ORAU, the leading provider of innovative scientific and technical solutions to advance research and education, protect public health and the environment and strengthen national security, has been awarded a contract by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide technical assistance services in support of the Initiative to Support Promising Research (INSPIRE) program. The contract was awarded through the General Services Administration Multiple Award Schedule vehicle.
Under the five-year, $34 million contract, ORAU will provide technical assistance services to the CMS Innovation Center to support research and development activities related to health care delivery and payment models.
“We provide subject matter experts from across the health care continuum, including researchers, providers, policy experts and others who contribute technical expertise and external perspectives,” said Meghan Millwood, ORAU president and CEO. “These experts may support CMS activities related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of health care models, as directed by CMS. INSPIRE is a contract vehicle that enables access to subject matter expertise.”
“With ORAU, the structure is already in place. We bring experience, processes, and a network of experts to perform work as defined under the contract,” said Brenda Blunt, ORAU senior director of health and resiliency strategy.
INSPIRE is designed to connect private sector and academic expertise with federal research and programmatic efforts in health, science, and technology. INSPIRE experts may provide technical input related to healthcare delivery and payment models, including accountable care organizations, bundled payments, and value-based purchasing, as outlined in contract requirements and applicable task orders.
“We are honored to continue supporting CMS through INSPIRE,” Blunt said. ORAU may pursue similar opportunities with other agencies in accordance with applicable procurement requirements.
ORAU has provided subject matter expertise to CMS INSPIRE since 2011.