The Coalition for Common Sense in Government Procurement (Coalition) is honored and excited to announce that The Honorable Edward C. Forst, Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA), will open the 2025–2026 Winter Training Conference: The Revolutionary Federal Market with a Keynote Fireside Chat alongside Coalition President Roger Waldron. Administrator Forst will discuss his leadership and management priorities for GSA as the federal acquisition system undergoes restructuring.
As GSA Administrator, Ed Forst brings 40 years of leadership experience managing complex organizations across both the private sector and public service. His career includes experience in the real estate market at Cushman & Wakefield, public service at the Department of the Treasury, and financial services at Goldman, Sachs & Co. Throughout his career, Administrator Forst has emphasized disciplined execution, operational efficiency, risk management, and investing in people as the foundation for achieving results at the highest level.
Administrator Forst’s participation underscores the importance of the Winter Training Conference as an opportunity for direct engagement with senior federal leaders shaping the future of government procurement.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Register!
The Coalition’s Winter Training Conference is just days away, and there is still time to register to join senior government officials, policy leaders, and industry experts for two days of timely discussions on the future of federal procurement. Taking place January 14–15 at the Fairview Park Marriott in Falls Church, VA, the conference will examine how ongoing efforts to streamline acquisition are reshaping the federal market and what those changes mean for agencies and contractors heading into 2026.
To register, click here. For questions or assistance with registration, please contact Madyson Whiting at mady.whiting@thecgp.org.
Governmentwide Day – January 14
The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rhodes, OFPP Administrator
Day One will explore governmentwide acquisition policy and reforms. In addition to Administrator Forst’s Keynote Fireside Chat, Day One will feature a Keynote Address from The Honorable Dr. Kevin Rhodes, Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), offering a governmentwide perspective on acquisition policy and reform. The agenda also includes an acquisition panel with GSA’s Larry Allen, Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy, and Laura Stanton, Deputy Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service. Additional sessions will address:
- The Revolutionary FAR Overhaul – What’s Next?
- GSA’s Consolidation Action Plan
- Updating MAS Ordering Guidance to Support FAR Overhaul Enhancements
- The New IT GWAC Market
- Integrated Award Environment (IAE) / SAM.gov
- The New MAS Market, including Transactional Data Reporting
View the full Governmentwide Agenda.
Healthcare Day – January 15
Keynote Speakers: Howard Manuel, Deputy Senior Advisor to the VA Secretary and Phil Christy, OALC Principal Executive Director and Chief Acquisition Officer
Day Two will focus on healthcare acquisition issues and will begin with Keynote Remarks from Phil Christy, Principal Executive Director and Chief Acquisition Officer, Office of Acquisition, Logistics & Construction, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Luncheon Keynote Address will be delivered by Howard Manuel, Deputy Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Sessions will also address:
- VA Acquisition Leadership Priorities
- Federal Budget and Legislative Updates
- Impacts of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul on Federal Healthcare Contractors
- VA Medical/Surgical Prime Vendor Program
- DHA Pharmaceutical Program
- VA Federal Supply Schedule Program
- VA Pharmacy Program
- VA Community Care Program
View the full Healthcare Agenda.
With senior leadership from GSA, OFPP, VA, and other key agencies, the Winter Training Conference offers an unparalleled opportunity to gain clarity on what’s next for federal procurement and what it means for government and industry. Register now to join us for these timely and important conversations while there is still time. We look forward to seeing you next week!