OPM early on payroll tech search

The Office of Personnel Management will begin looking for an e-Payroll technology solution next week — 18 months ahead of schedule — driven by the Homeland Security Department's need to be a model agency, said Janet Dubbert, who is managing the project.

OPM originally had planned to find new technology to replace old payroll systems in 2005, Dubbert told a meeting of the Industry Advisory Council March 12. But the Homeland Security Department (DHS) wanted a new system sooner to manage human resources, time and labor and other functions, she said.

One of the 24 e-government initiatives outlined in the President's Management Agenda, e-Payroll will consolidate 22 agencies that once performed payroll duties for agencies down to four. Those four ultimately will consolidate payroll operations into two organizations.

By the end of September 2004, the Agriculture Department's National Finance Center will work with the Interior Department's National Business Center and the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will work with the General Services Administration to process all federal payrolls.

Dubbert said she will meet with the four agencies next week for a DHS presentation and discussion. Her goal for this fiscal year is to evaluate technologies and develop a strategic plan.