GSA acquisition chief returns

Stephen Kempf, the longtime commissioner of the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service, has returned from two months of medical leave. But he has a new title.

Followers of the zigs and zags of recent scandals over GSA’s extravagant spending at conferences might recall that Kempf took off in September for 60 days of medical leave on the eve of a hearing before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee about a 2010 awards conference Kempf helped run. At that event held at two hotels in Arlington, Va., some 200 guests were treated to gifts such as time-and-temperature picture frames and drumsticks, and the conference’s estimated total cost was $268,732.

Kempf also has been active this year modernizing GSA’s management of eligible vendors for its multiple-award schedule contracts in such areas as office supplies.

GSA spokesman Dan Cruz confirmed to Government Executive on Thursday that Kempf has returned, and now has the title of senior adviser on acquisition at GSA.