An acquisition strategy (AS) is a comprehensive plan detailing how an organization will procure necessary goods and services to achieve its objectives. The HHS Acquisition Strategy Directive provides the foundation for the process. Acquisition Strategies that include information technology (IT) are also governed by the HHS Federal Information Technology Acquisition Reform Act Implementation Plan and the HHS Policy for Information Technology Acquisition Reviews (ITAR), which require HHS Operating Divisions (OpDivs) Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to approve an AS that contains IT. The CIO for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) uses the ITAR process to review and approve NIH acquisition strategies containing IT.
For the NIH, an acquisition strategy is crucial for:
- Mission Support: Ensuring timely and cost-effective procurement of resources like medical supplies and research equipment.
- Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to federal laws and HHS-specific guidelines.
- Cost Management: Controlling costs through competitive bidding, bulk purchasing, and other measures.
- Risk Mitigation: Identifying and addressing procurement risks, including supplier performance and supply chain disruptions.
- Efficiency and Effectiveness: Streamlining procurement processes and establishing clear procedures.
- Innovation and Adaptability: Staying responsive to new needs and technologies through innovative procurement methods.
An acquisition strategy that contains IT is vital to NIH and HHS as it ensures that the procurement of goods and services is conducted in a manner that supports the agency’s mission, complies with regulations, manages costs, mitigates risks, enhances efficiency, and promotes innovation.
Key Elements of the NIH ITAR
- ICOs/Programs will use the HHS Acquisition Strategy Template, which is found on the HHS Acquisition SharePoint site (VPN may be required) to submit acquisition strategies for IT.
- The NIH CIO will engage OCIO critical partners (Cybersecurity, CPIC, Section 508, ITAR, and EA) and members of the NIH Head of Contracting Activity (HCA) to assist in reviewing acquisition strategies for IT.
- ICOs/Programs that have an acquisition strategy for IT that will be reviewed by HHS will present their acquisition strategy to the NIH CIO before the NIH CIO approves it.
High Level Process Overview
Tools for Completing an Acquisition Strategy for IT
- HHS Acquistion Strategy Template
- Supplemental Guidance for Completing an Acquisition Strategy with IT Components
- Sample Acquisition Strategy for IT
- FAQs about an Acquisition Strategy for IT
Historical Information
Contact
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References
HHS Acquisition Strategy and ITAR Information
- HHS Acquisition Portal
- HHS Acquisition Guides and Templates
- HHS Directive for Acquisition Strategy (HHS Acquisition Strategy guidance document)
- HHS ITAR Process
NIH DAPE Information