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GSA to cut 577 schedule vendors, 31 SINs

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4 months ago

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The General Services Administration is targeting as many as 577 schedule holders for removal in the next six months.

These are companies who have either not met their sales quota in the last year or have performance or compliance issues.

Additionally, GSA is planning on removing 31 Special Item Numbers (SINs) under the schedules program, including several that average less than $25,000 in annual sales. These include 11 in the professional services category and seven in the office management area.

In all, Federal News Network has learned that GSA expects to save more than $15 million a year through these and other consolidation efforts, which are part of several ongoing initiatives GSA is pursuing to consolidate and make the schedules program more efficient.

“These MAS adjustments will allow FAS to streamline the buying process, provide access to competitive pricing and quality products and services and minimize the time that agency customers will need to make buying decisions,” said Josh Gruenbaum, the commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service at GSA, in an email statement to Federal News Network.

GSA kicked off many of these efforts before Gruenbaum became FAS commissioner, but a February decision paper obtained by Federal News Network shows that the agency plans to turn many of these efforts up several notches.

Limited success in the past

Jeff Koses, GSA’s senior procurement executive, and Mark Lee, the assistant commissioner in the Office of Policy and Compliance, outlined four short terms plans for the next 45 days. They also detailed three long-term efforts to expand a contractor compliance pilot project started last year.

While this has been a goal of every previous administration, cutting the “deadwood” off the schedules has found limited success. In 2012, GSA found as many as 60% of contractors on some of the schedule contracts received little or no business. At the time, FAS leadership said it would implement a new Demand Based Model, which will let the agency focus on the products and services agency customers want the most, closing down the underused schedules to new companies. Then in 2014, GSA said it cut about 1,000 vendors from Schedule 70 for IT services for not meeting the minimum annual sales requirement of $25,000 a year. GSA said that move saved the agency about $3.2 million a year in administrative costs.

Alan Thomas, the former commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service during the first Trump administration, said what GSA is doing is a natural outgrowth of the ongoing schedule consolidation effort that kicked into gear in 2018.

“It’s a natural follow-on to eliminate vendors who have low sales. During the pandemic and for other reasons, GSA had soften its rules around that a little bit. But now this is just some clean up and an appropriate tightening of some of those rules particularly around low sales vendors,” said Thomas, now the founder of AlphaTango Strategies, in an interview with Federal News Network. “This isn’t crazy stuff and given the administration’s focus on efficiency and streamlining, it’s a natural area to look at. It moves the needle a little bit. It’s a good useful step and a good business housecleaning.”

Another former GSA official, who requested anonymity in order to talk to the press, said the reductions make a lot of sense.

“These contracts are like zombie contracts — they just are sitting there,” said the former official. “I find it hard to find a downside other than folks could argue it’s anti-small business. But if you aren’t meeting the goals over four years of the contract, which aren’t that high, then your contract deserves to be cancelled.”

Focus is on sales, performance issues

GSA says there are 456 vendors in the first phase slated for elimination based on not meeting their sales criteria. GSA set a basic minimum for contractors in their first five-year contract to sell at least $100,000 and for the second five-year option to sell at least $125,000 total.

There currently is about 18,000 vendors on the schedule contract.

“For various reasons, including the pandemic, concerns on growing the industrial base and strong pushback, GSA softened its approach to low and no sales contracts, and created the current version of the clause, which gives more time for contractors to meet an increased dollar threshold for sales. As a result, the number of low and no sales contracts built up into the hundreds,” Koses and Lee wrote. “Contracting officers have a clear contractual right to not exercise options. Neither regulatory or policy changes are required; however FAS can create a culture of more strictly adhering to the sales thresholds through existing methods of training and communicating with the acquisition workforce. Such actions may generate strong pushback from individual contractors, industry groups, the Small Business Administration, members of Congress and various other stakeholders.”

The former GSA official said industry and congressional pushback were two main reasons why this effort had limited success previously.

“The only downside that I see if vendors could reapply to get on the schedule after being removed. But if you weren’t successful the first time, I’m not sure why would you do that?” the former official said.

Thomas said too often vendors get on the schedule and think they are done.

