GAO provided information regarding the: (1) current status of the Department of the Treasury's Federal Standard Civilian Payroll System (FEDSCPS); and (2) Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) budget request for FEDSCPS project funds.

GAO found that Treasury: (1) contracted for FEDSCPS development in 1985; (2) assigned project responsibility to IRS; (3) terminated its FEDSCPS contract in 1987 due to increasing costs, the contractor's failure to meet milestone dates, and increased system requirements; (4) organized a study team to evaluate alternatives for a new payroll system; and (5) is still considering the team's recommendation that Treasury select the Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Payroll and Personnel System. GAO also found that IRS requested $10.5 million for the FEDSCPS project in fiscal year 1989 for: (1) staff to perform testing, personnel training, data conversion, and account maintenance; and (2) hundreds of terminals and printers for its field offices.

Status Legend:

Review Pending-GAO has not yet assessed implementation status.

Open-Actions to satisfy the intent of the recommendation have not been taken or are being planned, or actions that partially satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-implemented-Actions that satisfy the intent of the recommendation have been taken.

Closed-not implemented-While the intent of the recommendation has not been satisfied, time or circumstances have rendered the recommendation invalid.

• Review Pending
• Open
• Closed - implemented
• Closed - not implemented

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter: Considering the status of FEDSCPS development and Treasury's pending decision to select the USDA payroll system, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Treasury, Postal Service, and General Government, may wish to explore current IRS justification for these funds.

Status: Review Pending

Comments: When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.