Each year, the Federal Government provides over $300 billion–one-sixth of the Federal budget–in grants to non-Federal entities (States, local and tribal governments, colleges and universities, and other nonprofit organizations). Audits are a primary tool used by the Federal government to ensure that these funds are expended properly.
This final rule strengthens vendor management in retail food delivery systems by establishing mandatory selection criteria, training requirements, criteria to be used to identify high-risk vendors, and monitoring requirements, including compliance investigations. In addition, the rule strengthens food instrument accountability and sanctions for participants who violate program requirements.
This proposed rule would strengthen the requirements for operation of vendor management systems by establishing mandatory selection criteria; limitation of vendors; training requirements; criteria to be used to identify high- risk vendors; and monitoring requirements, including compliance buys. In addition, the rule would strengthen food instrument accountability and sanctions for participants who violate program regulations. It would also streamline the vendor appeals process.
This proposed rule would amend regulations governing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children to implement a mandate of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, which requires the disqualification of WIC vendors who are disqualified from the Food Stamp Program.
The purpose of this policy memorandum is to provide clarification regarding the effective date of Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children vendor disqualification's that result from the permanent disqualification of a vendor from the Food Stamp Program.
We have concluded that neither the authorization of vendors to accept WIC food instruments, nor the exchange of a WIC food instrument between a certified WIC participant and an approved WIC vendor represents a "covered transaction." Therefore, WIC vendors are not subject to the certification requirement.
The purpose of this memorandum is to clarify that the WIC vendor agreement/contract does not constitute a license or property interest .
WIC Program—Food Delivery System: Military Commissaries as WIC program vendors