Steve Kempf, the commissioner of the General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service, is taking a 60-day medical leave of absence starting Monday.

A GSA FAS spokeswoman confirmed Kempf’s decision and that Mary Davie, the assistant commissioner of the Office of Integrated Technology Services, will be the acting commissioner.

A GSA source said Kempf’s decision has nothing to do with the recent hubbub by Congress over FAS spending on a performance award conference.

Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.), the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, said an ongoing internal GSA investigation revealed FAS spent more than $268,000 on an awards ceremony held in the Washington, D.C., area in November 2010.

Kempf, in an email to staff obtained by Federal News Radio, said, “I truly do not want to be leaving you at this important time. However, this is necessary if I am going to continue serving our country to the best of my ability in the future. I started at FAS as a GS-9 intern and never left, and representing you and the amazing work you do each day is a privilege.”

A GSA source also said Kevin Youel Page, the deputy assistant commission for ITS, will likely take over for Davie on an interim basis.

Davie has been assistant commissioner of ITS since December 2010.

GSA appointed Kempf commissioner of FAS in July 2010 after spending three months in an acting capacity.

Kempf has been with GSA since 1992. He also has been the assistant commissioner for the FAS Office of Acquisition Management and the deputy assistant commissioner for the Office of Integrated Technology Services. He also worked at the Federal Systems Integration and Management Center during his career.

“I know these are difficult times but because of you, our warfighters have the supplies they need to protect U.S. interests, agencies have cutting-edge cybersecurity capabilities, and our acquisition colleagues have the tools, services and training they need to do their jobs better and more efficiently,” Kempf wrote in his email. “These and hundreds of other accomplishments may not get as much recognition but are essential to our government’s success. On behalf of the entire FAS leadership team, thank you for the amazing work you do each day.”

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TAG: People Steve Kempf Mary Davie GSA Jason Miller

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