Procurement Policy Nominee Is An Old Pro President Bush’s nominee to head the Office of Federal Procurement Policy, Paul Denett, said agencies need to improve their outreach to small businesses in the government marketplace. At a confirmation hearing June 20 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Denett said he realized small businesses often went away “disappointed” after attending Industry Days because they saw no tangible results from the meetings. In a 33-year government career, Denett served as a senior procurement executive in the Agriculture, Treasury and Interior departments. He is the first career acquisition official to be nominated for the procurement policy post in the Bush administration. He told senators he will focus much of his efforts on improved training, recruitment and retention of acquisition personnel. Committee Chairman Susan Collins (R-ME) said the procurement policy office, a part of the White House Office of Management and Budget, needs to be more aggressive in making sure agencies follow laws and regulations. She said billions of dollars have been wasted in relief and recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina. “I’m very concerned that no one seems to be taking charge to ensure that the same things don’t happen again,” she said. “I think OFPP has been too passive in the past in exercising the kind of leadership that is needed.” Collins said she will push for quick Senate action on Denett’s nomination.