PA - eMarketplace



Addendum to RFA# 67-107Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and ChildrenDate: September 24, 2020Addendum Number: 6Question 1: Why can't the Commonwealth consider a For Profit entity?Answer:Per Part One A. Applicant Requirements, the Federal WIC Consolidated Regulations 7 CFR §246.5(3)(d) establishes standards for the selection of a new local agency based on the Applicant’s relative availability of health services.Question 2: We seem to get a number of these RFA's that apparently are handled by non-profits. Is that a requirement for these grants?Answer:Yes.Question 3: Submitting a bid can be time consuming. How can we determine which RFA's are targeted for non-profits or Public entities?Answer:This question is outside the scope of this RFA.Question 4: Attachment C; the Year 1 through 4 budget columns; why is the program moving to a July-June fiscal/program year?Answer:Per Addendum 1, Attachment C has been renamed to Attachment VII. The RFA budget and subsequent Grant Agreement budget are aligned with the state fiscal year which runs from July 1st to June 30th.Question 5: Attachment C; the Year 1 through 4 budget columns; why in Year 4 is it a 2-month term, seemingly moving back to a Oct-Sept fiscal/program year?Answer:Per Part One A. Grant Agreement Start and Duration, the anticipated Grant Agreement term is October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025. The last three months of the Grant Agreement (July, August, and September) fall within the 2025/2026 state fiscal year.Question 6: I’m hoping you can provide source documents or a description for the “Eligible Target Population” column found on Attachment C of the RFA.? Answer: Per Addendum 1, Attachment C has been renamed to Attachment VII. The source of these data in the Eligible Target Population column in Attachment VII is the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Division of Health Informatics. These data are calculated using county total births, percent below 185 percent of poverty, income eligible women, children under age five below 185% poverty.Question 7: Are the amounts shown on RFA 67-107 Attachment C in the columns titled “Year 1 Budget”, “Year 2 Budget”, “Year 3 Budget” and “Year 4 Budget” correct for Lancaster County?? If they are not, what are the correct budget amounts?Answer: Per Addendum 1, Attachment C has been renamed to Attachment VII. Please refer to Addendum 1 for clarification on the revised budget amounts for Cambria and Lancaster counties.Question 8: We are hoping to get a better idea of the caseload numbers for Adams and Franklin Counties. ?We listed the actual number of participants that we served in December 2019 compared to the number if the RFA. The difference makes it much harder to support a full Adams County Budget. We wanted to better understand where these numbers actually come from and why actual numbers were not used.Answer: The source of these data in the Caseload (as of December 2019) column in Attachment VII is the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Women, Infants and Children Management Information System. Per WIC Policy and Procedure 3.01 Clinic Operations, caseload is defined as the number of individuals who are within a valid certification period and eligible to receive benefits. Participation is defined as the number of enrolled women, infants and children within a reporting period who receive benefits. Participation includes fully breastfed infants and women partially breastfeeding an infant who are not eligible for food benefits. Therefore, caseload and participation are not one and the same.Question 9: We had a quick question about the Financial Capability component of the RFA. We have an independent auditor that we work with for the agency. Since this auditor already has all of our documents, are we able to use them to complete the financial analysis for our agency?Answer: If the independent auditor is an independent Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firm, then yes. Per Part One C.2.f, each Applicant shall obtain the services of an independent CPA firm to analyze the Applicant’s financial stability and economic capability to perform the contract requirements.Question 10: Could you kindly advise what type of proof [for the Letter of Intent] the Commonwealth is requiring as I do not see it listed in the RFA, or kindly direct me to the appropriate section of the RFA??Answer: Per Addendum 2, the supporting documentation (aka proof) is up to the application and must support their selection of priority level. Some examples of proof are as follows, but not limited to or appropriate for all organizations: Corporate, legal and/or tax documentsLetters of support/intent/written agreements from another agency, private physicians, health providersQuestion 11: In reference to the above RFA number above, on page 3 of this RFA it references two attachments – Attachment V, Map of WIC Service Areas; and Attachment VI, Map of Pennsylvania Counties. I am not seeing either of these attachments located within the bid documents. The only attachments currently there are Attachment VIII and Attachment VII. Will these other ones be uploaded at a later date? Answer: Attachments V and VI are the 36th and 37th pages, respectively, of the RFA 67-107.pdf posted to the PA eMarketplace.Question 12: Page 23 Section C2 lists the format required for the submission.? Sections a), b), and c) and e) each have corresponding Attachments in Part Two and Section f) states that this will be an attachment.? In what section or format should we provide Section d) the Budget Narrative?? Attachment IV, Budget Template(s) do not have a Budget Narrative section.? Answer: The budget narrative is to be provided separately from the above-mentioned sections. Per Part One C.2., the work statement