U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service, Contract Management Branch, Room 914, Alexandria, VA 22302

B -- EVALUATION OF THE FOOD RETAILER PRE-AUTHORIZATION VISIT DEMONSTRATION AND RELATED INITIATIVES SOL FCS96-016LMP POC Lisa Parrett, Contract Specialist, (703)-305-2223; Elaine S. Lynn, Contracting Officer, (703)-305-2250 Sources are sought to conduct an ''Evaluation of the Food Retailer Pre-Authorization Visit Demonstration and Related Initiatives.'' The absence of in-person visits to food retailers prior to authorization is widely perceived as exposing the Food Stamp Program to potential fraud. The President's fiscal year (FY) 1997 Budget includes several million dollars to support pre- authorization visits by contractors to food retailers. During the balance of FY 1996 FCS needs to determine the best way to utilize these resources and is initiating a demonstration, through its Regional Offices, of contracting for vendors around the country who can visit an applicant store in-person on an ''as needed'' basis and take photographs of staple food stock and fill out a checklist of items regarding the store. FCS refers to this activity as the retailer pre-authorization visit demonstration. It will take place in about 20 Field Offices around the country between April and September 1996. FCS now seeks the assistance of a contractor to evaluate this demonstration. The contractor shall evaluate the retailer pre-authorization visit demonstration and address three core objectives: 1) determine which procedures and management processes yield an optimum mix of accuracy, timeliness, and cost; 2) identify any changes that would improve FCS field staffs' utilization of contractor-supplied data; and 3) provide technical assistance to FCS. A preliminary report on these three core objectives must be completed by October 1, 1996. A fourth objective is to assess the value of in-person visits to answer anticipated future questions regarding continuation of funds for pre-authorization visits in future FCS budgets. FCS has allocated a total of 3 person years to this effort. Offers will be due on or about April 4, 1996. All qualified organizations interested in receiving a copy of the Request for Proposal when it is issued MUST submit their request in writing and MUST include four (4) self-addressed mailing labels. Telephonic or faxed requests will not be honored. (0065)

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