U.S. General Services Administration
Redoubling our commitment to empowering communities by advancing equity
We believe that government works best when it works for everyone. It’s a deeply embedded principle in every team throughout GSA.
Through our updated Equity Action Plan [PDF - 351 KB], we’re reaffirming our commitment to upholding this trust in how we deliver for our customers and the American people. Our plan responds to the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government charge to further advance equity, reduce administrative burdens and expand access to opportunity.
Since the release of our inaugural Equity Action Plan in 2022, we’ve made significant progress in the three high-impact service areas where we lead: federal procurement, federal buildings, and federal technology design and delivery.
Some of our key accomplishments include:
- $2.8 billion of GSA contracts went to small businesses in FY22, and in FY23, GSA increased that to $3.3 billion. In both years, over 20% went to small disadvantaged businesses.
- We made it easier for federal agencies to buy from small businesses in the 8(a) program by partnering with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
- We made it easier for the public to find the exact federal benefits and services they needed by strengthening USAGov and USAGov en Español.
- Our Administrator held GSA’s first formal Tribal Consultation at the Reservation Economic Summit with over 100 participants, covering topics like contracting, electric vehicle procurement, carbon-free electricity, and more.
- We evaluated how emergency rental and homeowner assistance programs supported equitable recovery through the American Rescue Plan.
- Vote.gov expanded access to voter registration information in communities that, due to language barriers, have not been historically part of the electorate. That platform added several Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander languages.
- We started using new environmental justice tools and community networks to help drive sustainable and equitable development as we make big investments in federal buildings through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Login.gov partnered with federal agencies and state governments to provide secure, accessible identity verification services for benefits and emergency assistance programs. As an example, we worked with the U.S. Department of Labor and three states to help over 50,000 citizens (so far) verify their identities while applying for unemployment benefits.
- GSA’s Good Neighbor Program helped construction project teams, local governments and communities address common environmental justice challenges - like flooding from aging water systems, heat islands caused by lack of tree canopy, and air pollution from commercial traffic patterns - during the urban planning process.
- We partnered with the National Organization of Minority Architects to expand career opportunities for underserved communities in the architecture, engineering, design and construction fields.
But our commitment doesn’t stop there. We plan to build upon our past successes by expanding to five key strategies that will help to remove barriers and enhance support for underserved communities:
- Advance Equity, Economic Justice, and Diversity of the American Supplier Base through Federal Procurement.
- Deliver Equitable, Accessible and Inclusive Digital Government to the American Public.
- Advance Equity, Economic Security and Environmental Justice through Large-Scale Construction Projects and the Federal Buildings Footprint.
- Advance Equity and Effectiveness of Federal Programs Through Rigorous Review, Evaluation and Continuous Improvement.
- Advance Equitable Access to Opportunity and Federal Resources for Local Communities and Minority Serving Institutions.
At the heart of our plan, we recognize that true progress requires action. By fostering partnerships and expanding our community outreach, together, we can create a future where equity is not just an aspiration, but a lived experience for everyone.
Learn more about GSA’s work to advance equity by visiting GSA’s Equity web page.