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A new multibillion-dollar contract vehicle is helping the Defense Health Agency ensure its military hospitals and clinics are staffed to support warfighters' health and medical readiness, while also caring for families and retirees at facilities worldwide.
The Medical Q-Coded Support and Services - Next Generation contract, or MQS2-NG, expands a system that has supplied military hospitals and clinics with health care providers for nearly 20 years.
“We've always been a leader in the field. Our contracts are probably the most innovative,” said Rich Morvatz, a deputy program manager in DHA’s acquisition and sustainment office, adding that MQS2-NG is the latest iteration of the DHA’s unique staffing process.
The 10-year contract provides military hospitals and clinics with a structured approach to hiring contracted physicians, nurses, dental staff, ancillary workers, and administrative personnel. MQS2-NG encompasses over 300 labor categories, spanning from direct patient care to support services across the federal health care system.
DHA leaders expect MQS2-NG to set the standard for federal medical staffing. By consolidating contracts, broadening access, and closely managing performance, the contract delivers sustainable solutions across the DHA and the Military Health System.
“They are used by all of our hospitals and clinics significantly more than any other health care support contracts out there,” said Morvatz.
At the heart of the contract is the goal of helping patients access high-quality health care quickly and efficiently.
“It allows the service member to focus on what they need to be mission-ready,” said Morvatz.
Efficient staffing for high-quality care
Military hospitals and clinics can hire individual staff or entire services, such as an emergency department or clerical team. The contract also reduces the number of contracts hospitals manage. It enables vendors to shift staff across hospitals and clinics to meet urgent needs, giving hiring personnel the flexibility to address shortfalls quickly.
“This contract provides a much more efficient and streamlined way for hospitals to get contracted medical services,” said Dan Rosera, MQS2-NG assistant program manager.
Dan Schaal, MQS2-NG assistant program manager, noted that “unlike single-award contracts, MQS2-NG uses two vendor pools. Eleven vendors were awarded in May 2024, and 20 small businesses followed in May 2025. Military hospitals and clinics assign tasks among these pre-vetted companies, making the process more effective and affordable.”
“This is a pretty unique contract,” Morvatz said. “Never before have we consolidated medical Q-coded services and medical support services requirements into one vehicle.” Another significant change, he said, is the introduction of unrestricted pools — any qualified, eligible vendor — and restricted — small or specific-needed businesses.
Benefits for hospitals and clinics, families, and readiness
MQS2-NG reduces administrative workload, provides faster access to contracted professionals by consolidating requirements, and creates a centralized pool of vendors.
“It provides a much more efficient and streamlined way for military [medical] treatment facilities to get contracted medical services,” Morvatz said. “That means fewer delays and fewer administrative hurdles.”
More than 350 contracting officer representatives have already been trained on how to issue task orders, ensuring military hospital and clinic leaders can use the system efficiently.
For patients, service members, and their families, benefits include improved access to care. Since hospitals and clinics rely on contractors for a significant percentage of their staffing, MQS2-NG helps ensure patients can see providers when needed.
“Beneficiaries are able to have more access to care in military hospitals and clinics,” Morvatz explained. “Contract staff supplement military and civilian providers, which helps reduce gaps and ensures continuity.”
Readiness remains at the center of MQS2-NG, providing service members with timely access to medical appointments. The contract helps them stay current on medical requirements and deployable, according to Rosera.
Oversight and accountability
The DHA’s Office of the Assistant Director for Support serves as the Component Acquisition Executive, overseeing all acquisition activities for the agency. The deputy assistant director for acquisition and sustainment directs the Program Management Office for Enterprise Medical Services, which manages daily execution of MQS2-NG with performance tracking built into every stage.
“We will know every single task order that was awarded, the labor categories, the cost, and whether positions were filled,” said Rosera. “That level of management makes this contract particularly valuable.” He explained the oversight in this contracting vehicle enables them to better track fraud, waste, abuse, and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of qualified work.
Contracting officer representatives provide monthly feedback, ensuring problems are identified early. Senior leaders emphasize task orders will be monitored closely.
“We manage this contract throughout its life,” Rosera said.
Broader federal reach and impact
The MQS2-NG contract is available to all federal agencies with health care needs or requirements, within and outside the Department of Defense. The Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Indian Health Service, and Department of Health and Human Services have already expressed interest.
Morvatz noted Kathleen Berst, acting assistant director for support and the DHA component acquisition executive, “provided us the guidance to really look broader than just the DOD for this effort, to have a larger impact across the federal system.”
MQS2-NG is open to “health care support and services across the federal sector,” he said. “We want to make sure other agencies know they are included in the scope and welcome to award task orders.”
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2025 12:30 |
| Story ID: | 551544 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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