For commercial health tech companies, breaking into the public sector healthcare market has long been a complex and often expensive process. Strict security, compliance, and interoperability requirements have created high barriers to entry.
However, a new opportunity is emerging where secure, compliant platform-as-a-service (PaaS) environments are making it easier for a broader range of health tech innovators to deploy solutions in federal health care settings.
These FedRAMP-aligned platforms are streamlining the process for vendors to deliver secure, scalable, and interoperable solutions to agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
More importantly, they are expanding the playing field for small businesses and commercial developers who previously lacked the resources to meet federal demands.
A Lower Barrier to Entry
In the past, vendors had to build their own secure environments and undergo lengthy FedRAMP authorization processes to operate in the federal space. This often took two to four years, required significant investment, and created a steep learning curve.
Today, pre-authorized PaaS environments remove much of that friction. By inheriting the controls of an already compliant environment, vendors can deploy their apps into a platform that already meets FedRAMP High, HITRUST, and SOC 2 requirements. This shift accelerates time to market and dramatically reduces the operational burden.
These platforms serve as a springboard for commercial companies to engage federal customers without having to start from scratch. For smaller vendors with strong health care solutions but limited compliance resources, this model unlocks a new path forward.
Many of these platforms are also designed and operated by teams with deep experience as both software developers and cloud service providers. That background matters. It brings a practical understanding of agile development, secure software lifecycles, and the realities of moving established on premises or commercial SaaS solutions into compliant cloud environments.
For smaller companies that already have a working product, this experience can translate into a more direct path forward. Rather than trading speed for cost or quality, vendors can build an environment that supports faster deployment while maintaining strong security and reliability.
Built-In Security and Interoperability
Security remains a top concern in federal health care IT. PaaS platforms designed for this space offer continuous monitoring, regular vulnerability scanning, and documented incident response protocols. This level of rigor helps agencies meet evolving cybersecurity mandates and offers peace of mind when working with new vendors.
Interoperability is also central to this model. Many secure cloud platforms include native support for health care standards like HL7, FHIR, and legacy interfaces such as VistA. This ensures vendors can more easily connect their applications to government systems and deliver real value without unnecessary delays or complications.
Faster Pilots, Lower Risk
FedRAMP-aligned PaaS platforms also enable faster innovation cycles. Agencies can pilot new solutions in 30 to 60 days rather than waiting a year or more for infrastructure and security clearances. This speed helps agencies adopt tools that improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency while still meeting stringent compliance standards.
For vendors, this means reduced risk and lower upfront investment. It also enables them to focus on what they do best, which is building high-impact applications, while the platform provider handles infrastructure and compliance.
When evaluating SaaS deployment options, due diligence should also consider the depth of experience embedded within the platform itself. The ability of a PaaS environment to support secure development practices, cloud migration, and ongoing lifecycle management can be just as important as the technology it hosts.
White-Glove Support and Multicloud Flexibility
Beyond infrastructure, many secure PaaS offerings include value-added services like onboarding assistance, architecture reviews, and DevSecOps automation. This guidance helps vendors deploy applications efficiently and ensures alignment with federal procurement and security expectations.
Modern PaaS platforms also support multi-cloud strategies, providing resilience and reducing the risk of vendor lock-in. Workloads can be deployed across cloud providers, supporting both high availability and operational continuity.
A Win for Agencies and Vendors Alike
By decoupling infrastructure management from application development, these platforms create benefits on both sides. Agencies gain access to innovative tools from a broader pool of vendors while maintaining security and reliability. Vendors can scale more easily, demonstrate value faster, and pursue longer-term federal engagements.
This model supports a more competitive and collaborative federal health IT ecosystem. It encourages innovation, speeds up adoption, and ultimately enhances the tools available to clinicians and patients across the government.
The Future of Health IT
The future of federal health IT is rooted in secure, cloud-native environments that are ready to support commercial innovation. As more agencies look to modernize their systems, PaaS platforms that meet the highest security and interoperability standards will become essential to their digital strategy.
By investing in these models, the federal government opens the door for more vendors to bring powerful, patient-focused technologies into the mission. And that is a win for everyone, especially the Veterans and citizens who rely on these systems every day.
About Antonio Segovia
Antonio Segovia is the chief information officer at DSS, Inc., where he leads the overall development of the company’s federal health IT solutions.
