Thursday, May 31, 2007

By leaving out key facts, a recent article about the General Services Administration's relationship with Sun Microsystems doesn't convey the truth ["Changes Spurred Buying, Abuses; Taxpayers Overcharged Millions in Sun Deal, Auditor Says," front page, May 23]. The truth is that GSA never shrinks from the hard calls necessary to get the best value for our customers and the taxpayers.

We're accused of wrongly pursuing negotiations with Sun, an allegedly flawed contractor. But the article omitted the fact that in 2006 Sun implemented a remedial plan that was reviewed by the GSA inspector general's office and approved by a GSA contracting officer. The GSA decided to continue negotiations with Sun to try to achieve a fair and reasonable deal.

The final deal negotiated by contracting officer Shana Budd was different and much more advantageous than any deal previously negotiated. Ms. Budd said she knew she had support to walk away from the deal if she did not feel it was fair and reasonable. These facts, if included, would have shown readers that the GSA followed proper procedures, acted prudently and achieved a good deal for taxpayers.

Another article also reported a contracting problem from 2003 as current GSA practice ["Rules Skirted, Millions Wasted on Navy Boat Barriers," front page, May 24]. These irregularities from four years ago were fully audited and corrected, as our own inspector general's office reported last year, and Defense Department acquisition leaders applauded GSA's intensive correction plan.

The GSA's dedicated employees help our customer agencies to be more effective and efficient in meeting their missions every day by providing best-value products, services and solutions. This is what should have been reported.

JAMES A. WILLIAMS

Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner

General Services Administration

Washington