OPM Launches HR Shared Services Marketplace

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) launched a shared services marketplace for human resources (HR) solutions. It’s part of the federal government’s push toward shared services, which allows multiple agencies to share services at a fraction of the cost.

The Human Resources Quality Services Management Office (HR QSMO) is housed on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) Acquisition Gateway. It provides a one stop shop for HR solutions. There are a variety of service partners on the platform such as the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Interior Business Center, the Department of Agriculture’s National Finance Center, GSA’s Payroll Services Branch, and OPM’s HR Solutions. 

“The HR QSMO offers a marketplace of solutions compliant with robust, approved standards and helps agencies understand how to maximize their value,” according to the HR QSMO website.

Services offered include payroll, accounting, training, talent management, and time and attendance solutions.

A Work in Progress

Before creating the HR QSMO, OPM sought input from those in the federal government as well as the private sector. 

Steve Krauss, a senior advisor on the project, told FedScoop that OPM is looking at ways to onboard private sector services and is weighing the best ways to keep the services fresh and technologically up to date.

“This just creates a focal point to generate sort of more awareness and affinity for the HR QSMO, the HR line of business, and the things that OPM is trying to do in terms of leading the community forward,” said Krauss.  

Krauss also noted that federal HR leaders want a site to learn about industry best practices and solutions, in essence a community for HR leaders to exchange ideas.

“What you will find is the beginnings of a site that is going to progress over time to become that,” said Krauss, who noted that OPM will continue to build upon the site and is setting up a steering committee for the marketplace.

While OPM is currently pre-designated as the HR QSMO, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) advised the agency “to proceed to full operating capability as a QSMO while it completes its designation process.”

QSMOs were previously launched in cybersecurity, financial management, and grants.