OPM tries again to modernize HR systems with new RFP

The Office of Personnel Management is taking a second bite at the apple to modernize its human resources platform.

OPM released a new request for proposals on Thursday through the General Services Administration schedules program for a secure, cloud-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) human capital management (HCM) platform.

“The objective of this acquisition is to deploy an integrated, enterprise-wide core HR platform—powered by a secure, FedRAMP-authorized SaaS solution—that consolidates key human capital functions, including personnel management, time and attendance, leave, benefits administration, learning and performance management and workforce analytics,” the RFP states. “The platform must enable seamless interoperability with critical external systems (e.g., USA Staffing, GSA Payroll, eOPF, eHRI, LMS, and benefits systems) and eliminate the data and process gaps currently affecting onboarding, pay accuracy, personnel action sequencing, leave eligibility and audit reporting.”

The solicitation says the platform will be used for OPM’s workforce of 2,000 to 3,000 people.

“Today, OPM’s ability to execute its HR mission is constrained by a patchwork of aging, siloed systems — including HR Links and other legacy platforms — that were not designed to meet the interoperability, transparency, or compliance standards required of a 21st-century federal agency. These systems suffer from significant functional and architectural limitations. They do not reliably validate or audit changes, cannot properly sequence concurrent personnel actions, and often propagate incorrect data across records — creating widespread downstream effects on payroll, benefits, and employee entitlements. Additionally, basic processes such as onboarding, promotions, and leave tracking require time-consuming workarounds that increase the risk of error and delay service delivery,” the RFP states. “By transitioning to a single, integrated platform, OPM will not only address current operational gaps but also establish the infrastructure necessary to lead by example and support a modern, data-driven federal HR ecosystem.”

OPM is asking for questions about the one-year base, with four one-year options, firm fixed price solicitation by May 27 and bids are due by June 6. OPM didn’t list a ceiling for the contract value. The special item numbers they are using are 518210C for cloud computing and cloud related IT professional services and 54151S for IT professional services.

“Vendors are encouraged to propose innovative, outcome-based solutions. The Government reserves the right to make an award based on initial offers without further discussion. Quoters should submit their best terms with their initial quote,” the RFP states. “This solicitation uses a streamlined, performance-based approach focused on vendor innovation, execution readiness, and outcome accountability.”

Vendor sources say bidders could include Workday, SAP, Deloitte, Guidehouse, Oracle, YRCI and EconSys.

First award cancelled

This new RFP comes two weeks after OPM announced a sole source award to Workday and then cancelled it soon after.

OPM made the initial award to Workday for a year as part of a pilot with a plan to open up a competition more broadly.

But two days later, OPM cancelled the deal without explanation.

This new solicitation emphasizes the need for interoperability with governmentwide human capital systems and shared service providers, including but not limited to systems operated by OPM like EHRI, USA Staffing, USA Performance as well as other designated federal platforms.

“The system must enable real-time or near real-time data exchange using modern integration methods such as application programming interfaces (APIs), data services or analogous technologies. This capability must support centralized oversight, data sharing, and end-to-end visibility across federal HR processes, consistent with emerging federal shared services and enterprise data strategies,” the RFP states.

OPM is giving the vendor 90 days to deliver the complete HCM platform and then another 60 days to operate it in parallel with the legacy system to ensure interoperability and user acceptance testing.

“Within 30 calendar days of system production launch, at least 95% of users must be able to log in, access their assigned functionality, and complete at least one core HR transaction (e.g., initiate or approve a personnel action, enter or approve time, submit a leave request) without error or escalation,” the RFP states. “Conduct a user satisfaction survey within six months of full implementation. At least 80% of users must indicate satisfaction (rating of “satisfied” or higher) with the system’s usability, performance, and ability to support HR and workforce management tasks. Survey design and execution must be coordinated with the Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO).”

OPM says if the vendor fails to meet these requirements by day 30, the vendor will have to repay the government 5% of the current year’s total price for each calendar week (or part thereof) that the milestone is delivered late, provided that the delay is not the sole fault of the government.

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