Part of the reason for that is GSA own messaging. The agency has promoted vendors to view the schedules as the first step to get into the federal market.

Thomas said before a contractor does that, however, they need to make sure there are agency customers who want to buy what the company is selling.

“You can get on the schedule relatively quickly and efficiently and for the amount of business out there, it’s a fairly low bar in terms of cost,” he said. “But since I’ve been out of GSA, I’ve worked with number of companies who want to develop a strategy to get on the schedule right away. I tell them what they need to do is find an end user that needs your product or service, and then determine if the schedule is the right vehicle to satisfy that customer.”

The former GSA official added GSA spends a lot of time training vendors on how to use the schedule to their benefit. But too often companies, especially small firms, think they are done once they receive the schedule contract.

Must justify extending a schedule contract

A GSA spokesperson told Federal News Network that contracting officers have the authority to decide whether to let the schedule contract expire or not.

“FAS recommends allowing MAS contracts to expire if they don’t meet the sales requirements in FSS Clause I-FSS-639—unless the CO can clearly show that extending the contract is the best option for meeting the government’s needs, considering price and other key factors,” the spokesperson said.

A second prong to this effort will target 121 contractors with non-compliance, including poor performance issues. Koses and Lee say these 121 contractors could be put on a “watch list” and could be terminated if their compliance doesn’t improve over the next three months.

Koses and Lee said GSA launched a pilot last August reviewing 30 schedule holders across eight factors, including regulatory compliance, timely delivery and meeting other various requirements.

“Increasing availability of big data tools have given FAS the room to define and pilot an effort to drive better contractor compliance,” Koses and Lee wrote. “By utilizing the recently developed Suppliers’ Compliance Scorecard to identify and monitor non-compliance contractors, FAS drove performance improvements for 25 of the 30 contractors.”

GSA there are about 650 contractors as of Aug. 9 with a performance score under 80% based on their scorecard. GSA estimated it could save $2 billion, of which $1.7 billion would come from not having to manage these contracts any longer.

Source: February 2025 decision paper from GSA.

GSA offered more details about its plans to reduce SINs in a new blog post. Along with cutting 31 SINs, FAS also plans on changing the specifics in four of the categories, including professional services and IT.

“This set of contracts carries the lowest risk, including the least likelihood of strong Congressional or industry pushback, and emphasizes a cultural message of performance and accountability,” Koses and Lee wrote.

For example, under the IT category, GSA plans to add several new subcategories, including cloud services to include artificial intelligence and machine learning; financial management services, which would move from the IT solution category and include the services from the Financial Management Quality Service Management Office (FM QSMO); and incident handling and event management under the cybersecurity SIN.

“GSA is taking the first step in refining the MAS program by identifying items with low market demand, or with high administrative costs that outweigh their benefits,” the agency spokesperson said. “We value our partnerships and are committed to keeping our stakeholders informed as we move forward with these improvements. Updates to the vendor community will follow soon.”

The post GSA to cut 577 schedule vendors, 31 SINs first appeared on Federal News Network.

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Judge Subramanian DENIES Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Bail for the Fifth Time – Disgraced Rapper Will Remain in Prison Pending His October 3rd Sentencing

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15 hours ago

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August 5, 2025

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Judge Subramanian: no “exceptional reasons” to release Diddy before sentencing.

Recent Judge Subramanian’s decisions may indicate hard times for Diddy come sentencing.

We have been following the pre-sentencing motions in the high-profile criminal trial of rap mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs.

The defense: ‘Sean Diddy’s Combs’ Conviction Is Racist and Sexist’, Say Disgraced Rapper’s Lawyers on Yet Another Legal Filing Trying to Release Him on Bail Pending Sentencing

The Prosecution: Prosecutors Oppose Sean Diddy Combs’ 50M Bail Package, Ask for ‘Substantially Higher’ Sentence Than Before

Look who appeared: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial: Ex-girlfirend Who Disappeared and Did Not Testify Against Rapper as ‘Victim 3’ Now Writes Letter to Judge to Grant Him Pre-sentencing Bail

Diddy has had his request for bail denied for the 5th time.

Today, we learn that federal judge Subramanian has yet again declined to grant Sean “Diddy” Combs bail, saying he found no ‘exceptional reasons’ to release him pending his October sentencing.

