MDHHS WIC Infant Formula Rebate Program Bid Contract

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Bureau of Grants and Purchasing, issued RFP 26-1094 for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Infant Formula Rebate Program on February 17, 2026, with a submission deadline of April 8, 2026. This procurement seeks a qualified contractor to manage and supply three categories of milk-based infant formula products: powdered, liquid concentrate, and ready-to-feed formulas. The contractor's responsibilities include calculating rebates, ensuring quality assurance, managing program data, and providing transitional services as detailed in the Statement of Work. All prospective bidders must comply with Schedule C responses, submit wholesale price lists, maintain federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act registration, provide product specifications that meet program standards, and accept the state's standard contract terms. The solicitation utilizes a two-step evaluation process: Step 1 addresses mandatory requirements and compliance, while Step 2 evaluates pricing based on total monthly net price submissions. The contract term is five years with no renewal options, and the posting date was April 17, 2026, with a response due date of April 24, 2026.

The procurement received two responsive bids from Abbott Laboratories, Inc. and Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, both of which satisfied all mandatory Step 1 requirements. The contract is structured as a no-cost agreement to the state, with the selected contractor obligated to pay rebates to Michigan; Mead Johnson & Company, LLC was recommended for award based on submitting the lowest total monthly net price at $38,223.023 compared to Abbott Laboratories' $232,243.763. The evaluation was conducted by a Joint Evaluation Committee comprising five voting members from MDHHS divisions, who determined the award based on the statutory requirement to select the lowest-priced qualified bidder meeting all established criteria. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions on bidder eligibility were noted in the available documentation. The contract represents a significant opportunity for infant formula suppliers serving Michigan's WIC program beneficiaries, with financial terms structured around rebate mechanisms rather than traditional procurement payments.