How to bid on Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) IT Standards RFI from HHS

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), is asking for information to help create new IT standards for Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES). This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a bid for a contract. CMS wants feedback from states, technology vendors, system integrators, and other experts on what works well and what needs improvement in current Medicaid IT systems.

Your input can help shape future IT standards, which could influence how states procure and implement Medicaid technology. This is an opportunity to provide insights that may lead to future contract opportunities aligned with these new standards.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This RFI was published on August 13, 2026. Responses are due by September 25, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET. This deadline is for submitting your feedback to CMS. After the deadline, CMS will review all submitted information to inform their development of the MES IT Standards Program.

Who this opportunity suits

This RFI is suitable for technology vendors, systems integrators, and other industry experts with experience in Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES). If your firm provides IT solutions, consulting, or services related to healthcare information technology, especially within the Medicaid domain, your insights are relevant. This is particularly for firms that understand the challenges and successes of current MES implementations and can offer actionable recommendations for improvement and standardization.

How to respond

To access the full RFI details, you would typically click on the 'View original source' link on the portal. Sometimes, you might need to click this link twice if it first takes you to the portal's homepage. While some opportunities require a free account to view documents, many do not.

Once you have reviewed the RFI document, prepare your responses. Be clear and concise, and preface your answers with the corresponding question label (e.g., SA-1, V-2) as requested by CMS. Submit your completed responses via email to [email protected] and [email protected].

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Even though this is an RFI and not a direct bid for a contract, a well-structured and thoughtful response can establish your firm as a knowledgeable expert. Focus on providing specific, actionable information. Highlight your firm's experience and capabilities in areas where you suggest improvements or new standards.

Ensure your feedback directly addresses the goal of the RFI: to gather information that helps overcome barriers to MES transformation and supports a more standardized, interoperable, and cost-effective future. Clearly articulate what elements of the current ecosystem you believe are working well and which require improvement, offering practical solutions or recommendations for CMS support.