ABC News reported:

“Combs was convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution, which the judge said mandates incarceration. His sentencing is set for Oct. 3.

Judge Arun Subramanian said Combs remains a risk of flight and a danger to the community, pointing to the violence exhibited on 2016 hotel surveillance footage that shows him kicking and dragging Cassie Ventura.”

Combs remains a risk of flight and a danger to the community: Judge.

The judge ruled that the ‘swinger lifestyle’ argument does not fly in a case that includes ‘evidence of violence, coercion or subjugation in connection with the prostitution’. And the record, he wrote, contains evidence of all three.

Subramanian: “’While Combs may contend at sentencing that this evidence should be discounted and that what happened was nothing more than a case of willing ‘swingers’ utilizing the voluntary services of escorts for their mutual pleasure, the Government takes the opposite view: that Cassie Ventura and Jane were beaten, coerced, threatened, lied to, and victimized by Combs as part of their participation in these’.”

Read more:

As He Awaits Sentencing in Prison, Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Joins ‘Self-Improvement’ Program To Curb Drug Use and Violence Against Women

The post Judge Subramanian DENIES Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Bail for the Fifth Time – Disgraced Rapper Will Remain in Prison Pending His October 3rd Sentencing appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Nearly 78,000 New Applicants Flood ICE Recruitment to Help Crack Down on Illegal Immigration (VIDEO)

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16 hours ago

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August 5, 2025

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In a scorching new development under the Trump-backed ICE reign, Acting Director Todd Lyons confidently announced that “we have almost 78,000 applicants since we opened up,” referring to the agency’s massive recruitment surge launched just one week prior.

This seismic surge in interest aligns with ICE’s newly launched “Defend the Homeland” recruitment blitz, unveiled by the Department of Homeland Security on July 29, 2025.

ICE is budgeting for 10,000 new agents, dangling $50,000 signing bonuses, student‑loan forgiveness, enhanced overtime pay, and upgraded retirement plans to attract recruits.

According to the press release:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today launched a new U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) campaign to recruit brave and heroic Americans to join ICE as federal law enforcement agents and remove the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from America’s streets.

“Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. In the wake of the Biden administration’s failed immigration policies, your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.”

To support this effort, ICE is offering a robust package of federal law enforcement incentives, including: 

  • A maximum $50,000 signing bonus
  • Student loan repayment and forgiveness options
  • 25% Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) for HSI Special Agents
  • Administratively Uncontrollable Overtime (AUI) for Enforcement Removal Operations (ERO) Deportation Officers
  • Enhanced retirement benefits

Backed by significant new funding through the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill, ICE is rolling out patriotic recruitment posters and benefits to attract the next generation of law enforcement professionals to find, arrest, and remove criminal illegal aliens.

During the Fox interview, Todd Lyons delivered the incredible news.

“We have almost 78,000 applicants since we opened up. We’re going through and finding those people who really want to serve the country and truly be in law enforcement. I think it’s a great way to recruit now.

We’re taking back our re-hired annuitants — people who left the job early because they weren’t allowed to do the law enforcement mission.

But we have so many people who are now interested in working with ICE because, under Secretary Nome’s leadership, they’re seeing that we have a viable law enforcement partner in the community. You’re actually out making a difference. We’re really ecstatic about seeing the increase in new recruits who are applying.”

WATCH:

The post Nearly 78,000 New Applicants Flood ICE Recruitment to Help Crack Down on Illegal Immigration (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls on Trump to Commute George Santos’ Excessive 7-Year-Sentence: ‘Some Members of Congress Who’ve Done Far Worse Still Walk Free’

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16 hours ago

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August 5, 2025

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R‑GA) has formally thrown down the gauntlet.

On Monday, she submitted a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney pleading for President Trump to commute the 87-month federal sentence of ex‑Congressman George Santos (NY‑03)—a punishment she calls “a grave injustice” and emblematic of a justice system fractured by politically selective persecution.

Greene wrote on X:

“BREAKING: I just sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging President Trump to commute the sentence of former Congressman @MrSantosNY.

