Draft_Statement_of_Objectives.pdf

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE (SOO)

FARMERS’MARKET PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES

PURPOSE:

The Government seeks a qualified contractor to assist Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and State agenies to network with affected entities to purchase and distribute SNAP wireless POS equipment and provide SNAP wireless services to eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers.

BACKGROUND:

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) farmers’ market program is to help communities support local food systems through direct marketing. Direct marketing includes farmers markets, roadside stands, community-supported agriculture, agri-tourism and other direct producer-to-consumer marketing opportunities. USDA FNS will provide funding to assist projects to increase access to local foods by low-income consumers, expand opportunities for farmers and growers to market their products directly to the consumer, and raise customer awareness of local farm products through promotion and outreach.

In fiscal year (FY) 2012, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) received funding to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale (POS) equipment in farmers’ markets not currently participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Each SNAP State agency received a share of the funds proportional to the percentage of the Nation’s farmers’ markets not currently authorized to participate in SNAP within that State. Per budgetary language, the funds shall only be used to purchase or lease POS equipment for eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers participating at a market where SNAP is not otherwise available, and to pay for SNAP wireless access for that equipment.

SCOPE:

The contractor shall provide program management support and consulting services to FNS’ farmers’ market program throughout the United States in the following areas: 1) Identifying eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers. 2) Provide eligible farmers markets and direct marketing farmers POS equipment. 3) Provide the eligble farmers market and direct marketing farmers wireless access to the SNAP. 4) Assist States in providing farmers markets and direct marketing farmers POS equipment and wireless access to the SNAP.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES, I.E., REQUIRED RESULTS:

Objectives:

1. Identify eligible farmers’ markets and/or direct-marketing farmers.

2. To have all eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers indentified SNAP authorized.

3. Issue all eligible farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers indentified wireless POS equipment and the SNAP wireless access.

4. Provide assistance to States to identify eligible farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers.

5. Provide assistance to States to issue farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers POS equipment and wireless access to the SNAP.

6. Track expenditures/cost and quantities of POS equipment purchased.

7. Track expenditures/cost of SNAP wireless access.

Results:

1. Contractor must design and implement methods to identify eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers. In addition, contractor must also demonstrate a capacity to network with entities such as farmers’ market associations, wireless equipment providers, and State agencies and local agencies.

2. Contractor must assist the farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers with completimg and submiting applications to become SNAP-authorized. This includes providing program management assistance with the SNAP application process, identifying and submitting pertinent information and documents, and assisting in trouble-shooting throughout the process.

3. The contractor must acquire SNAP wireless POS EBT equipment and SNAP wireless services. Furthermore, the contractor shall have the capacity to distribute goods and services to eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers.

OPERATING CONSTRAINTS:

1. Contractor must be able to network with State agencies, Local agencies, Farmers’ Market Associations, Farmers and Local Communities.

2. Contractor must have the ability to purchase POS equipment and the associated services.

3. Contractor may have the capacity to perform these functions nationwide or designed parts of the United States.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: TBD

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: TBD