The Defense Health Agency (DHA) is preparing a small business on-ramp for OMNIBUS IV, a $10B multiple-award IDIQ supporting defense health research, medical R&D, and translational science. OMNIBUS IV remains one of the largest small-business-accessible medical research vehicles running through 2032.
Now entering its fourth year, this 10-year contract is opening a major on-ramp designed to bring in small businesses from every socioeconomic category for the remaining six years of performance.
OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT
- Opportunity: OMNIBUS IV – Small Business On-Ramp
- Agency: DHA
- Estimated Value: $10B (Army estimate)
- Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
- Timing: Estimated RFP Q1 FY 2026 | Estimated Awards Q3 FY 2026
- Period of Performance: Remaining 6 years of a 10-year vehicle
- Primary NAICS: 541714 – R&D in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology)
- Scope Areas:
- Medical simulation and training technologies
- Infectious disease preparedness and countermeasures
- Military health, performance, and rehabilitation
- Joint battlefield healthcare solutions
- Radiation health effects research
- Clinical investigations and graduate health science education
- Chemical and biological readiness
- Genomics and precision or “omics” science
- Translational science — moving research discoveries into clinical or field use
WHAT OMNIBUS IV IS
OMNIBUS IV is a long-horizon defense health R&D vehicle and provides a pathway for agencies to access qualified partners for medical research, regulatory support, and translational science over the life of the contract.
To date, DHA has obligated approximately $118M on OMNIBUS IV, with nearly $400M in task orders released. Notably, there are many open task orders, which from our perspective is a clear signal that:
- the Government’s buying patterns on the vehicle are still emerging, and
- companies that combine strong technical capability with proactive capture and customer engagement gain a lasting competitive edge.
OST has already supported the on-ramp for two successful OMNIBUS IV prime contracting companies, giving us the insight and experience needed to help you determine exactly what it takes to successfully onboard onto this contract and position your company for future task order wins.
WHO SHOULD CONSIDER OMNIBUS IV
OMNIBUS IV is a strong fit for firms with experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Medical research and development
- Biotechnology and life sciences
- Translational science and dual-use health technologies
- Regulatory science and compliance support
- Clinical or pre-clinical research services
- Defense health or federal health research support
Firms with strengths in IT, engineering, data science, program management, or analysis can also be competitive by teaming with medical R&D specialists. OST, as a small woman-owned business, champions small business teaming that assists our clients partnering with companies that have the appropriate synergies, capabilities, past performance, and cultural fit to increase PWin. This strategy will be critical for most small businesses looking to successfully on-ramp onto OMNIBUS IV.
WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE SUCCESSFULLY
OMNIBUS IV evaluations tend to reward clear, mission-relevant proof points and a realistic execution approach. Competitive submissions typically show:
- Scientific and technical credibility tied to medical R&D outcomes
- Relevant R&D past performance (prime or key teammate)
- Understanding of defense health priorities and stakeholders
- Practical controls for compliance, reporting, and quality
- Credible staffing approach and strategic pricing
- A plan to engage buyers post-award and compete for task orders
This is a vehicle where strong writing, clear positioning, and well-organized evidence can materially improve how evaluators score the team.
HOW OST CAN HELP
OST supports small businesses evaluating and pursuing OMNIBUS IV by helping teams choose the right approach early, whether this means pursuing as a prime, joining as a teammate, or focusing on a niche where they can win task orders.
We provide targeted support, including:
- Capability and eligibility gap analysis specific to OMNIBUS IV
- Capture strategy aligned to defense health priorities and likely buyers, that includes pricing strategies and win theme creation.
- Teaming strategy support to build complementary R&D and compliance strength
- Proposal development and color team reviews
- Compliance checks tailored to medical and research-driven requirements
Leveraging our deep experience supporting awardees on the previous OMNIBUS vehicle, and our insight into the upcoming on-ramp, OST positions you to submit a high-PWin, fully compliant, and compelling proposal.
FINAL THOUGHT
OMNIBUS IV is best viewed as a long-term access play for defense health research funding. For small businesses with the right scientific foundation, or the right teaming plan, this on-ramp can be a meaningful way to build a pipeline through 2032.
If you’re unsure whether OMNIBUS IV makes sense for your firm or you need assistance creating the winning on-ramp solution, we’re happy to help you with your capture and proposal solutioning delivery.