A 7‑year prison sentence for campaign‑related charges is excessive, especially when Members of Congress who’ve done far worse still walk free.

George Santos has taken responsibility. He’s shown remorse. It’s time to correct this injustice. We must demand equal justice under the law!”

Greene signed her letter Aug. 4 to Pardon Attorney Edward Martin Jr. at the Justice Department, demanding Trump use his executive power to undo what she calls a “grave injustice.”

Drawing on inside knowledge, she described Santos as “without a prior criminal record,” “sincerely remorseful,” and portrayed his case as campaign-related maleficence, nothing warranting “one of the most extreme sentences in recent history.”

Green also reminded officials of the roster of current or former lawmakers who actually broke laws or ethics rules yet never lost a day.

The letter reads:

“I am writing to request that your office urge the President to commute the sentence of former Congressman George Santos. In April 2025, Mr. Santos was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges. I wholeheartedly believe in justice and the rule of the law, and I understand the gravity of such actions. However, I believe a seven-year sentence for such campaign-related matters for an individual with no prior criminal record extends far beyond what is warranted.

As a Member of Congress, I worked with Mr. Santos on many issues and can attest to his willingness and dedication to serve the people of New York who elected him to office. He committed himself to serving his constituents and did whatever it took to represent their interests in Washington, D.C. He is sincerely remorseful and has accepted full responsibility for his actions. Furthermore, my office has spoken with a pastor of his who discussed the regret and remorse of Mr. Santos, agreeing that the sentence imposed is a grave injustice.

While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who I serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges. I strongly believe in accountability for one’s actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system.

Commuting his sentence would acknowledge the severity of his actions and simultaneously provide a path forward in allowing him to make amends for his crimes and strive to better serve the people in his community.

I respectfully request you to urge the President to commute the sentence of Mr. George Santos.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

According to the Advocate, Trump can pardon Santos, but has not been asked about it.

The Advocate reported:

“He lied like hell, and I didn’t know him,” Trump told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty during an interview at the White House. “But he was 100 percent for Trump. I might’ve met him. Maybe, maybe not, but he was a congressman and his vote was solid.”

[…]

In the Newsmax interview, Trump seemed to question the severity of Santos’s sentence. “It sounds like a lot,” he said. “Is it seven years he just went away? It’s a long time.”

Trump went on to say that while he hadn’t been approached about pardoning Santos, the door remained open. “Nobody’s talked to me about it,” he said. “They really haven’t talked to me about [Santos]. They have talked to me about Sean [Combs], but they haven’t talked to me about [George]. But again, with him, I have the right to do it. Nobody’s asked me, but it’s interesting.”

In April, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert sentenced Santos to 87 months in federal prison for wire fraud and aggravated identity theft after a guilty plea in August 2024.

Those charges stemmed from fabricating donor names, laundering campaign funds, misusing donor money, and claiming unemployment while campaigning.

Santos took to social media earlier this year to criticize the ruling and pleaded with President Trump for leniency.

He wrote:

This is the hardest statement I have ever written. I write this humbled, chastened, and fully accountable for choices that shattered the faith so many placed in me.

I betrayed the confidence entrusted to me by many. For that, I offer my deepest apology.

When I pled guilty, I did so without reservation. I said then, and I repeat now, that my conduct betrayed my supporters and diminished the institution I was privileged to serve. Those words have weighed on me every day since.

I cannot rewrite the past, but I can control the road ahead. I asked the Court for a sentence that balances accountability with the chance to prove through sustained, measurable action that I can still contribute positively to the community I wronged.

I believe that 7 years is an over the top politically influenced sentence and I implore that President Trump gives me a chance to prove I’m more than the mistakes I’ve made.

Before the sentencing, Santos had slammed federal prosecutors for going easy on violent criminals while trying to make an example out of him.

“I will however remind everyone that they want me to go to prison for 87 months while they let sex traffickers walk freely, they give drug lords slaps on the wrist and most importantly refuse to prosecute the cabal of pedophiles running around in every power structure in the world including the US Government,” he wrote on X.

The post Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls on Trump to Commute George Santos’ Excessive 7-Year-Sentence: ‘Some Members of Congress Who’ve Done Far Worse Still Walk Free’ appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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