Preparing for HOPSS: HHS’s $3.6B Professional Services Recompete for Small Businesses

The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing HOPSS (HHS One Professional Services Solution), a follow-on to NIH’s current Scientific Operations and Administrative Resources (SOAR) contract, which carries a $3.6 billion ceiling and supports an estimated 2,150 contractor staff across all 29 NIH organizations. HOPSS expands that scope significantly — from NIH-only to all of HHS, covering 13 operating divisions and 10 regional offices.

The RFP is expected in Q2 FY 2027, with anticipated award in Q2 FY 2028, and incumbent contracts have been extended through 2027 to bridge the transition. With over a year before the solicitation drops, firms have sufficient time to assess fit, build teaming arrangements, and develop a competitive capture strategy before the RFP is released.

OPPORTUNITY SNAPSHOT

  • Opportunity: HOPSS (HHS One Professional Services Solution)
  • Agency: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administered by NIH/NIDA
  • Estimated Value: $3.6B+ (expected to exceed SOAR ceiling due to HHS-wide expansion)
  • Expected RFP: Q2 FY 2027
  • Expected Award: Q2 FY 2028
  • Contract Type: Multiple-award IDIQ
  • Duration: 5-year base
  • Competition: Small Business Set-Aside (pending final determination)
  • NAICS: 541690 – Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services ($19M size standard)
  • Number of Awards: Multiple (TBD)

WHY HOPSS MATTERS

HOPSS is one of the largest professional services vehicles in the federal civilian health space.

  • The predecessor SOAR contract is NIH-only and has logged over $1.1 billion in spending across FY2022–2024 alone.
  • HOPSS expands that reach to the entire HHS enterprise, including CDC, FDA, CMS, ARPA-H, SAMHSA, and nine other operating divisions.
  • This scope expansion means significantly more task order volume than SOAR ever generated.

The contract covers two broad task areas:

  • STEM Services (scientific research support, bioinformatics, clinical research coordination, data science, engineering).
  • Business and Operational Services to support STEM activities (program management, grants management, administrative support, and operations).
  • Both task areas have extensive labor categories: from molecular biologists and statisticians to project managers and contract specialists.
  • None of the five current SOAR incumbents qualify for HOPSS, due to graduating as small business under NAICS 541690’s $19 million size standard.
  • A small business set-aside on a $3.6B+ vehicle with large-business incumbents ineligible to compete is a meaningful structural advantage for qualifying firms.
  • HOPSS is one of the more accessible large vehicles for firms that provide professional services in health-adjacent domains.

WHO SHOULD CONSIDER HOPSS

This is an ideal opportunity for:

  • Small businesses that are providing professional services in support of health research, public health, and HHS mission operations.
  • Firms with relevant experience in the following areas-
  • Scientific research support, laboratory services, or clinical research coordination
  • Bioinformatics, data analytics, or biostatistics
  • Health IT, software development, or data science in a life sciences context
  • Program and project management for federal health agencies
  • Grants management or acquisition support
  • Administrative and operational support for R&D programs

HOW OST CAN HELP

With the RFP more than a year out, HOPSS is in the capture and positioning phase — the right time to assess fit, build teaming strategies, and develop competitive intelligence before the solicitation drops. Given the $19 million NAICS size standard, teaming will be important for firms that need to demonstrate depth across the full statement of work.

OST supports professional services firms with federal procurements, including those that are associated with complex HHS and NIH procurements by offering:

  • Bid/No-Bid assessments: Evaluating alignment with HOPSS task areas, NAICS eligibility, and size standard considerations
  • Capture planning: Developing win themes and competitive positioning relative to incumbent and emerging competitors
  • Teaming strategy: Identifying complementary partners to strengthen technical coverage across both task areas.
    • OST has a partnering portal of 200+ companies, and many work within HHS and have professional services past performance.
  • Past performance strategy: Documenting relevant experience from federal, state, or commercial health and research sectors.
  • Proposal development: Technical approach, past performance narratives, and compliance for IDIQ submissions.

If this interests you, please book a call with OST Partner and President Bill Schalik via the button below.

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