IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program

Background
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is implementing the Produce Prescription Pilot Program (P4) to address food insecurity and improve dietary health among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. The program aims to increase access to nutritious foods for individuals and families facing food insecurity, which disproportionately affects AI/AN populations.

The IHS has initiated this pilot program in 2023 with a goal to demonstrate and evaluate the impact of produce prescription programs on health outcomes.

Work Details
The contractor, Center for Nutrition and Health Impact (CHN) Nebraska, will provide specialized support for the P4 program, which includes:
1. Designing and implementing an evaluation framework for existing and new produce prescription sites.
2. Ensuring consistency in data collection methods, tools, and definitions over time.
3. Conducting process and outcome evaluations, including data management, analysis, and reporting.
4. Providing technical assistance and capacity building for P4 grantees.
5. Facilitating program meetings and coordinating nutrition security training.
6. Disseminating evaluation findings to stakeholders while adhering to Tribal Institutional Review Board processes.

Period of Performance
The contract will be performed over a base period of 12 months starting from September 25, 2026.

Place of Performance
Rockville MD UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
The contractor must possess unique knowledge of the existing evaluation frameworks developed under the USDA Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP). They must have experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating produce prescription programs specifically within Tribal-serving healthcare organizations and federally qualified health centers.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
The solicitation appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on the closely related prior contract 75H70426P00026 awarded to CHN Nebraska for an “IHS Produce Prescription Pilot Program Support Contract” valued at $975,933 (09/30/26–09/29/27). The prior work description aligns with ongoing support for the Produce Prescription Pilot Program, including evaluation framework design, consistent data collection, process/outcome evaluation, and technical assistance/capacity building for program sites and grantees, which suggests this effort may be a continuation or follow-on of the same program support activities.