Description
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service is announcing the availability of funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The ARRA provides a total of $100 million to be used by WIC State agencies to establish, improve or administer management information systems (MIS) for WIC, to include changes necessary to meet new legislative or regulatory requirements. In this funding opportunity we will provide ARRA funding for other WIC/MIS projects that may include, in priority order, but are not necessarily limited to: MIS enhancements/software changes for implementation of the new food package requirements, to include monthly reporting changes; MIS modifications to incorporate EBT readiness functionality and UPC database usage; Planning costs to assess new MIS needs, conduct alternatives analysis, etc. New MIS development/transfers that are outside the SAM project FY 2009 technology equipment purchases as outlined in the State agencys approved hardware replacement plan (FY 2010 hardware replacement needs may also be funded, but at a lower priority); Upgrades to technology such as conversion of current system to a web-based system, improving bandwidth or other data transmission lines, etc.; MIS modifications and enhancements needed to comply with Program requirements and/or improve Program management and reporting capabilities (examples include Value Enhanced Nutrition Assessment (VENA), improved vendor compliance and review reporting systems, upgrades to funding and participation reporting and forecasting tools, etc.); Other MIS modifications that improve communication and access to services (examples include automated participant reminder systems, video teleconferencing, geographic information systems, interactive training equipment, voicemail systems, etc.); Projects that impact multiple State agencies that can take advantage of joint procurement strategies and economies of scale; and Other information technology (IT) investments that improve infrastructure, promote efficiencies at the clinic and State level, reporting enhancements, and projects that support WICs overall technology plan. FNS has a waiver from OMB and will not be using Grants.gov APPLY to notify or receive applications for this grant opportunity. FNS will contact each State Agency, in writing, concerning application procedures in the near future. For additional information on the ARRA WIC/MIS grant opportunities please go to the USDA Recovery Act web site at www.usda.gov/recovery.