GSA rebuilding staff after DOGE-driven workforce cuts

Federal News Network’s [Jory Heckman checks in on GSA,][https://federalnewsnetwork.com/hiring-retention/2026/04/gsa-looks-to-rebuild-workforce-after-widespread-layoffs-last-year/] which is moving to hire approximately 400 employees over the next six months, reversing course after losing nearly 40 percent of its total workforce since October 2024.

PBS Chief of Staff Donna Dix announced the hiring push in a 30 March email, citing needs in facilities management, acquisition, and project management. The Federal Acquisition Service is separately recruiting 54 candidates for its Acquisition Talent Development program.

The staffing rebound follows a DOGE-driven push to halve GSA's real estate portfolio. The agency terminated hundreds of leases but walked back most of them after discovering the closures would disrupt public-facing services. GSA ultimately shed about 30 percent of its originally targeted 900 leases.

GSA Administrator Ed Forst has also taken on a dual role as acting archivist of the United States while NARA awaits Senate confirmation of a permanent leader.