A message from Clyde Saiki, Chief Operating Officer and DAS Director

This is the first DAS newsletter since I stepped into my new role as DAS Director and State Chief Operating Officer, and I wanted to take a moment to express how excited I am to be here. I’ve spent the past several weeks listening. To employees throughout DAS. To other agency directors. To those who interact with DAS on a daily basis. To our partners in the Legislature. Over and over I’ve heard how much better DAS is supporting agencies, and how much opportunity still exists. It’s the opportunity that excites me most.

For those who don’t know me, I have worked in state government for 28 years. First at DHS, then ODOT and now here at DAS. Two years ago I spent some time with DAS as interim Chief Human Resources Officer. That gave me a front row seat for many positive changes within the agency, and I plan to carry those experiences into my current role. I also got to know DAS as a member of your Customer Utility Boards and through other state leadership teams.

We’ve made great strides these past few years – working across agencies to tackle statewide challenges. Relationships are stronger, structures are in place to coordinate our common efforts and share information, and we’re generating more success stories each day. But there is always room for improvement.

DAS exists to support state agencies in the delivery of services to Oregonians. The better we do our job, the better you can do yours. If you have ideas on how we can get better don’t hesitate to share them. I’m always listening.  

-Clyde

In January 2012, the Enterprise Leadership Team sponsored a real estate project that held promise of substantial savings for the state. The project began with the DAS Real Estate program commissioning an outside consultant to confirm that a radical change to leasing practices would prove enormously beneficial for the state.

DAS Real Estate used contemporary industry practices to re-negotiate 39 state leases of at least 10,000 square feet that were set to expire in 2013-15. The buy-in of the agencies involved and the tenacity of DAS’ leasing agents ultimately proved the keystones of success. As of July 2015, the gross lease savings to state agencies and Oregon taxpayers tallied more than $64 million.

Agencies helped achieve these results by agreeing to longer lease terms and the possibility of moving, and consolidating space for greater efficiencies. And DAS’ leasing agents applied the new approach to every transaction in their portfolio, not just the original leases within the project scope, yielding results no one imagined.

For more information, contact Shannon Ryan, 503-428-3362.

State CIO Alex Pettit has named Tony Black, pictured at left, as Enterprise Technology Services Administrator. "Over the last several months Tony has done a tremendous job as the acting ETS Administrator," said Dr. Pettit. "He has provided leadership and stability to his team during a time of change."

Since joining the ETS team, Tony has provided day-to-day operational support while assisting with developing a framework that will enable ETS to thrive in a changing environment. Tony brings a wealth of knowledge having served as the Deputy ETS Administrator; a Strategic Technology Officer for the Department of Transportation; the Chief Information Officer for Lane County; and Technology Director for Hermiston and Stanfield School Districts. Outside the public sector, Tony was a field engineer for two private companies, and he served as a submarine nuclear engineer in the U.S. Navy.

Tony will continue to help Dr. Pettit set the strategic direction for ETS, as well as continue process improvement efforts and strengthening customer relations.

The DAS Surplus Property hosts a sale on all federal property on October 19, with a free customer barbecue between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eligible agencies and non-profit organizations can take 20% off the purchase price of federal property in stock. Inventory includes heavy equipment, meals ready to eat, and many other new and unused items.
View the catalog for the 20% off sale.

Agencies are always welcome to search for property through the Surplus Property website, www.oregonsurplus.com. Simply click on the “Search Inventory” box to view property available at the Salem warehouse, or click on “Agency Resource Page” for instructions on how to search for property available through the federal government.

The 2015 Legislative Assembly passed HB 2375 relating to oversight and accountability in public procurement. Among the many provisions, the new law requires that anyone conducting a procurement or administering a contract has professional experience or receives training in solicitation documents, contract terms, administration and performance, scope-of-work statements, vendor relationships, managing risks and auditing.

For contracts over $150,000, agency directors are responsible for reviewing and verifying these employees have read and understand all DAS and DOJ advice, as well as retaining signed verification documents. To help support agencies in complying with the new law, DAS will make a presentation at an upcoming all-directors’ meeting, send updates by email, provide documentation packets, and as requested, consult with agencies by phone or in-person.

Agency directors should contact their Designated Procurement Officer or Dianne Lancaster, 503-378-3529, to ensure they are ready to meet these obligations by the effective date – Jan. 1, 2016.