WIC E Solution RFP Q A 12.24.2024.docx

Illinois Dept. of Human Services Request for Proposal WIC Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program E Solution Bid #: 25-444-DHS-MIS44-B-42188 Question and Answers

1. Can the State provide the number of FMNP participants in the 2024 WIC FMNP season? Answer: Section A Clarification - 14,204 WIC FMNP Participants

2. How does the State plan to determine whether a Recipient will receive a printed/non-mobile QR code option? Will cards/physical QR codes be issued to all recipients or at a per request basis? Answer: Section A Clarification - The plan is to be consistent for both SFMNP and FMNP program recipients having the same format/option.

3. Would the State entertain alternative proposals, allowing us to provide an Alternative Proposal with Cost Optimization? Answer: E.7. Award – No, Alternative Proposals with Cost Optimization will not be accepted.

4. Given the impact of the upcoming holidays, would the State extend the RFP deadline by several weeks in order to allow vendors to prepare the most responsive proposals? Answer: Section C.2. – Due Date and Time. No, DHS will not be extending the deadline.

5. Please clarify how we should submit exceptions to Terms and Conditions. The RFP asks for a redline version, but there is also a field in BidBuy that needs to be completed. Answer: Section C.1. – Terms and Conditions tab “Yes with Exceptions” if you have exceptions.

6. Given the requirements in Appendix 2 are to be completed by the awarded vendor, are any of the items required as part of the vendor’s RFP response? Answer: Appendix 2 Clarification - No, this will be completed by the awarded vendor.

7. Are screenshots considered “substantiating evidence” for the functionality questions in F.2.4 and F.2.5? Answer: F.2.4 and F.2.5 Clarification - Yes, this would be acceptable

8. WIC Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program E Solution Final B 425188 A2. c Technical Solutions pg. 3 states: Includes a farmer identifier for the redeeming farmer when agreements are between the State Agency and the farmer.

Question: Our solution assumes all agreements are between the State Agency and the farmer. What is this specifically calling out? Answer: A2.c Clarification - The 4-digit ID associated with each S/FMNP contracted Farmer.

9. Appendix 2 DoIT Cloud Hosting Terms and Conditions Revised with Instructions #7 pg. 1 states: Vendor’s system must interface with the State of Illinois’ identity and access management solution if authentication is required for access to the system.

Question: Does our system need to interface with the State of Illinois’ identity and access management solution? Answer: Appendix 2 Clarification - Yes, the vendor’s system will need to integrate with the State of Illinois’ identity and access management (currently OKTA) because Senior and WIC FMNP providers and State staffs will collect participant data, make business decision, produce WIC FMNP benefits and other tasks that pertain to WIC FMNP program.

10. F.1.4 states that the e-solution must identify the category or foods being purchased. What level of detail or what category breakdowns is the state looking to capture as part of each transaction? Answer: F.14 Clarification - Fresh Fruit, Fresh Vegetables, Cut Herbs, Harvested Honey (SFMNP only)

11. F.2.4.a states that the e-solution must distinguish between different funding sources. Will any one participant only be issued funds from a single funding source? Answer: F.2.4 – Clarification - If federal grant opportunities become available outside of the regular SFMNP and FMNP Federal Program Food funds, DHS will need to be able to distinguish between the special grant funds (if applicable) and regular SFMNP or FMNP Federal Food funds. This would also be true for any State General Revenue funds that may be granted to provide additional support of SFMNP and FMNP programs.

12. F.2.5.a states that the e-solution must allow State Agency Administration users the ability to “add/approve/remove/modify” farmers and their information. A.2.c (9th bullet) states that Farmers must be able to enter required information. Is the state looking for an online farmer application OR will the state provide a list of authorized farmers (or state administrative users create the initial entry of authorized farmers) and then the farmers are able to update their required information during the onboarding process? Answer: Section F.2.5a and A.2.c Clarification -

a) DHS is looking for an e-solution with the ability for State administrative staff to provide a list (e.g. CSV file of contracted farmers) that will authorize them to accept benefits and the ability for State Agency staff to provide updates if needed or manually add/update farmers information.

b) Yes, farmers should be able to update their required information during the onboarding process if needed.

13. F.2.5.b states that the e-solution must provide Issuance user access to add approved participants. Is the state looking for the e-solution to provide a participant facing online application or will only authorized issuance users be entering participant information and determining eligibility for the program? Answer: Section F.2.5.b Clarification - The State is looking for an e-solution that provides only authorized issuance users access that will be entering participant information and determining eligibility for the program.