narrative including two-page summary and budget narrative should not exceed a total of 25 single-spaced, double-sided pages or 50 single-sided pages.Question 13: Must each of the Deliverables and Reporting Requirements be described in the Attachment III Work Statement?Answer: The applicant must articulate a complete and thorough plan to provide WIC services to the WIC target population within the county.Question 14: ?Please provide guidance on what you are looking for in the Work Statement Objectives Section C 2 c) i B.? Answer: The applicant must articulate their objectives (aka goals) in their response to the RFA.Question 15: I’m hoping you can provide source documents or a description for the “Eligible Target Population” column found on Attachment C of the RFA.? Answer: Please refer to the response to Question #6.Question 16: Could you please provide the Cover Page (Attachment I) in a fillable PDF or Word format?Answer: Yes. Attachment 1, Cover Page, will be available in Word format and posted with this addendum.Question 17: Information for Applicants: Project Officers, page 3In order to detail how the PHPM will be incorporated into the agency organizational structure: What is meant by “administer the day-to-day operations”? Answer: The Department means what it takes for the agency to administer daily WIC-related activities. Question 18: Information for Applicants: Project Officers, page 3In order to detail how the PHPM will be incorporated into the agency organizational structure: What is meant by “will provide direction to clinical and operation managers”?Answer: Direction, in this context, could mean a range from providing suggestions to issuing directives. Question 19: Information for Applicants: Project Officers, page 3In order to detail how the PHPM will be incorporated into the agency organizational structure: What specific duties will the PHPM be responsible for administering?Answer: The RFA provides sufficient specifics on the duties the PHPM will be responsible for administering. See Project Officers paragraph on page 3 of the RFA which states: Specifically, the PHPM will provide direction to clinical and operations managers; collaborate with budget and invoice submissions; oversee service transition logistics between the previous Grantee and the awarded Grantee, if applicable; assist with community outreach; track participation rate; and monitor staff-to-participant ratio to guarantee efficient delivery of services. See Staffing Plan on page 9 for more information on the minimum staff-to-participant ratio.Question 20:Application Procedures, 1. General, g), page 7Will the evaluation scoring tool or rubric be shared?Answer: No.Question 21:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, page 7Will the review committee members be announced?Answer: No.Question 22:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, Staffing Plan, page 9Is it fair to say that the staffing ratio can be lower than 1:550? Answer: Yes, the staff to participant ratio shall not exceed 1:550. Question 23:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, Staffing Plan, page 9What are the budget ramifications if key personnel are not included in the applicants staffing ratio? Answer: The Department acknowledges budget impacts will vary among applicants and cannot provide an all-inclusive response.Question 24:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, Staffing Plan, page 9 Can key personnel be included in the proposed budget if they are not included in the staffing ratio?Answer: Per Part One B.2., Budget and Narrative, key personnel shall be identified by job title, hourly rate, and the number of hours per year allocated to the WIC Program.Question 25:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, Staffing Plan, page 9Why is the Outreach Coordinator not listed as a key position?Answer: The applicant may include any position as key personnel as long as the applicant includes the key personnel listed in Part One B.2. Staffing Plan on page 9.Question 26:4. Deliverables, 4), page 13This states that subsequent year caseloads will be modified based on total caseload served at the end of the year. Will budgets be modified as well?Answer: No. For context, this reference is specific to awarded applicants that have never been a grantee previously. The Department intends to provide funding for the Grant Agreement term as identified in Attachment VII. Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget Narrative, the Department reserves the right to fund successful applicants at an amount less than requested if it is judged that an application can be implemented at a lower funding level.Question 27:4. Deliverables, 8),d), page 15Can you please describe a public health emergency that would institute an emergency assignment for a CPA?Answer: A pandemic situation such as the one we are facing with COVID-19.Question 28:4. Deliverables, 8),d), page 15 Who would be responsible for compensating the reassigned CPA(s) as far as salary and benefits, travel etc. for time spent out of their local agency?Answer: Work within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds. Question 29:4. Deliverables, 8),d), page 15 Is supporting a public health emergency via telehealth a possibility?Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA.Question 30:4. Deliverables, 13),d), page 17The current WIC MIS only screens for one immunization, does this meet the Department’s definition of screening all infants and children of their immunization status?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 3.00 for guidance.Question 31:4. Deliverables, 16), page 17Currently the State Agency investigates suspected fraud. Will that procedure be changing to require the Local Agencies to initiate the investigation into suspected fraud?