RPMD_Edit_of_--_SOO_SF_30_AMENDMENT_0001_to_AG-3198-S-13-0075_dtd_8_30_2___.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AG-3198-S-13-0075 ATTACHMENT I

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVE (SOO)

FARMERS’MARKET PROGRAM SUPPORT SERVICES

PURPOSE:

The Government seeks a qualified Offeror to assist the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to identify eligible farmers’ markets1 and direct-marketing farmers2 to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); recruit such markets and farmers to become SNAP authorized, and provide them with technical assistance throughout the process of applying to become SNAP-authorized; acquire SNAP wireless point-of-sale electronic benefits transfer (EBT) equipment and wireless services on behalf of eligible markets and farmers, and provide technical assistance to ensure markets and farmers at markets are able to use those resources to redeem SNAP benefits; and develop and implement an accounting and tracking system for the use of these funds.

BACKGROUND:

USDA is committed to supporting local food systems and to expanding access for SNAP participants’ to healthy foods. Therefore, USDA has made it a priority to engage with and assist more farmers’ markets and direct marketing farmers to become SNAP-authorized.

In fiscal year (FY) 2012, FNS provided $4 million to SNAP State agencies to expand the availability of wireless point-of-sale (POS) equipment in farmers’ markets not currently participating in SNAP. Per budgetary language, the funds could 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. States were able to retain and use these funds through FY13, and will also be allowed to retain and use them through FY14. For the sake of clarity, however, FNS continues to refer to these monies as the “FY12 Funds.”

In FY 2013, FNS received an additional $4 million in funding to provide wireless POS equipment in farmers’ markets not currently participating in SNAP. Per statute, 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 wireless services for that equipment. For the sake of clarity, FNS refers to these monies as the “FY13 Equipment Funds.”

FNS believes FY13 Equipment Funds can be used effectively by contracting with entities such as, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations or others that already work with the farmers’ market community. Towards that end, FNS is making administrative funds available to entities that contract with FNS to administer all or a portion of the $4,000,000 in FY13 Equipment Funds. For the sake of clarity, FNS refers to these administrative funds as “FY13 Administrative Funds.”

SCOPE:

The Offeror shall provide program management support and consulting services to FNS throughout the United States in the following capacities: (1) Identify eligible farmers markets and direct-marketing farmers; (2) recruit them to participate in SNAP and provide them assistance to throughout the SNAP-authorization process; (3) acquire SNAP wireless technology, equipment, and services necessary to allow eligible markets and farmers redeem SNAP benefits and ensure that they are prepared to do so; (4) develop and implement an accounting system that maintains accounting records and produces financial reports in accordance with Federal contracting/ procurement laws and regulations.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES/REQUIRED RESULTS:

Objectives:

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

2. Recruit the eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers that are identified to become SNAP-authorized; and provide them the technical assistance throughout the authorization process.

3. Ensure that farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers receive SNAP wireless POS

EBT equipment and wireless access and provide technical assistance to ensure markets and farmers at markets are able to use those resources to redeem SNAP benefits.

4. Coordinate with States to ensure that there is no duplication of effort.

5. Develop and implement an effective accounting and tracking system and provide quarterly and annual reports, and reports to FNS upon request.

Results:

1. Offeror must identify eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers.

2. Offeror must successfully recruit eligible markets and direct-marketing farmers to become SNAP-authorized, and must assist eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers with completing and submitting applications to become SNAP authorized. This includes providing assistance with the SNAP application process, helping applicants identify and submit all pertinent information and documents, and assisting in trouble-shooting throughout the process.

3. The Offeror must acquire wireless equipment and wireless services on behalf of eligible farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers, must ensure that eligible markets and farmers receive such equipment and services and are prepared to use those resources to redeem SNAP benefits.

4. The Offeror must have a plan that reflects existing relationships or plans to establish effective working relationships with SNAP State agencies; these relationships are critical to ensuring that State efforts that may be underway are fully coordinated with the Bidders efforts.

The Offeror must also demonstrate a capacity to effectively work with entities such as farmers’ market associations, wireless equipment providers, and other stakeholders. In this context, “effectively work with” refers to engagement that can reasonably be expected (upon FNS evaluation) to result in the furthering of the project objectives.

5. The Offeror shall develop an accounting system that adheres to applicable Federal accounting and financial management laws and regulations and effectively tracks and generates reports on the disposition of the funds expended through this project.

OPERATING CONSTRAINTS:

1. Offeror must be able to work effectively with State agencies, local agencies, farmers’ markets, farmers’ market associations, farmers, and other stakeholders.

2. Offeror must have the ability and capacity to assist farmer’s market and direct marketing farmer applicants through the SNAP authorization process and provide technical assistance as needed.

3. Offeror must have the ability to acquire wireless point-of-sale equipment, technology, and services necessary for eligible markets and vendors to process SNAP transactions in a farmers’ market environment. Bidder must also have the ability to provide technical assistance so that newly SNAP authorized farmers’ markets and direct-marketing farmers are prepared to use those resources to redeem SNAP benefits.

4. Offeror may have the capacity to perform these functions nationwide or in designated parts of the United States.

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: TBD

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: TBD

1 “Farmers’ markets” are defined as multi-stall markets at which farmer-producers sell food products (fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, grains, etc.) directly to the general public, at a central or fixed location. To be “eligible,” farmers’ markets must not have been SNAP-authorized on or before November 18, 2011; and must be listed on the Farmers’ Market Directory maintained by our sister agency, the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), at http://search.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets/.

2 “Direct-marketing farmers” are defined as farmer-producers of food products sold directly to the public. To be “eligible,” direct-marketing farmers must not have been SNAP-authorized on or before November 18, 2011; and must provide written assurance that they regularly participate (or will participate) in at least one farmers’ market (A) that is not currently SNAP-authorized and (B) at which no other regularly participating vendor is SNAP-authorized.

Note that markets and direct-marketing farmers that leave the program and apply to become reauthorized as a pretext to receive equipment are not eligible.