Who we serve
Contractors, prospective contractors, and individuals with concerns about GSA procurement actions, policies and practices.
What we do
The Office of the Procurement Ombudsman (OPO) provides an informal forum for vendors and industry associations who do business with GSA to voice their concerns with our acquisition programs, policies and practices. We collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve differences and reduce the likelihood of formal disputes, protests and lawsuits. The ombudsman functions as an impartial and critical entity that reports findings and makes recommendations based solely on a review of facts. All inquiries are reviewed in an objective and fair manner that is free from bias and favor. Our primary functions are to:
Foster healthy relationships
- Provide early assistance in the acquisition process to help resolve issues before they escalate to disputes, protests or lawsuits.
- Conduct education and awareness campaigns.
- Relay recommendations, lessons learned, and best practices to improve GSA acquisition outcomes, policies and practices.
Serve as Office of Federal Procurement Policy industry liaison
- Promote innovative contracting practices.
- Enhance GSA’s data-driven decision-making capabilities.
Serve as task and delivery order ombudsman
- Review and resolve complaints from contractors concerning all task and delivery order actions taken by GSA.
Who to contact
GSAOmbudsman@gsa.gov
Meet the ombudsman
Maria C. Swaby is the GSA procurement ombudsman, GSA task and delivery order ombudsman, and GSA industry liaison.
She holds both a J.D. from the University of Connecticut School of Law and an LL.M. (Government Procurement Law concentration) from The George Washington University Law School, where she is also an adjunct professor. Additionally, Maria was a co-chair of the American Bar Association Suspension & Debarment subcommittee. She speaks regularly to the academic, legal, government, contractor, and international public procurement communities on various procurement-related subjects.
Related information
Find information about resolving procurement concerns.
U.S. General Services Administration
