What You Should Know
- The Opportunity: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a new requirement to procure a comprehensive Electronic Health Record (EHR) system for its Immigration Health Service Corps (IHSC).
- The Scope: The contract, estimated between $50M and $100M, calls for an “integrated, multi-module correctional EHR” that covers everything from dental care to claims management.
- The Timeline: Vendors should prepare quickly; the solicitation is expected to drop by April 30, with a final contract award anticipated in Q4 of Fiscal Year 2026.
The “All-in-One” Requirement
The procurement notice makes it clear that ICE is not looking for a simple clinical documentation tool. The new system must be a multi-module powerhouse.
Vendors usually pitch EHRs as clinical tools, but this requirement demands a hybrid of clinical and administrative capability. The system must handle:
- Clinical Care: Medical, dental, and mental health tracking.
- Operations: Medication administration and pharmacy management.
- Finance: Utilization management, claims management, and medical payments.
This broad scope suggests that ICE wants to consolidate its tech stack, moving away from disjointed tools for care and billing into a single “case management system.”
The “Agile” Mandate
Interestingly, the requirements explicitly demand alignment with Agile software development practices. In the world of federal contracting, “Agile” is often a buzzword, but here it is a structural requirement. The winning vendor must provide Tier II and Tier III support covering system development and integration, implying that the software will need to evolve continuously rather than being a static “install and forget” solution.
Furthermore, the barrier to entry is high: Vendors must possess (or secure within one year) certification from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). This ensures that the system meets national interoperability standards—a critical feature for tracking the health history of individuals moving through the federal system.
The Timeline
For government contractors, the clock is ticking. The solicitation is expected to be released by April 30, with the award slated for the fourth quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 (July–September 2026). The period of performance is projected to run through September 2030.
