Purchase Order N0018926PL009

The U.S. Naval Academy's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) has been awarded a six-month contract to Magellan Federal, Inc. (operating as AFSC), a subsidiary of Centene Corporation, for administrative and advisory support services. The firm fixed-price purchase order, valued at $125,917.70, runs from February 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026, and represents a continuation of services provided by the incumbent contractor over the past ten years. The contract was awarded without set-aside designation by the Bureau of Naval Personnel on January 30, 2026, following a sole-source justification under FAR 13.501(a)(1)(ii) due to unforeseen delays from the 2025 Government Shutdown that prevented timely execution of the original contract renewal.

Under this engagement, Magellan Federal will provide one full-time equivalent staff member to manage and oversee DoD/Navy HRPP operations at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. The contractor's responsibilities include monitoring compliance with human subject research policies, managing Institutional Review Board (IRB) registration and documentation, coordinating IRB meetings, and ensuring adherence to federal, state, DoD, and Navy research ethics regulations. The contractor must maintain current professional certifications, including Certified IRB Professional (CIP) credentials, and attend annual HRPP conferences at company expense, with monthly status reporting required throughout the performance period.