General Services Administration Plans $750 Million USA Hire Contract Overhaul

What's Happening?

The General Services Administration (GSA) has initiated the research phase for the recompete of the USA Hire contract, which provides human resources support to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The current contract, held by Personnel Decisions Research Institutes, was awarded in January 2021 with a ceiling value of $210.7 million. The new contract is expected to be significantly larger, with a ceiling of up to $750 million over eight years. The GSA's request for information suggests that the contract will likely remain a single award, focusing on delivering online assessments at scale across the government. The new contract will incorporate more artificial intelligence to enhance performance and identify applicants using AI unfairly.

Why It's Important?

The expansion of the USA Hire contract reflects a growing emphasis on modernizing federal hiring processes. By increasing the contract's value and incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, the GSA aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing millions of job applicants. This move aligns with directives such as the Merit Hiring Plan and the Chance to Compete Act, which emphasize skill-based assessments. The contract's expansion could lead to significant changes in how federal hiring is conducted, potentially affecting job seekers and federal agencies alike. The focus on AI also highlights the government's commitment to leveraging technology to streamline operations.

What's Next?

Responses to the request for information are due by October 8, with GSA planning one-on-one meetings later in the month. These discussions will likely shape the final contract specifications and determine the industry's role in supporting the USA Hire program. As the process unfolds, stakeholders, including federal agencies and potential contractors, will be closely monitoring developments to understand the implications for federal hiring practices and the broader human resources landscape.