E
dward Forst, former Cushman & Wakefield CEO and Goldman Sachs banker, was confirmed by the Senate as the next administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA). In his hearing before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, he described the GSA as the “tip of the spear” in President Trump’s push for a more efficient federal government. Forst outlined four main objectives if appointed: rationalizing the federal real‑estate holdings; unifying the acquisition process; expanding opportunities for small businesses; and spearheading a technology overhaul across agencies.
Regarding real estate, Forst said the agency must audit underused and obsolete properties, renegotiate leases where feasible, and consolidate space to match current agency needs. GSA controls more than 363 million square feet in over 8,300 buildings, and the administration has already aimed to cut that portfolio by half. The agency also faces roughly $24 billion in deferred maintenance, of which Forst identified $6 billion as “urgently needed.”
On procurement, he called for a single, streamlined acquisition system, arguing that the current patchwork of transactions hampers efficiency. “The Federal Acquisition Service team is ready to seize this once‑in‑a‑generation chance to improve mission delivery,” he said, adding that smart procurement benefits every taxpayer.
Forst stressed that technology modernization is essential and that GSA will play a key role in executing the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan. When questioned about a contract with Elon Musk’s xAI and its Grok platform—criticized by nonprofits for producing racist and inflammatory outputs—he pledged to review the selection process and ensure all facts were considered, promising to address any shortcomings.
If confirmed, Forst would replace acting administrator Michael Rigas and lead the GSA toward a leaner, more tech‑savvy, and acquisition‑efficient future.
