Administration. Obama nominated her April 3, but her confirmation hearing didn't come around until June 3. While the committee approved her nomination five days later, Johnson today is GSA administrator in waiting after a hold was put on her appointment.

Gordon has been acting general counsel at the Government Accountability Office since 2006 but has been at GAO since 1992. He manages 150 attorneys who support GAO’s work, including its acquisition audits and bid protest function. Gordon is well-respected and very knowledgeable in the procurement arena.

According to procurement observers and Gordon’s public record, Gordon has a clear-cut approach to procurement, backed by a wealth of experience, and reputation for candor and fairness.

With the OFPP job unfilled for 15 months and the many acquisition reforms coming from both Congress and the White House, how quickly will Gordon get the committee’s approval and the Senate’s blessing? Before Thanksgiving, possibly?

Posted by Matthew Weigelt on Nov 06, 2009 at 12:50 PM