Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Contracting Guide | Budget, NAICS & Contracting Opportunities

FY2026 Budget

$40B+

operations, health IT, research

OSDBU Contact

Office of Small Business Programs - OSMB@hhs.gov

2026 Trend

Rapid growth in telehealth platforms, COVID-era systems modernization, electronic health records interoperability

Market Intelligence

Real-time spending data via USAspending.gov

Annual Spend (FY2025)

Obligated to date

Budget UtilizationNaN%

Top Contract Awardees

$9.5B

$8.9B

$7.3B

$5.2B

$5.1B

WinBidIQ Insight: Department of Health and Human Services is showing high competition among the top 5 vendors. Small businesses should focus on subcontracting opportunities with these leaders or targeting niche set-asides where these giants are restricted.

How to Win Contracts from Department of Health and Human Services

As a major federal contracting entity, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) commands a FY2026 budget of $40B+. Recent market intelligence indicates a highly active procurement cycle, with obligated spend distributed among 5 primary vendors.With a strategic focus on hipaa compliance required for most contracts (healthcare data) and significant opportunities in health it 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.HHS recompetes often have predictable scopes and defined evaluation criteria, making them significantly easier to bid intelligently than entirely new requirements.

HHS is excellent entry for service providers (training, admin, HR). Healthcare IT is high-value but requires HIPAA expertise. Grant management systems offer recurring revenue potential. Moderate compliance burden.

Procurement Focus & Requirements

HIPAA compliance required for most contracts (healthcare data)
Significant opportunities in health IT modernization
Administrative and training services readily available
Small business set-asides common in training/administrative services

Top NAICS Codes — HHS

These NAICS codes appear most frequently in Department of Health and Human Services solicitations. Include these in your SAM.gov registration to appear in agency searches and qualify for relevant set-asides.

541511

541512

541611

621610

611710

Common Recompete Categories at HHS

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 Department of Health and Human Services:

Healthcare IT and electronic health records systems

Grant management and compliance systems

Training and educational content delivery

Data analytics and research support services

Track live recompete opportunities in WinBidIQ

Department of Health and Human Services Contracting: FAQs

How much does Department of Health and Human Services spend on contracts annually?+

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a FY2026 budget of $40B+ (operations, health IT, research). Contract spending goes toward 5 primary NAICS code categories, with rapid growth in telehealth platforms, covid-era systems modernization, electronic health records interoperability. Small businesses compete for set-aside contracts across all major spending categories.

What NAICS codes does HHS use for small business contracts?+

Department of Health and Human Services most frequently awards contracts under NAICS codes 541511, 541512, 541611, 621610, 611710. These cover HIPAA compliance required for most contracts (healthcare data), Significant opportunities in health IT modernization, Administrative and training services readily available. 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 HHS's small business office?+

Department of Health and Human Services's small business contact is: Office of Small Business Programs - OSMB@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 HHS award to small businesses?+

Department of Health and Human 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 IT and electronic health records systems and Grant management and compliance systems. Most contracts over $25K are posted on SAM.gov.

What is the best strategy to win a first HHS contract?+

Start by identifying recompete opportunities — contracts expiring within 12 months where the incumbent may be vulnerable. Department of Health and Human Services recompete categories include: Healthcare IT and electronic health records systems; Grant management and compliance systems; Training and educational content delivery. 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 HHS's procurement trend for 2026?+

Rapid growth in telehealth platforms, COVID-era systems modernization, electronic health records interoperability. HHS is excellent entry for service providers (training, admin, HR). Healthcare IT is high-value but requires HIPAA expertise. Grant management systems offer recurring revenue potential. Moderate compliance burden. Monitor SAM.gov and USASpending.gov for emerging solicitations and forecast notices — ideally 6-12 months before RFP release.

Find HHS Contracts Matched to Your Company

WinBidIQ monitors SAM.gov daily and scores every Department of Health and Human Services solicitation by fit to your company profile — NAICS codes, certifications, size, and past performance.

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