Request for Information: Center for WIC Modernization and Delivery, 64445-64446 [2021-25145]
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64445
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 86, No. 220
Thursday, November 18, 2021
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service
Request for Information: Center for
WIC Modernization and Delivery
Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS), USDA.
ACTION: Notice, correction.
AGENCY:
The Food and Nutrition
Service published a document in the
Federal Register of November 8, 2021,
concerning a Request for Information
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.
The document is missing a contact
email. To avoid any confusion, we are
re-publishing the notice in its entirety
with the missing email information:
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
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SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:11 Nov 17, 2021
Jkt 256001
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
SM.FNCS.WIC.Innovation@usda.gov.
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.
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Frm 00001
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Sarah Widor, Director, Supplemental
Food Programs Division at (703) 305–
2746, sarah.widor@usda.gov.
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
E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM
18NON1
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
64446
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 220 / Thursday, November 18, 2021 / Notices
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
• 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
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17:11 Nov 17, 2021
Jkt 256001
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. 2021–25145 Filed 11–17–21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Del Norte County Resource Advisory
Committee
Forest Service, Agriculture
(USDA).
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
AGENCY:
The Del Norte County
Resource Advisory Committee (RAC)
will hold two virtual meetings. The
committee is authorized under the
Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self-Determination Act (the Act) and
operates in compliance with the Federal
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Advisory Committee Act. The purpose
of the committee is to improve
collaborative relationships and to
provide advice and recommendations to
the Forest Service concerning projects
and funding consistent with Title II of
the Act as well as make
recommendations on recreation fee
proposals for sites on the Six Rivers
National Forest within Del Norte
County, consistent with the Federal
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act.
RAC information can be found at the
following website: https://
www.fs.usda.gov/main/srnf/working
together/advisorycommittees.
DATES: The meetings will be held on:
• December 7, 2021, 4:00 p.m.–8:00
p.m., Pacific Standard Time; and
• December 8, 2021, 4:00 p.m.–8:00
p.m., Pacific Standard Time.
All RAC meetings are subject to
cancellation. For status of the meetings
prior to attendance, please contact the
person listed under FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT.
ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held
with virtual attendance only (with callin option). For virtual meeting
information, please contact the person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT.
Written comments may be submitted
as described under Supplementary
Information. All comments, including
names and addresses when provided,
are placed in the record and are
available for public inspection and
copying. The public may inspect
comments received at the Gasquet
Ranger District, 10600 Highway 199,
Gasquet, CA 95543. Please call ahead to
facilitate entry into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kathy Allen, Designated Federal Officer
(DFO), by phone at 707–457–3860 or via
email at kathy.allen@usda.gov.
Individuals who use
telecommunication devices for the deaf/
hard-of-hearing (TDD) may call the
Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–
877–8339, 24 hours per day, ever day of
the year, including holidays.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the meetings are to:
1. Provide updates regarding the
status of the Secure Rural Schools
Program and Title II funding; and
2. Review and recommend existing
potential projects eligible for funding.
The meetings are open to the public.
The agendas will include time for
people to make oral statements of three
minutes or less. Individuals wishing to
make an oral statement should request
in writing seven days before the meeting
to be scheduled on the agenda for that
particular meeting. Anyone who would
E:\FR\FM\18NON1.SGM
18NON1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 220 (Thursday, November 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64445-64446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25145]
========================================================================
Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 220 / Thursday, November 18, 2021 /
Notices
[[Page 64445]]
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, correction.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition Service published a document in the
Federal Register of November 8, 2021, concerning a Request for
Information 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. The document is missing a contact email. To
avoid any confusion, we are re-publishing the notice in its entirety
with the missing email information:
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 protected]. 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, [email protected].
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
[[Page 64446]]
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
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. 2021-25145 Filed 11-17-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
