The Department of Defense, through the Health Readiness Contracting Organization, intends to award a sole-source contract to Baylor University for the Master of Science in Nutrition program. This procurement aims to establish a partnership with an accredited university to provide essential educational services, including conferring degrees, managing student enrollment, and certifying faculty members. The program is crucial for training healthcare professionals within the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence, ensuring they are equipped to serve in diverse and deployed environments. Interested parties may submit their capabilities by January 9, 2026, with inquiries directed to Arturo Castro at arturo.castro8.civ@health.mil or Linda McGhee at linda.a.mcghee.civ@health.mil.

Synopsis of Proposed Contract Action

Action:  
The Health Readiness Contracting Organization (HRCO) announces its intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order to Baylor University.

Authority:  
This action is pursued under the authority of 10 U.S.C. 3205, as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii). This authority allows for contracting using simplified procedures for certain commercial services when the services are available from only one responsible source, and no other type of service will satisfy the agency's needs.

North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code:  
611310 – Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools.

Description of Services

The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Graduate School's mission is to educate and train the next generation of clinical and administrative healthcare professionals in the federal sector. These uniformed service members are prepared to serve as clinician-scientists and leaders within the global military health system, often as generalist practitioners in diverse and deployed environments.

This contract will facilitate the Master of Science in Nutrition  by establishing a partnership with an accredited university. The selected partner will be responsible for:

* Conferring applicable degrees to students who meet established curricular requirements.
* Managing the enrollment of qualified students.
* Providing administrative support for the creation, storage, and provision of student transcripts.
* Certifying MEDCoE Graduate School faculty as affiliated university faculty members.

Justification for Sole-Source Award

Market research, incorporating both mandatory and non-mandatory sources, indicates that Baylor University is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the government's requirement as detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). This determination is based on Baylor University's unique combination of accreditation and incumbent experience, which are essential to ensure the seamless continuation and success of this highly specialized program. Customer endorsements and current market conditions further affirm that no other source can satisfy the agency's needs without a significant duplication of cost and unacceptable delays.

Public Notification and Response

This announcement constitutes the only synopsis for this requirement and is issued for notification purposes only. No known potential alternative sources are believed to exist that can satisfy the requirement.

Any interested party that believes it possesses the capability to meet the requirements described herein may identify themselves and must provide clear and convincing evidence of their ability to fulfill this requirement.

Submission Deadline:  
Responses must be submitted in writing no later than 1200 CST on Friday, 09 January 2026. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Submission Contacts:

* Contract Specialist: Linda McGhee, Linda.a.mcghee.civ@health.mil
* Contracting Officer: Arturo Castro, Arturo.castro8.civ@health.mil

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct competitive procurement for similar requirements in the future.

System (NAICS) code for this effort 611310 and the business size standard dollar value is $30M.

MEDCoE Master of Science Nutrition

Synopsis of Proposed Contract Action

Action:  
The Health Readiness Contracting Organization (HRCO) announces its intent to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order to Baylor University.

Authority:  
This action is pursued under the authority of 41 U.S.C. §1901(e)(2), as implemented by Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.501(a)(1)(ii). This authority allows for contracting using simplified procedures for certain commercial services when the services are available from only one responsible source, and no other type of service will satisfy the agency's needs.

North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code:  
611310 – Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools.

Description of Services

The U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence (MEDCoE) Graduate School's mission is to educate and train the next generation of clinical and administrative healthcare professionals in the federal sector. These uniformed service members are prepared to serve as clinician-scientists and leaders within the global military health system, often as generalist practitioners in diverse and deployed environments.

This contract will facilitate the Master of Science in Nutrition  by establishing a partnership with an accredited university. The selected partner will be responsible for:

* Conferring applicable degrees to students who meet established curricular requirements.
* Managing the enrollment of qualified students.
* Providing administrative support for the creation, storage, and provision of student transcripts.
* Certifying MEDCoE Graduate School faculty as affiliated university faculty members.

Justification for Sole-Source Award

Market research, incorporating both mandatory and non-mandatory sources, indicates that Baylor University is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the government's requirement as detailed in the Performance Work Statement (PWS). This determination is based on Baylor University's unique combination of accreditation and incumbent experience, which are essential to ensure the seamless continuation and success of this highly specialized program. Customer endorsements and current market conditions further affirm that no other source can satisfy the agency's needs without a significant duplication of cost and unacceptable delays.

Public Notification and Response

This announcement constitutes the only synopsis for this requirement and is issued for notification purposes only. No known potential alternative sources are believed to exist that can satisfy the requirement.

Any interested party that believes it possesses the capability to meet the requirements described herein may identify themselves and must provide clear and convincing evidence of their ability to fulfill this requirement.

Submission Deadline:  
Responses must be submitted in writing no later than 1200 CST on Friday, 09 January 2026. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted.

Submission Contacts:

* Contract Specialist: Linda McGhee, Linda.a.mcghee.civ@health.mil
* Contracting Officer: Arturo Castro, Arturo.castro8.civ@health.mil

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct competitive procurement for similar requirements in the future.

System (NAICS) code for this effort 611310 and the business size standard dollar value is $30M.

MEDCoE Master of Science Nutrition

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