Intent to Sole Source: Firm Fixed-Price, Non-Personal Service Type, Commercial Item to provide Pharmacy Claims Switching and Benefit Eligibility Verification Services for multiple Great Plains Area IHS Healthcare Facilities, various locations in ND and SD.
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Indian Health Service (IHS), Great Plains Area, has issued an Intent to Sole Source a Firm Fixed-Price, Non-Personal Services contract to Change Healthcare Operations, LLC. This contract is for Pharmacy Claims Switching and Benefit Eligibility Verification Services for multiple IHS healthcare facilities across North Dakota and South Dakota. Responses demonstrating competitive advantage are due by March 23, 2026.
Scope of Work
The selected vendor will provide essential Pharmacy Claims Switching and Benefit Eligibility Verification Services. These services are critical for the efficient operation of IHS healthcare facilities in the Great Plains Area, ensuring proper processing of pharmacy claims and verifying patient benefit eligibility.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed-Price, Non-Personal Services, Commercial Item
- Anticipated Awardee: Change Healthcare Operations, LLC
- Duration: One-year base period + four one-year option periods
- Estimated Award Date: March 23, 2026
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- Response Due: March 23, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: March 6, 2026
Justification & Response
This sole-source action is pursued under FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source). Market research indicated that Change Healthcare Operations, LLC is the only vendor with an interface compatible with the IHS's legacy Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS). They are also the current provider for VA/IHS facilities and hold a GSA contract offering advantageous pricing.
Interested parties must submit clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, not cost- or time-prohibitive, and would not hinder agency standardization. This notice is not a request for quotes or proposals.
Additional Notes
The estimated total contract value is below the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. The Government retains sole discretion on whether to pursue a competitive procurement. Respondents will not be reimbursed for costs incurred. Questions must be emailed to David Jones (David.Jones@ihs.gov) with the subject line: "Notice of Intent Questions Submission – IHS1516320 – Change Healthcare Operations, LLC." Phone calls will not be accepted.