lenges,” said Kiran Ahuja, OPM Director, in a statement. “By awarding this contract to Workday, we’re laying the foundation for a more agile and user-friendly federal workforce system.”
Workday’s cloud-based HR software will replace a patchwork of legacy systems that have long plagued government HR operations with inefficiencies, delays, and inconsistent data. According to government procurement records, the multi-year contract—valued at several hundred million dollars—includes implementation, training, and ongoing support services. The system will support core HR functions such as employee onboarding, payroll integration, performance management, and workforce planning.
Industry experts see the move as a watershed moment for federal IT modernization. “This is a big win not just for Workday, but for the future of federal HR,” said Marcy Jacobs, a former digital services executive at the Department of Veterans Affairs. “It represents a cultural shift in how the government approaches employee services—more digital, more flexible, and much more responsive.”
For Workday, this contract is a significant validation of its capabilities in the public sector. While the company has already made inroads with local governments and educational institutions, this OPM partnership positions it at the heart of federal workforce transformation. Workday has pledged to maintain strong security protocols and comply fully with federal data protection standards throughout the rollout.
The initial phase of deployment is expected to begin in late 2025, with pilot implementations at selected agencies before a broader government-wide rollout. Both OPM and Workday have emphasized transparency and collaboration during the transition, promising regular updates to stakeholders and users.
As the federal workforce continues to evolve, the success of the OPM Workday HR contract could become a model for how technology can reshape public service delivery. Observers will be watching closely as implementation begins—hoping it leads not just to better systems, but also to a stronger and more efficient federal workforce.
