Sandra N. Bates Biography

Sandra N. Bates was named Commissioner of the Federal Technology Service (FTS) in March 2000, after just over two years as Deputy Commissioner. FTS is the General Services Administration information technology and telecommunications organization that provides more than $5 billion in products and services to federal government agencies each year. FTS offers a wide variety of products and services to its agency customers, including telecommunications such as global voice, data and video, and information technology solutions that range from major systems integration to desktops and related support. FTS also provides advanced technology products and services, including risk analysis and information security support, acquisition services for IT and telecommunications systems, and office automation and network design.

Ms. Bates began her federal career in 1969 with the GSA, working on the original government-wide long distance services program, FTS, as an agency liaison in the area of FTS and ADP acquisitions.

She transferred to NASA in 1979. During her fifteen-year career there, she held various positions in telecommunications, including Program Manager for NASA’s agency-wide local service program, and for their Program Support Communications Network. In 1993, she was named Chief of Communications, with responsibility for all NASA operational, command and control networks, worldwide.

In 1996, Ms. Bates returned to GSA to take over the reins of FTS2000. She served as the FTS Assistant Commissioner for Service Delivery until her appointment as Deputy Commissioner of FTS in November 1997.

Ms. Bates has been an active leader in the federal telecommunications community throughout her career, both as a customer of FTS, and as a key leader in the development and implementation of government-wide telecommunication initiatives. She served as the Interagency Management Council Chairperson in 1995, leading the Council through the development of the acquisition strategy for FTS2001 and the merger of GSA’s local and long distance services.

Sandra Bates is the recipient of NASA’s Exceptional Medal, received the Fed 100 Award in 1994, 1996, and 1999, and was awarded the prestigious Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive by President Clinton in 1999. In 2000, she received the IRMCO 2000 Award, the Government Information Technology Award 2000, and the Industry Advisory Council Outstanding Individual Government Communicator 2000 Award.

She earned a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Roanoke College. Ms. Bates is a native of Northern Virginia and lives in Fairfax Station, Virginia with her husband, Tom.