Josh Gruenbaum Wins 1st Wash100 Award for Advancing Mission of Federal Acquisition Service
Executive Mosaic proudly announces that Josh Gruenbaum, Federal Acquisition Service commissioner at the General Services Administration, has won the Wash100 Award for the first time. This accolade highlights his brilliant contributions to the agency and the federal sector, placing him among the 100 most influential personalities in the government contracting landscape.
Help Josh Gruenbaum make it to the top of the popular vote contest. Visit Wash100.com and vote for him. Voting ends on April 30.
“Josh’s first Wash100 win comes at a pivotal moment, both for him and for the future of federal procurement. As the newly appointed Federal Acquisition Service commissioner, he steps into one of the most critical roles in GovCon, and his background in finance, governance and strategic turnarounds positions him well to drive meaningful progress,” said Jim Garrettson, CEO of Executive Mosaic.
“With discussions swirling about consolidating all procurement under GSA, Josh’s leadership will be one to watch. His expertise aligns seamlessly with the administration’s push for efficiency and modernization, and we’re excited to see how he shapes the future of acquisition,” the Wash100 Award founder added.
Simplifying & Modernizing Government Business
In January 2024, GSA launched the FAS Catalog Platform in line with efforts to make it easier for businesses to work with government agencies. The web-based platform on GSA Advantage! simplifies vendor catalog management by streamlining the processes for contractors. The FCP enables contractors to access market research data and publish modifications in two days. It features a shared user interface and a central hub to easily access catalog actions and statuses
The GSA also issued the Generative AI and Specialized Computing Infrastructure Acquisition Resource Guide in April to aid federal acquisition professionals in conducting responsible procurement of generative artificial intelligence tools and other technology platforms.
Gruenbaum is leading efforts to turn the Federal Acquisition Regulation into a “sensible, common sense guideline.” The GSA recently issued two deviations to the FAR and other procurement practices, including restoring merit-based opportunity, revoking harmful Executive Orders and ending the forced use of paper straws. The FAS commissioner is working on implementing President Trump’s new EOs.
“These actions are the first steps in transforming the FAR into a sensible, common sense guideline to ensure that the federal government is working with industry as an attractive partner for business,” said Gruenbaum. “The FAR has grown to more than 2,000 pages – it’s burdensome, outdated and doesn’t allow agencies to buy at the speed of need, which leads to poor outcomes for the public we serve. The time is now to streamline the FAR to better align with commercial practices,” he added.
In its efforts to enhance services by increasing transparency and efficiency in government contracting, the GSA is exploring a potential rule that requires contractors to share their performance data with the public. The rule will enable agencies to evaluate the company’s track record before making a decision. GSA requested feedback about the possible rule from contractors and federal agencies in October while FAS will release the draft rule for public comments in the second or third quarter of 2025.
Also in October, the GSA urged the FAS to utilize its purchasing power more effectively when consolidating multiple award schedule contracts to ensure optimal cost savings for government agencies. With Gruenbaum on board, the FAS is set to evaluate possible measures to address the issue. GSA’s Office of Inspector General provided some recommendations such as creating an oversight process to consolidate contracts and to revisit previously consolidated MAS contracts to ensure compliance with regulations and policies.
The GSA’s 8(a) STARS III government-wide acquisition, or GWAC, contract enables federal agencies to access IT services from qualified small businesses. Through this contracting vehicle, small businesses can provide crucial IT platforms and services supporting critical global missions, particularly for the U.S. Embassy in Iraq.
The agency issued a market-as-a-service request to inform industry stakeholders of the State Department’s need for location-specific services, including a requirement for vendors to possess an Iraqi business license.”
The potential $50 billion GWAC, launched in 2021, has facilitated over $6 billion in awards to small businesses within 40 federal agencies. The potential $55 million task order, meanwhile, provides services to the State Department for a maximum of four years.
Josh Gruenbaum’s Career
Gruenbaum was appointed FAS commissioner in January 2025 bringing extensive experience as a private sector executive to his new role. He previously served as a director at KKR & Co. and held a vice president role at Moelis & Co. Gruenbaum was also a member of several boards across various industries. Throughout his career, the GSA executive earned valuable knowledge and experience in mergers and acquisitions, corporate turnarounds, complex restructurings, governance and investments.
“The Federal Acquisition Service stands at the heart of the government’s ability to operate effectively,” said Gruenbaum. “Whether through our work in procurement, fleet management, technology, or charge card programs, we are the enablers of government efficiency.”
Executive Mosaic recognizes Josh Gruenbaum for his first Wash100 win, celebrating his leadership and the unwavering commitment of the Federal Acquisition Service team in fostering a more accessible marketplace for small businesses.
Vote for Gruenbaum in the 2025 Wash100 popular vote competition. Visit Wash100.com on or before April 30.