Latest Updates:
October 03, 2025
Contract Expirations & Furlough Impact on Inquiries
According to the Deltek Contracts Database, the incumbent contracts under the HHS ONE Professional Services Solution (HOPSS) are set to expire in April 2026 and June 2027.
The Contracting Office has confirmed that the Points of Contact for this requirement are currently furloughed due to the ongoing lapse in appropriations. As a result, information regarding this opportunity is unavailable, and the Agency will not be able to respond to inquiries until further notice.
In today’s rapidly evolving health and human services landscape, federal agencies require agile, innovative, and mission-aligned support to meet growing demands. To meet this need, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), is launching a powerful new contract vehicle: the HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS), a $3.6 billion dollar IDIQ with an ordering period of 10 years.
HOPSS is more than just a follow-up to the NIH’s SOAR (Scientific Operations and Administrative Resources) contract. It represents a strategic leap forward. Designed to deliver a full spectrum of STEM and operational support services across all HHS agencies, HOPSS is poised to become one of the most impactful professional services vehicles in federal space.
HOPSS aligns with HHS’s FY2022- 2026 strategic goals, including strengthening healthcare access, enhancing public health, fostering research, and improving agency transparency. It is built to support all 13 Operating Divisions and 10 Regional Offices of HHS, including NIH, FDA, CDC, and CMS, with expanded capabilities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), and operational services.
What is HOPSS?
The HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS) is a forthcoming multi-award IDIQ contract that aims to provide flexible, enterprise-wide access to critical professional services across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Managed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), HOPSS will support HHS’s evolving mission through two primary task areas:
Task Area 1: STEM Services
Prospective offerors will deliver professional STEM-related services that support and expand understanding of healthcare, public health, human services, and biomedical research. Services may include, but are not limited to:
- Scientific research support, laboratory operations, and clinical trial coordination
- Patient care, including assessment, diagnosis, and treatment recommendations
- Advanced data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications
- Software development, IT support, and systems engineering
- Facilities and construction management for scientific environments
- Statistical modeling, data analysis, and biostatistics
- Emergency preparedness and public health safety support
These services will be supported by a wide range of specialized labor categories, such as medical officers, clinical researchers, molecular biologists, data analysts, engineers, and computer scientists.
Task Area 2: Business and Operational Services Supporting STEM
Selected offerors will also provide essential business and operational support services that facilitate the execution and management of STEM initiatives across HHS. These services include, but are not limited to:
- Program and project management
- Executive and administrative support
- Grants and contract management
- Business analysis and process improvement
- Strategic communications, documentation, and editorial services
- Facility operations, logistics, and maintenance planning
- Data review, reporting, and performance monitoring
Relevant labor categories include project managers, management analysts, editors, grants management specialists, operations coordinators, and executive assistants.
Key Points To Consider
As the HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS) acquisition advances toward formal solicitation, potential offerors should prepare for the expected qualifications and compliance requirements that will support successful participation in this government-wide IDIQ vehicle. While the final Request for Proposal (RFP) is yet to be released, several key considerations have emerged from the ongoing market research and Industry Day sessions.
1. Accounting System Compliance:
Vendors are expected to have an audited accounting system that meets the requirements under FAR 16.301-3(a)(1). This ensures accurate cost tracking for cost-reimbursement and time-and-materials task orders. While not an outright disqualifier at this stage, the presence of a compliant accounting system will likely be a prerequisite for award.
2. Certifications:
HHS has indicated that applicable quality and risk management credentials may be considered valuable in the evaluation. Vendors should be prepared to demonstrate adherence to industry best practices, including:
- ISO 9001: Quality Management
- ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security
- CMMI for Services or Development
- PMP or ITIL certifications for project and service management roles
These certifications are not required at the time of market research, but may strengthen a proposal and mitigate perceived performance risks.
3. Facility or Personnel Clearances:
No security clearance requirements have been defined at the IDIQ level. However, as with most large-scale professional services contracts, individual task orders may impose clearance requirements, especially for work involving sensitive data, public health infrastructure, or confidential research protocols. Selected contractors should maintain flexibility and readiness to onboard cleared personnel if required.
4. NAICS Code and Size Standard:
The primary NAICS code for HOPSS is 541690, Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, with a small business size standard of $19 million. Offerors must self-certify under this code and be prepared to demonstrate their eligibility and alignment with the scope of services.
5. Teaming and Socioeconomic Considerations:
HHS has actively encouraged Contractor Team Arrangements (CTAs), particularly those involving 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and SDB partners. Although a full or partial small business set-aside has not been confirmed, participation in these categories may influence evaluation and set-aside eligibility at the task order level.
Overview of the Latest Amendment (Amendment 4)
Since its original launch, the HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS) initiative has undergone a number of changes, which demonstrate HHS’s dedication to open communication and active industry participation. The most recent and important milestone to date is Amendment 4, which was released in early 2025 and supports small company preparation by improving access to essential resources.
While the earlier amendments focused on clarifying submission procedures, extending deadlines, and sharing industry questions and answers, Amendment 4 marks a shift toward facilitation and collaboration.
What’s New in Amendment 4?
