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OPTN Modernization Initiative

HRSA Announces Multi-Vendor Contractors

Read the full press release from the Department of Health & Human Services.

All additional updates can be found on the HRSA OPTN Modernization website.

In September 2024, HRSA announces the contractors who will assist in implementing the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act, which allowed for multi-vendors instead of a singular contractor.

As part of the first release of awards under the Operations Transition contract, HRSA awarded contracts to the following:

  1. Improving Patient Safety–Arbor Research Collaborative for Health will address patient safety and the policy compliance systems and processes overseen by the OPTN Board of Directors and the Membership and Professional Standards Committee to improve oversight of the multiple entities in the OPTN.  
  2. Supporting OPTN IT Modernization–General Dynamics Information Technology, Inc. will focus on the opportunities to improve the OPTN organ matching IT system and inform HRSA’s Next Generation IT procurement and development work. 
  3. Increasing Transparency and Public Engagement in OPTN Policy Development–Maximus Federal Services will advance opportunities to improve public visibility and engagement in the OPTN policy-making process including improving transparency around OPTN policy-making committees’ deliberations and actions.
  4. Strengthening Patient-Centered Communications–Deloitte Consulting will focus on improvements in communications from the OPTN, within the OPTN and, importantly, with patients and families. 
  5. Improving OPTN Financial Management–Guidehouse Digital will address improvements for OPTN’s budget development and management systems and processes. 

ASTS looks forward to working with these new contractors to seek improvements in the best transplant system in the world.

How ASTS is supporting the OPTN Modernization Initiative

  • ASTS formed a Work Group dedicated to the Modernization Initiative. This group includes members from diverse backgrounds and experiences, including former presidents of ASTS and UNOS, and those familiar with HRSA and the history of UNOS. The Work Group has drafted a Statement of Principles on the new OPTN structure. This set of principles has been shared with HRSA to take into consideration as they progress through their action plan. Additionally, an Executive Summary has been drafted for interactions with key decisionmakers.
  • ASTS has met with both the change management group and representatives of HRSA on four separate occasions since June 2023 to foster an open dialogue and ensure our voice is heard during this process. HRSA is committed to working with the leadership of ASTS and we believe we are well positioned to help navigate this important process in partnership with all the key stakeholders.
  • Members of ASTS leadership and the Work Group participated in HRSA’s OPTN Industry Days. This assisted in gaining an understanding of how multiple contracts and vendors will collaborate, and how stakeholders like ASTS can be part of the solution.

    ASTS Response to the HRSA Modernization Initiative
    (March 24, 2023)

    ASTS looks forward to working with HRSA and is supportive of changes to organ transplantation and donation to best serve transplant recipients, organ donors, their families, and the surgeons, physicians, and transplant teams who care for them. Given the complexity and breadth of this endeavor, we especially appreciate that HRSA said it will work in close coordination with all stakeholders, and we commit to helping them in an iterative and well-informed process. We strongly believe that any changes to the system must carefully weigh the impact of any changes addressed well in advance of implementing those changes. We also urge HHS to take this opportunity to coordinate the efforts of all agencies within the department to significantly increase access to transplantation and to address existing disparities.