CMS

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Manages Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare programs. Major buyer of healthcare IT, claims processing, and compliance systems.

FY2026 Budget

$900B+

healthcare benefits, program administration

OSDBU Contact

Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization - osdbuprograms@cms.hhs.gov

2026 Trend

Healthcare interoperability standards, fraud detection systems, Medicaid expansion IT, telehealth integration

How to Win Contracts from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

As a major federal contracting entity, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) commands a FY2026 budget of $900B+. The agency consistently utilizes SAM.gov to distribute its competitive and set-aside awards.With a strategic focus on healthcare compliance and security (hipaa) essential and multi-year contracts for system modernization, this agency presents targeted opportunities for contractors operating within critical NAICS codes like 541511 and 541512.

For emerging contractors, the most effective entry strategy is to identify recompete opportunities — contracts currently held by incumbents that are expiring within the next 12 to 18 months.CMS recompetes often have predictable scopes and defined evaluation criteria, making them significantly easier to bid intelligently than entirely new requirements.

CMS controls largest federal healthcare spend. Excellent for healthcare IT firms. Compliance requirements significant but healthcare expertise = competitive moat. Telehealth growth = expanding opportunities.

Procurement Focus & Requirements

  • Healthcare compliance and security (HIPAA) essential
  • Multi-year contracts for system modernization
  • Provider relationship management important
  • Scale and performance critical (millions of beneficiaries)

Top NAICS Codes — CMS

These NAICS codes appear most frequently in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services solicitations. Include these in your SAM.gov registration to appear in agency searches and qualify for relevant set-asides.

Common Recompete Categories at CMS

Recompetes — contracts currently held by an incumbent that are coming up for renewal — are the highest-probability opportunity for new entrants. These categories see recurring recompetes at Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services:

1

Healthcare claims processing systems

2

Fraud detection and prevention systems

3

Healthcare provider IT services

4

Medicaid/Medicare system upgrades

Track live recompete opportunities in WinBidIQ

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Contracting: FAQs

How much does Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services spend on contracts annually?+
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has a FY2026 budget of $900B+ (healthcare benefits, program administration). Contract spending goes toward 5 primary NAICS code categories, with healthcare interoperability standards, fraud detection systems, medicaid expansion it, telehealth integration. Small businesses compete for set-aside contracts across all major spending categories.
What NAICS codes does CMS use for small business contracts?+
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services most frequently awards contracts under NAICS codes 541511, 541512, 621610, 541611, 622110. These cover Healthcare compliance and security (HIPAA) essential, Multi-year contracts for system modernization, Provider relationship management important. Register in SAM.gov with these codes and ensure your size is within SBA size standards for each code to qualify for set-asides.
How do I contact CMS's small business office?+
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services's small business contact is: Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization - osdbuprograms@cms.hhs.gov. This office — typically called the OSDBU or OSBP — runs small business outreach events, matchmaking sessions, and subcontracting fairs. Attending these events is one of the most effective ways to get pre-RFP visibility with contracting officers.
What types of contracts does CMS award to small businesses?+
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services awards set-aside contracts under multiple socioeconomic programs including small business, 8(a) Business Development, WOSB (Women-Owned Small Business), SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned), and HUBZone. Common contract vehicles include Healthcare claims processing systems and Fraud detection and prevention systems. Most contracts over $25K are posted on SAM.gov.
What is the best strategy to win a first CMS contract?+
Start by identifying recompete opportunities — contracts expiring within 12 months where the incumbent may be vulnerable. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recompete categories include: Healthcare claims processing systems; Fraud detection and prevention systems; Healthcare provider IT services. Build past performance through subcontracting first, then bid on small set-asides. Attend OSDBU outreach events to meet program managers before RFPs drop.
What is CMS's procurement trend for 2026?+
Healthcare interoperability standards, fraud detection systems, Medicaid expansion IT, telehealth integration. CMS controls largest federal healthcare spend. Excellent for healthcare IT firms. Compliance requirements significant but healthcare expertise = competitive moat. Telehealth growth = expanding opportunities. Monitor SAM.gov and USASpending.gov for emerging solicitations and forecast notices — ideally 6-12 months before RFP release.

Find CMS Contracts Matched to Your Company

WinBidIQ monitors SAM.gov daily and scores every Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services solicitation by fit to your company profile — NAICS codes, certifications, size, and past performance.