- Video Recording of Industry Day Now Available: For the first time, a complete recording of the HOPSS Market Research Industry Day (held on November 19, 2024) has been made publicly available on the NIDA YouTube channel. This recording offers vendors a comprehensive overview of the acquisition’s background, contract scope, expected structure, and HHS’s vision for HOPSS. It is a valuable resource for those who could not attend the live session.
- Small Business Interested Vendor List Released: As a key step to promote teaming opportunities, Amendment 4 includes the publication of the Small Business Interested Vendor List. This list highlights vendors who responded to HHS’s teaming survey, which is intended to support matchmaking among firms seeking to partner in pursuit of the HOPSS contract. It reflects HHS’s strong emphasis on small business participation and early teaming formation.
Recap of Prior Amendments
- Amendment 1: Launched the Market Research Industry Day registration process and introduced the Small Business Survey tool to gather interest
- Amendment 2: Shared the Industry Day presentation deck and identified HHS OSDBU contacts, inviting questions from industry
- Amendment 3: Provided detailed responses to over 70 industry questions, clarifying scope, teaming, submission expectations, and task order dynamics. It also confirmed that HOPSS will follow SOAR’s structure but expand participation
Together, these amendments illustrate a maturing acquisition strategy that is increasingly focused on practical implementation and industry readiness. With Amendment 4, HHS not only consolidates the insights shared so far but also empowers vendors to act, to build teams, finalize capability statements, and prepare for the anticipated Spring 2025 solicitation release.
Key Changes in Amendment 4
The release of Amendment 4 represents a pivotal moment in the HOPSS procurement lifecycle, transitioning from foundational planning to actionable insights and stakeholder engagement. Compared to previous updates, this amendment focuses on accessibility, collaboration, and industry readiness.
Key changes include:
- Public Access to the Industry Day Recording: For the first time, vendors who missed the live event can now view the complete Market Research Industry Day session via YouTube. This increases transparency and levels the playing field for all potential offerors
- Release of the Small Business Interested Vendor List: A comprehensive list of small businesses that submitted survey responses has been published, enabling proactive teaming and matchmaking across the industry
- Clarification of NAICS Code: A correction was made to confirm the applicable NAICS code as 541690, rectifying earlier references to a typographical error (540690) in the survey documentation
- Emphasis on Teaming Arrangements: HHS reiterated that contractors may bid on one or both task areas but are encouraged to form CTAs capable of covering the complete Statement of Work. This update reinforces HHS’s intention to foster inclusive, team-based proposals
These changes reflect HHS’s commitment to inclusivity, small business participation, and clear communication as it moves closer to formal solicitation release.
Impact on Contractors & Industry
The HOPSS program is expected to have a significant influence on how professional services are procured and delivered across the federal health ecosystem. The most notable impacts include:
- Greater Participation Opportunities: HOPSS is expected to be offered to a bigger pool of suppliers, providing opportunities for underrepresented enterprises and new entrants, in contrast to its predecessor, SOAR, which had five contract holders
- Increased Small Company Focus: There is a concerted drive to increase small company participation at the task order level and across the vehicle, as seen by the organized publication of the Interested Vendor List and focused outreach to socioeconomically diverse vendors
- Greater Demand for Agile, Specialized Teams: With an emphasis on both STEM and operational services, HOPSS encourages multi-disciplinary teams that can support research-driven and business-focused missions under tight timelines and evolving priorities
- Competitive Readiness Will Be Key: Contractors with a robust understanding of HHS operations, flexible staffing models, and readiness for fixed-price and T&M task orders will be in the strongest position to compete
At iQuasar, we see HOPSS as a business opportunity and a chance to contribute to national public health and research priorities meaningfully.
Next Steps & How to Stay Updated
To stay ahead in the HOPSS procurement process, you can take the following strategic steps:
- Monitor SAM.gov: Watch Notice ID 75N95025R00017 for the solicitation release, which is expected in Spring 2025
- Explore Teaming Opportunities: Review the Small Business Interested Vendor List and initiate conversations with potential teaming partners to ensure full task area coverage and socioeconomic representation
- Refine Capability Statements: Align your company’s past performance, technical expertise, and labor categories with the requirements outlined in the two HOPSS task areas
- Prepare Proposal Infrastructure: Make sure your proposal team has the necessary templates, certifications, and compliance records in order to meet the standards of FAR and HHS
- Engage with OSDBU Resources: The HHS Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) offers a Small Business Customer Experience (SBCX) portal to identify outreach opportunities and teaming partners
The HHS One Professional Services Solution (HOPSS) represents a forward-thinking shift in how professional services will be procured across the Department of Health and Human Services. From its inclusive scope and flexible task order structure to its emphasis on small business participation and emerging technologies, HOPSS is more than a contract vehicle; it’s a strategic platform designed to support innovation, collaboration, and mission delivery at scale.
At iQuasar, we have delivered proven and time-tested proposal support on various contract vehicles, including SEWP VI, OASIS+, PACTS III, and so on. We can help you strategize your proposal efforts on HOPPS and ensure that your proposal has a strategic edge. To find out how we can support your proposal efforts on this high-impact contract vehicle, contact us today!
