Payment Application Modernization (PAM)

Overview

The PAM Project is an effort to modernize the current mainframe-based software applications that are used to disburse approximately 1 billion federal payments annually. The existing payment system is a configuration of numerous software applications that generate check, wire transfer, and ACH payments for federal program agencies (FPAs), including Social Security, IRS, Veteran's Administration, as well as others.

The vision for the PAM initiative involves replacing 30+ COBOL and Assembler applications that have evolved over the last several decades, with a single standardized application. Because the basic functionality within all of the current applications is similar, a standardized system that is highly extensible and configurable is the desired end state. In addition to standardization, FMS is looking to modernize the technologies employed in the development of the system, using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products where feasible.

Additionally, the Project will incorporate new and enhanced functionality to support improvements in the payment process. The new payment application will operate within the FMS computing infrastructure. Because FMS applications development staff will maintain the new payment application once implemented, a well-defined strategy for transferring knowledge to FMS development staff will be an important aspect of this project.

Effective October 1, 2014, all federal agencies using Treasury disbursing services will be required to submit payment data in a newly developed standard input format.

Click here to read the Memorandum to all CFO’s and Deputy CFO’s regarding the Upcoming FMS Systems Changes and Timelines signed by Commissioner Lebryk on January 14, 2011.