6-Attachment C - Mandatory Minimums Technical Requirements.docx

MK26-31

WIC Compliance Buys and Private Investigations -Attachment C Mandatory Minimum Requirements & Technical Scoring Criteria

INSTRUCTIONS:

Vendor must answer yes or no to each minimum mandatory requirement. The vendor and services proposed must meet (answer yes) all minimum mandatory requirements to advance to the Technical Criteria Evaluation.

The vendor must submit a response to the technical criteria which will be scored on a 0-5 scale by an evaluation committee and the offeror must meet the minimum technical score threshold outlined in the RFSQ to be considered for an award.

Mandatory Minimum Requirements (Pass/Fail, must pass all) 1-Vendor must have experience as a secret shopper or covert investigator.

2-Vendor must upload at least two completed performance/professional references as part of the proposal using the attached reference form (Attachment E) 3- Vendor must upload a technical response (see Attachment C), including their experience in private investigative work and experience as a secret shopper.

Technical Criteria – Please submit a response to the technical criteria listed below.

1. Investigator Qualifications and Vetting Process Please describe your vetting and hiring processes to ensure that all personnel assigned to this contract meet the following minimum qualifications:

· Investigators are at least 18 years old.

· Investigators do not have any criminal misdemeanors or felony convictions.

· Investigators have no conflicting interests, including current employment with DHHS or local WIC agencies, or ownership/employment at WIC-authorized stores.

2. Covert Procedures and Evidence Collection Methodology Provide a detailed methodology for conducting covert operations and collecting evidence. Your response must demonstrate how you will ensure investigators:

· Dress like local shoppers to blend in at each store.

· Drive inconspicuous, unmarked vehicles that reflect WIC participant demographics.

· Understand and avoid entrapment by not influencing or coercing store personnel into committing illegal acts.

· Properly document investigations by photographing the purchased items and the storefront at the completion of each purchase, as well as saving all transaction receipts.

3. Safe Food Handling and Donation Protocols Outline your specific protocols for managing food items post-purchase, including:

· Your procedures for preserving perishable foods using safe handling practices, specifically the use of a cooler with ice in the investigator’s vehicle.

· Your process for ensuring all items purchased during the Compliance Purchase are donated to a local food bank or pantry within 24 hours of purchase.

· How you will ensure the donation receipt is obtained and included in the final Compliance Investigation Report.

4. Reporting Accuracy and Timeliness Detail your process for report generation, quality assurance, and submission. Your response should explain:

· How you will ensure the original copy of the Compliance Investigation Report is provided to DHHS within five working days.

· Your methods for ensuring all necessary details are consistently and accurately captured, including cashier descriptions, shelf prices, observed conversations regarding unauthorized sales, and the required investigator signatures.

5. Schedule Adherence and Fair Hearing Capacity Demonstrate your organizational capacity to manage the required workload and support post-investigation requirements:

· Provide a project management plan showing how you will complete Compliance Investigations for 15-25 assigned stores, conducting two or three Compliance Purchases per store, with all investigations completed by August 31st each year.

· Explain your procedures for ensuring investigators are fully prepared and guaranteed to appear and testify at scheduled Fair Hearings when requested by DHHS.