# NIH Extends Epidemiology Research Contract

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) extended Social & Scientific Systems Inc.’s epidemiology research contract for two years at $20 million after staffing changes and organizational realignments delayed a planned full-and-open recompete. NIH says the recompete has not begun and will require a full two years; it also estimates that transitioning the work to another awardee would cost $9 million. The extension gives the incumbent continuity while leaving the timing of a future competition uncertain.

- **Why this matters:** The extension preserves the incumbent’s work under contract HHSN273201600003I while NIH prepares for a future competition.
- Contractors interested in the work can use the expected two-year recompete period for business planning, but should account for uncertainty because NIH has not started the process.
- Companies evaluating a bid should factor in the stated $9 million transition estimate when assessing the potential transition requirements and costs.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Healthcare
**Published:** October 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)

### Vendors
- Social & Scientific Systems Inc. (Incumbent contractor and recipient of the two-year extension)

### Sources
- [Health Officials: DOGE Disruptions Upended $112 Million Epidemiology Contract - The Washington Sun](https://www.notus.org/health/nih-contracts-epidemiology-doge) - notus.org