Monster gets OPM contract

In the latest contracting hoopla over Monster Government Solutions’ (MGS) Web services for job openings in the federal government, the Office of Personnel Management awarded a $27 million contract to MGS to maintain the agency’s USAJobs Web site.

Two months ago, the Homeland Security Department terminated MGS’ contract with the agency. DHS officials said they canceled the contract with the subsidiary of Monster Worldwide after they were unable to access much of the data 232,000 registered users submitted to three department divisions: Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Citizenship and Immigration Services. DHS was using Monster's QuickHire software which is not being used by OPM, according to an agency spokesman.

But late last week, OPM Director Linda Springer said the agency will continue its relationship with MGS.

"MGS has a track record of success, and its management team has committed the expert resources required to serve the American public's ever-growing interest in federal jobs," Springer said.

The performance-based contract calls on the company to deliver continuous innovation through emerging technologies to improve service reliability, the overall job search and application experience, and the hiring process for federal human resources officers.

OPM’s history with Monster goes back a long way. Under a previous contract, Monster replaced USAJobs' technology in 2003, expanding its search capabilities. The site gets 250,000 visitors a day and has registered 1.5 billion hits, Springer said.

She said she is happy for the company to “provide service and product innovation to individuals looking for careers in public service."