The Department of Health and Human Services is preparing to transition to the production phase its “Reimagined – Buy Smarter†program, which uses artificial intelligence to accelerate data analysis to identify cost-saving concepts and help with price comparisons, Federal News Network reported Friday.Â
“Buy Smarter is an innovative opportunity for HHS to look at our category management, break down some stove pipes, and consolidate our requirements across the department,†Lori Ruderman, senior adviser and co-lead for Buy Smarter, said on the network’s Federal Monthly Insights – Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. She noted that in addition to AI, HHS uses natural language processing and robotic process automation to avoid duplication of effort through the program.
HHS will launch the 18 steps of technology for government buyers later this year and has an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract worth $49 million for a list of emerging and new technology platforms, according to the report. Ruderman said the program support center within HHS leads that contract. “And we are hoping to get a very large number of vendors who can provide these catalog services not just for reimagined Buy Smarter, but the contract is designed so that it can be scaled and shared across HHS and potentially across the federal space.â€
