STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3815

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 502

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 502, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

State Procurement Office Administrator

 

G.M. No. 502

SARAH-JANE ALLEN,

for a term to expire 10-03-2021,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Sarah-Jane Allen for service as the State Procurement Office Administrator.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Sarah-Jane Allen from the Department of Accounting and General Services; Office of Veterans' Services; Integrated Securities Technologies, Inc.; Child & Family Service; Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; General Contractors Association of Hawaii; Alaska-Hawaii Governmental Procurement Association; and thirty-three individuals.

 

     Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Allen is currently serving as the State Procurement Office Administrator, a position she has held since November 2013.  During her time as Administrator, she has proven to be a strong leader with effective communication skills and an innovative and forward-thinking vision of procurement.  Under Ms. Allen's leadership, the State Procurement Office has improved and the State's procurement process has been enhanced through the updating and modernization various online tools relating to procurement, including development of the Hawaii Awards and Notice Database or HANDS system that is a one-stop shop for solicitations and award notices.  Ms. Allen has also worked to improve the State Procurement Office's interactions and communications with or government agencies and departments, so that those departments and agencies might better understand their procurement duties.  Moreover, in recognition that the full contract life-cycle is effected by procurement, Ms. Allen has directed the State Procurement Office toward emphasizing post-award contract management as an essential part of the procurement planning process.  Further, under Ms. Allen's leadership, the State Procurement Office, has completed more than sixty compliance reviews and investigations and managed more than one hundred eighty state-wide contracts totaling more than $1.2 billion.

 

     In addition, Ms. Allen's extensive background in procurement and financial management has proven to be a great asset to the State Procurement Office.  Ms. Allen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Southern Africa, Master of Acquisition Management from American Graduate University, and a Global Executive Master of Business Administration from George Mason University.  Prior to taking over as Administrator of the State Procurement Office, Ms. Allen spent several years with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency, most notably as the Executive Advisor to the Senior Procurement Executive, where her team managed the cross-functional initiative, Agile Acquisition.  She also has fourteen years of contracting and acquisition experience, which includes time in the United States Air Force.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee finds that Ms. Allen's demonstrated dedication to improving and innovating the State Procurement Office, continuing commitment to enhance procurement practices, accomplishments as the State Procurement Office Administrator, and her past experiences with procurement, qualify Ms. Allen for reappointment as the State Procurement Office Administrator.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair