Goldman Edwards' $101M CMS Win Signals a New Playbook in Federal IT

BETHESDA, MD – June 03, 2026 – In a move that underscores a significant shift in the federal contracting landscape, the Goldman Edwards Tantus (GET) Joint Venture has secured a $101 million prime contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The award, which saw the GET partnership outperform seven other competitors, is for the agency's Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) Security Innovation and Operations (SIO) and Modernization Support program. While contract wins are routine in the Beltway, this one demands a closer look. It’s a story of strategic partnership, small business agility, and the critical, high-stakes mission to modernize America's healthcare infrastructure.

Goldman Edwards, an SBA-certified 8(a) small business, serves as the prime contractor and managing partner of the joint venture. For a company of its size to anchor such a substantial contract is a testament not only to its capabilities but also to a successful growth strategy that is becoming increasingly vital for navigating the complex federal marketplace.

"This award is another strong example of the trust and confidence our government customers continue to place in Goldman Edwards and our partners," said Jerrod Moton, Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Edwards, in the company's announcement. "Winning this contract as a prime through our Joint Venture is a significant milestone for our company and demonstrates the confidence agencies have in our leadership, delivery capabilities, and modernization vision."

Securing the Backbone of American Healthcare

The SIO program is not just another IT contract. It sits at the heart of CMS's mission to ensure quality and safety for millions of Americans. The CCSQ is responsible for a vast and interconnected web of systems that manage everything from clinical standards to quality-of-care data. As the healthcare ecosystem pushes for greater interoperability and real-time data exchange, the security and efficiency of this digital backbone have become paramount.

The contract tasks the GET joint venture with providing architectural leadership, enhancing cybersecurity, and coordinating modernization efforts across the CCSQ's sprawling IT environment. Key deliverables include developing standards-compliant APIs using Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR), delivering robust security operations, and providing continuous technology scanning to keep CMS ahead of emerging threats and innovations.

This initiative directly confronts a challenge that has plagued federal agencies for years: legacy IT. Government Accountability Office (GAO) reports have consistently flagged the risks associated with outdated government systems, which are often costly to maintain and vulnerable to cyberattacks. A significant portion of the government's multi-billion-dollar IT budget is spent simply keeping these old systems running. The SIO program represents a targeted investment to break that cycle within CMS, aiming for a more secure, resilient, and agile infrastructure capable of supporting future healthcare demands, including the integration of artificial intelligence.

The Small Business Prime: A Blueprint for Growth

For Goldman Edwards, this win is a watershed moment. As an SBA-certified 8(a) small business, the company is part of a program designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete for federal contracts. Landing a $101 million prime contract in a total small business set-aside competition is a powerful validation of that program's intent and the company's execution.

Beating seven other bidders is no small feat. It signals that CMS saw a compelling value proposition in the GET team's technical approach and leadership. This success story offers a playbook for other small businesses aiming to move from subcontractor roles to leading major federal initiatives. The key appears to be a combination of deep technical specialization, strategic investments, and intelligent partnering.

"At Goldman Edwards, we continue to invest in elite talent, proven partnerships, and modern technology capabilities that allow us to bridge the gap between government mission requirements and commercial innovation," Moton stated. This philosophy is evident in the firm's focus on high-demand sectors like cybersecurity, cloud transformation, and digital modernization across healthcare, transportation, and public safety.

The Power of the Joint Venture

The structure of the winning bid—a joint venture—is perhaps the most telling aspect of this award. Federal contracting is increasingly a team sport. Joint ventures allow companies to combine their strengths, pool resources, and present a more comprehensive and less risky solution to the government. In this case, the Goldman Edwards Tantus (GET) partnership blended the agility and 8(a) status of Goldman Edwards with the established expertise and resources of its partner, Tantus Technologies.

Goldman Edwards serves as the managing partner, taking the lead on contract management and overall delivery. This structure allows the smaller firm to gain invaluable prime contractor experience while leveraging the complementary capabilities of its partner. While the press release focuses on the lead partner, the success of the bid hinges on the combined expertise in cybersecurity, enterprise modernization, and mission-critical systems delivery that both firms bring to the table.

"This was truly a team effort and reflects the hard work, dedication, and collaboration between Goldman Edwards, Tantus, and our entire capture, proposal, and delivery teams," Moton added, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the win. This victory for the GET Joint Venture is a clear signal to the market that strategic alliances are not just a viable path to growth, but often a necessary one for tackling the federal government's largest and most complex challenges.