The Trump administration is taking sweeping action to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) considerations from federal contracting, marking a major shift in government procurement policy.
The General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it will issue new deviations to federal acquisition regulations, aligning with President Trump's executive orders that revoke DEI policies in federal contracting. This move effectively overturns former President Joe Biden’s policy, which had encouraged agencies to weigh corporate DEI initiatives when awarding contracts.
Streamlining Federal Procurement
The decision is the first step in what the administration describes as a broader effort to reform federal contracting, a process that has long faced bipartisan criticism for excessive regulations.
“These actions are the first steps in transforming the [Federal Acquisition Regulation] into a sensible, common sense guideline to ensure that the federal government is working with industry as an attractive partner for business,” said Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, who was appointed by Trump last month.
Gruenbaum emphasized that the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which governs federal purchasing, has become bloated and inefficient. “The FAR has grown to more than 2,000 pages — it’s burdensome, outdated, and doesn’t allow agencies to buy at the speed of need, which leads to poor outcomes for the public we serve,” he said.
With Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, the Trump administration may have legislative support for further reforms, but some changes could require congressional action.
Ending DEI in Government
The GSA’s move is part of a larger campaign by the Trump administration to remove DEI from federal institutions. Trump's executive orders have declared DEI initiatives illegal, ordered the termination of government DEI programs, and instructed federal agencies to eliminate DEI-related positions. Schools are also expected to end DEI initiatives in the coming weeks under new federal directives.
Critics of DEI argue that these programs promote division by emphasizing identity over individual merit. Conservatives have frequently characterized DEI as a progressive ideology that fosters discrimination instead of fairness.
Rolling Back Paper Straw Mandates
In addition to its procurement overhaul, the GSA also halted a federal effort to replace plastic straws with paper ones, following an executive order from President Trump last week banning the “forced” use of paper straws nationwide. Under the new policy, federal contracting officers can modify existing contracts and solicitations without incurring penalties.
“The steps taken by GSA will make it easier for industry to sell their products and services to the government,” said acting GSA administrator Stephen Ehikian. “GSA is leading the way in transforming government and strongly encourages other agencies to follow our lead.”
The administration’s actions signal a broader push to reduce government regulations and return to a more traditional procurement process that prioritizes cost and efficiency over social initiatives. While Democrats are likely to push back, Trump’s control over the executive branch and Republican majorities in Congress provide a strong foundation for these reforms to take hold.
