Request for Information: Center for WIC Modernization and Delivery, 61752-61753 [2021-24293]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Food and Nutrition Service

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 213 (Monday, November 8, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61752-61753]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24293]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Food and Nutrition Service


Request for Information: Center for WIC Modernization and 
Delivery

AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.

ACTION: Notice: Request for information.

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SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is issuing this Request 
for Information (RFI) to gain insights from interested parties about 
establishing a resource center that supports State and local Special 
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) 
agencies in improving the WIC application and certification journey.
    This is a request for information that may inform a future 
cooperative agreement. It is not a solicitation for proposals or 
proposal abstracts. The purpose of this notice is to:
    1. Determine the level of interest that exists for the proposed 
service;
    2. Obtain information about the approach to providing the service, 
including needs, capabilities, and requirements; and
    3. Gather information on the potential constraints and risks 
associated with this approach.
    Information gathered through this RFI may be used to inform 
potential strategies for supporting and improving State and local WIC 
operations. FNS welcomes comments from all stakeholders.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 8, 2021.

ADDRESSES: FNS is seeking information from a broad array of 
stakeholders--such as nonprofits, WIC State agencies, WIC local 
agencies, and others--about the Center for WIC Modernization and 
Delivery, the capabilities necessary to complete this work, relevant 
examples or case studies, and the capacity needed to support State and 
local WIC agencies. Responses to this RFI may be submitted by a single 
party or by a team.
    USDA invites submission of the requested information through one of 
the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Email: FNS will accept electronic submissions emailed to 
[EMAIL]. The email should contain the subject line, ``Response to RFI: 
Center for WIC Modernization and Delivery.''
    All comments submitted in response to this RFI will be included in 
the record and will be made available to the public. Please be advised 
that the substance of the comments and the identity of the individuals 
or entities submitting the comments will be subject to public 
disclosure. USDA will make the comments publicly available via https://www.regulations.gov.
    Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents should respond to 
this RFI in a Microsoft Word document attached to email. This document 
should contain the following:
     Three clearly delineated sections: (1) Cover page with 
company name and contact information; (2) approach, no more than 10 
single-spaced pages in length; and (3) business information.
     1-inch margins (top, bottom, and sides).
     Times New Roman and 12 point font.
    Privacy Note: All comments received from members of the public will 
be available for public viewing on regulations.gov.
    In accordance with FAR 15.202(3), responses to this notice are not 
offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding 
contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated 
with responding to this RFI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Widor, Director, Supplemental 
Food Programs Division at (703) 305-2746.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA; Pub. L. 117-2) provided 
$390 million in funding for WIC to carry out outreach, innovation, and 
program modernization efforts to increase WIC participation and 
redemption of benefits. See ARPA section 1106. Despite clear evidence 
that WIC drives better health outcomes, only about 57% of WIC-eligible 
mothers and children participated in the program in 2018. The funding 
provided through ARPA is a critical opportunity for WIC to undertake a 
range of high-impact projects to increase WIC's participation rate 
through an improved enrollment and participant experience, and to 
reduce disparities in program delivery.
    Given this unprecedented opportunity to invest in programmatic 
innovations, FNS solicited input from a diverse range of stakeholders. 
FNS convened 27 listening sessions representing different stakeholder 
perspectives, interests, and geographies on ways to increase program 
participation and retention, improve the participant experience, 
streamline benefit delivery, and reduce disparities in program 
delivery. FNS also partnered with the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) to 
conduct research on how to improve the WIC certification process. This 
RFI is seeking information to build on that research.
    FNS would like to partner with one or more organizations to create 
a Center for WIC Modernization and Delivery that will leverage human-
centered design (HCD), modern technology practices, and data to improve 
the certification journey for WIC participants. This Center will be a 
resource for the 89 WIC State agencies (States, DC, territories, and 
Indian Tribal Organizations), and potentially WIC local agencies, to 
access cross-functional delivery capabilities to support digital 
transformation and service design initiatives. These capabilities might 
include data science, design, engineering, procurement, product 
management, and research expertise that states can leverage to develop 
and implement solutions aimed at improving WIC certification processes. 
The Center will work closely with FNS and USDS to define its approach 
and ensure solutions are practical, integrated into clinic practices, 
and drive towards a better participant journey through the WIC program 
and improved outcomes. FNS expects the Center to support WIC State 
agencies in improving enrollment and service delivery through a variety 
of ways, such as:
     Supporting State and local agencies in developing project 
ideas and proposals aimed at improving the participant journey and 
program outcomes;
     Helping State and local agencies use HCD, technology, and 
data more effectively in their clinic operations to increase enrollment 
and reduce disparities in program delivery;
     Assisting State and local agencies in addressing technical 
and/or service gaps; and

[[Page 61753]]

     Working with State and local agencies to implement 
holistic technology solutions and process changes. This might include 
helping them prototype, test, and iterate on potential solutions; and 
evaluating existing products or developing new ones for adoption by 
agencies. The Center might assist State and local agencies in procuring 
or implementing these solutions and measuring their impact on 
enrollment and retention.
    Examples of solutions aimed at improving the applicant and 
participant experience may include:
     Participant-facing technology tools such as online 
schedulers, document uploaders, and participant portals;
     Data matching, interoperability, and/or cross-enrollment 
projects to reduce the documentation burden on participants;
     Technology platforms, which allow applicants to choose 
video, phone, text, or other voice applications to connect with WIC 
clinics;
     Content updates, such as content strategy or plain 
language updates to websites, forms, or notices;
     Data analytics tools; and
     Process improvements.
    In addition to providing direct support to State and local 
agencies, FNS expects the Center to identify, evaluate, develop, and 
disseminate effective solutions and technical standards across States, 
and help WIC State agencies leverage their data to improve the WIC 
customer experience. It will also facilitate collaboration between WIC 
State agencies to address common operational issues.
    FNS anticipates that the Center will support multiple WIC State 
agencies at once. The Center should have quick access to talent 
covering a spectrum of potential needs, and must be agile and capable 
of meeting shifting goals and objectives as they learn more about the 
problem space.

II. Responses

    FNS is seeking information from stakeholders on the following 
questions. Responses should be limited to 10 single-spaced pages that 
follow the formatting guidelines above. Respondents should not include 
proprietary information or concepts in their responses.
    FNS requests the following information:
    (1) What capabilities should the Center have to effectively support 
State and local WIC agencies in implementing new technology solutions 
and process changes?
    (2) How should the Center evaluate WIC State agency needs and 
prioritize projects?
    (3) How should the Center work with State and local WIC agencies to 
help them modernize their WIC programs and improve the participant 
journey through WIC?
    (4) How should the Center share and promote the reuse of best 
practices, solutions, code, reference implementations, and other 
resources among WIC State agencies to help them address common 
operational issues that impact the customer experience?
    (5) How would you define and measure success for the Center?
    (6) What risks do you foresee in establishing a Center to support 
WIC State agencies? How would you mitigate those risks?
    (7) Do you have any other feedback or suggestions on this Center-
based approach? Please describe in detail.

Cynthia Long,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-24293 Filed 11-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P