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The Near-Earth Comet P/2016 BA$_{14}$ (PanSTARRS) is a slow-rotatatingnearly-dormant object, a likely dynamical twin of 252P/LINEAR, and was recentlyshown to have a mid-infrared spectrum very dissimilar to other comets.BA$_{14}$ also recently selected one of the back-up targets for the ESA's\textit{Comet Interceptor}, so a clearer understanding of BA$_{14}$'s modernproperties would not just improve our understanding of how comets go dormant,but could also aid planning for a potential spacecraft visit. We presentobservations of BA$_{14}$ taken on two dates during its 2016 Earth closeapproach with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, both of which areconsistent with direct observations of its nucleus. The reflectance spectrum ofBA$_{14}$ is similar to 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, albeit highlyphase-reddened. Thermal emission contaminates the reflectance spectrum atlonger wavelengths, which we correct with a new Markov Chain Monte Carlothermal modeling code. The models suggest $BA_{14}$'s visible geometric albedois $p_V=0.01-0.03$, consistent with radar observations, its beaming parameteris typical for NEOs observed in its geometry, and its reflectrance spectrum isred and linear throughout H and K band. It appears very much like a "normal"comet nucleus, despite its mid-infrared oddities. A slow loss of fine grains asthe object's activity diminished might help to reconcile some of the lines ofevidence, and we discuss other possibilities. A spacecraft flyby past BA$_{14}$could get closer to the nucleus than with a more active target, and wehighlight some science questions that could be addressed with a visit to a(nearly-)dormant comet.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Of The Nucleus Of Low-Activity Comet P/2016 BA$_{14}$ During Its 2016 Close Approach