State plans integrated global payroll system

The State Department is putting the finishing touches on a request for proposals that will enable it to purchase commercial software and systems integration services for a global payroll system.

The goal of the project is to replace two existing payroll systems with a single system known as the Worldwide Agencywide Locally Engaged Staff system, the department said in a presolicitation statement published June 24.

When the transition is completed, the new system will pay about 65,000 government employees, retirees and qualified beneficiaries in more than 180 countries.

In addition, State is interested in options that would enable it to include its U.S. payroll in the new system and acquire commercial time-and-attendance functions that could be integrated into the payroll system.

The announcement did not say when the RFP would be issued. However, the McLean, Va., market research and consulting firm Federal Sources Inc. expects it to be released by late summer.