The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is taking on one of the biggest tech challenges in government, combining 119 separate federal HR systems used across federal agencies into one modern, unified platform. The goal is to simplify, save money, and finally bring federal HR into the digital age.
Why Change Is Needed
Right now, each agency runs its own human capital management system, costing taxpayers about $5.5 billion a year and supported by 44,000 HR professionals. Because these systems don’t communicate with one another, basic HR processes—like verifying service history or assembling retirement files—can be slow and error-prone. Leaders also lack real-time data to make workforce decisions for the government’s 2 million employees.
The Plan
On October 18, 2025, OPM released a request for proposals seeking a cloud-based, FedRAMP-certified software platform that can handle hiring, payroll, benefits, retirement, and workforce analytics in one place. The contract award is expected by December 2025, followed by a pilot system live by April 2026, and a full rollout by July 4, 2027. This is OPM’s third attempt to launch a government-wide HR modernization effort after two earlier plans fell through in 2025. This time, OPM says the process will be open and competitive.
What It Means for You
For federal employees, the changes could eventually mean faster service for hiring, promotions, and retirement claims, fewer data errors and less paperwork, and better visibility into career paths and workforce planning.
Challenges Ahead
Merging 119 federal HR systems isn’t simple. Each agency has unique requirements, and payroll integration could be tricky. Still, OPM says flexibility and collaboration will guide the process. OPM Director Scott Kupor, confirmed in July 2025, is leading the effort. With a background in technology and innovation, Kupor aims to move HR teams away from system maintenance and toward talent management.
Bottom Line
Missing or inaccurate data can affect your benefits, pay, or retirement processing when you need them most. As OPM works to modernize these outdated systems, now’s the time to make sure your own records are accurate and up to date. A Federal Retirement Consultant (FRC®) can help review your file, catch potential mistakes, and ensure you’re on the right path for retirement.