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 1.03 for guidance.Question 32:4. Deliverables, 16), page 17If the procedure will be changed, what are the requirements (will training be provided, what documentation is required, etc.)?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 1.03 for guidance.Question 33:4. Deliverables, 16), page 17If the procedure will be changed, what are the requirements (will training be provided, what documentation is required, etc.)?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 1.03 for guidance.Question 34:4. Deliverables, 25),b), page 20Local Agencies are being asked to open clinics a minimum of two Saturdays per month. What State Agency and Help Desk support will be provided on Saturdays?Answer: Help Desk support will be available during scheduled clinic hours of operation.Question 35:4. Deliverables, 25), c), page 20 Can you please describe a situation in which the Department would become the lessee for a primary clinic site, and clarify what that means for the payment of the rental fee?Answer: If a local agency elects to discontinue grant participation, the Commonwealth must have the right of first refusal to assume the lease to preserve continuity of services to participants. Question 36:4. Deliverables, 26), page 20Can you please clarify the statement: “The awarded applicant shall employee full time equivalents (FTE) staff to work at each clinic, including the number of CPAs and administrative staff.”?Answer: Please refer to Part One B.2. Staffing Plan.Question 37:5. Reporting Requirements, j), page 22Will the Department provide the weekly separation of duties report?Answer: Yes.Question 38:5. Reporting Requirements, l), page 22Can the components of the annual plan be provided?Answer: Minimally, the annual plan should include: Goals and objectives including operating and program costs; description of program coverage and opportunities for improvement or expansion; outreach targets and methodology for reaching, attracting and retaining new participants; assessment of operational efficiency and plans for adjustment and/or innovation; assessment of workflows, resources, utilization, effectiveness and efficiency; identification of evaluation metrics; and a clear plan complete with timeline, action steps and milestones for the coming year.Question 39:C. Application Instructions and Required Format, 2. Application Format, c) Work Statement, iv., page 23 Can more details be provided for the tasks to be listed in the project plan?Answer: No.Question 40:C. Application Instructions and Required Format, 2. Application Format, d) Budget and Budget Narrative, page 24, 1st paragraphAre estimates acceptable when identifying how much of the funding will be spent on nutrition education and outreach?Answer: As noted in section Part One B.9 and section Part One B.12. Awarded Applicants are required to spend at least twenty percent of funds on nutrition education and one percent of funds on outreach activities.Question 41:C. Application Instructions and Required Format, 2. Application Format, d) Budget Narrative, page 24, 3rd paragraph This mentions that there is a budget column in Attachment VII, WIC Data Table for the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023. The budget column that begins with October 1, 2022 ends on June 30, 2023. Is this an error?Answer: Attachment VII displays the budget totals per county based on state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) while the Grant Agreement spans the federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). Question 42:B. Application Procedures, 2. Evaluation of Applications, Work Statement, page 8 and C. Application Instructions and Required Format, 2. Application Format, d) Budget and Budget Narrative, page 24, 6th paragraphWhat equipment will the Department provide for telehealth initiatives?Answer: The Department will provide laptops or tablets with video conferencing capability, a platform to conduct virtual nutrition assessment and individual and group nutrition and/or breastfeeding education and technical assistance, and virtual private network for secure connection to PENN.Question 43:Attachment VII How was the Eligible Target Population calculated? Please provide the formula.Answer: Please see response to Question #6.Question 44:Attachment VII How was the caseload as of December 2019 determined? Answer: Please see response for Question #8.Question 45:Attachment VIIWhy was December 2019 chosen to determine each County’s caseload?Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA.Question 46:Attachment VIIAre the dates listed for the Year 1 Budget through Year 4 Budget correct?Answer: Yes.Question 47:Attachment VIIIf (the dates listed for the Year 1 Budget through Year 4 Budget are correct) so, why do they not align with the dates for a Federal Fiscal Year?Answer: Attachment VII displays the budget totals per county based on state fiscal year (July 1 through June 30) while the Grant Agreement spans the federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30).Question 48:Attachment VIIWhy does the budget not include a cost of living allowance increase? Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA.Question 49:C. Application Instructions and Required Format, 2. Application Format, c) Work Statement, iii, page 23Can you confirm that the objectives to be addressed with the grant funding include: participant certification, nutrition education, breastfeeding promotion and support, implementation of the delivery system, retail store coordination, outreach activities, information and referrals and evaluation results? If not, please clarify.Answer: The applicant must articulate their objectives based on the RFA content.Question 50:BudgetIn past years breast pump funds have been provided for a 12-month period. How are we to break this out in year 1 (9 months) and year 4 (3 months) budgets?Answer: The RFA does not request the applicant to address breast pump funding.Question 51:Addendum 3If the governing entity of an awarded applicant denies the awarded applicants request to allow its employees to participant in the ACEND Dietetic Internship Program but the awarded applicant is willing to take a student intern from the ACEND Dietetic Internship Program cohort for the WIC portion of the community rotation would that be acceptable by the Department?Answer: Per Addendum 3, the awarded applicants(s) shall participate in the Department’s Accredited Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Dietetic Internship Program as an additional means of employing professional development for the WIC Program.Question 52: In the email address where RFA applications are to be submitted, please confirm there is an underscore between HEALTH and DEPT as well as an underscore between DEPT and DOC.Answer: Yes, there are underscores between DHHEALTH and DEPT and between DEPT and DOC. RA-DHHEALTH_DEPT_DOC@Question 53:References were made throughout the RFA to submitting separate proposals and separate budgets for each county.? If a grantee is successful for multiple counties, 1) will the Department of Health create a single grant agreement for all counties involved?? Answer: Yes.Question 54:Will the grantee be required to create a revised combined budget addressing economies of scale like administrative staff?Answer: Yes. Awarded applicants serving more than one county will provide a revised, combined budget addressing economies of scale. However, a revised, combined budget addressing economies of scale is not requested in response to this RFA.Question 55:Cover page – Questions about the RFA are due September 7, 2020 and the preproposal conference is not scheduled until September 21, 2020, two weeks before the proposal is due.? Will the answers be posted before the preproposal conference???Answer: No.Question 56:On page 9, a staff ratio of 1:550 is cited. Which staff are included in that ratio? Are administrative staff/managers/directors included in the ratio?Answer: Per Part One B.2. Staffing Plan, the applicant shall propose and provide the rationale for staff-to-participant ratio that is adequate to serve the WIC target population with a focus on customer service.Question 57:Attachment C--How was the eligible target population determined? How was the caseload determined? What are the numerators and denominators? Can we have access to this data?Answer: Please refer to the responses for Questions #6 and #8. respectively.Question 58:Page 25—Last paragraph before section 3: The 50-page limit for the work statement (including two-page summary and budget narrative) does not mention the appendices. ?The appendices will contain multiple pages of referral agreements, site profiles, job descriptions, etc. Is it accurate that the appendices are not included in the 50-page limit?Answer: The page limitation applies to appendices.Question 59:If a new grantee is selected for a region, does the funding for the transition year beginning 10/1/21 go to the new grantee or the current one?Answer: Transition funding will be provided to the awarded Grantee as long as the awarded Grantee is currently not providing WIC services in the county.Question 60:Is the new grantee expected to subcontract the full amount to the prior grantee for continued operations during that time?Answer: No.Transition funding will not be provided to current Grantees. Transition funding is only provided to and expended by the awarded Grantee, if the awarded Grantee is not currently providing WIC services in the county.Question 61:Is hardware and software provided by the state intended ONLY for eligibility verification, reporting and data entry purposes? Answer: Hardware and software provided by the Department is for WIC program use only.Question 62:Will additional hardware and software need to be procured by the grantee for activities such as development of participant care plans, delivery of telehealth services, use of Microsoft Office, email, etc?Answer: Please refer to the response to question #61 and also to WIC policy and procedure 2.05 for guidance.Question 63:Per Part One C.2.d. on page 24, the Department will install the necessary connectivity devices (i.e. computers for clinic use and other related devices such as printers, routers and switches) for each clinic to be on the Department network. Additionally, the Department supplies all hardware and software necessary for staff to serve WIC enrollees and these items should not be included in the proposed budget. In the first year of a contract with a new service provider, the caseload expectation is 30% of the total eligible population. How will the remainder of those who are currently receiving services be supported?Answer: The 30 percent is a benchmark, but the expectation is for the applicant to serve more than 30% of the total eligible population.Question 64:In light of COVID, will in-person trainings be delivered virtually? Answer: Per Part B.4.24, Training, unless otherwise noted, all of the trainings are held in the Harrisburg area.Question 65:If the change in virtual delivery has already been made, are previously in-person trainings expected to remain virtual? Answer: Please refer to the response for question #64.Question 66:Are 2-day trainings delivered on consecutive days? Answer: Yes, multiple day trainings are typically conducted on consecutive days.Question 67:Are staff attending these trainings expected to travel on consecutive days or are overnight hotel stays permissible budget expenses? Answer: Please refer to Commonwealth Travel and Subsistence Rates (Rev. 8/18).Question 68:If proposing new satellite sites to facilitate colocation with health and human services at the time of proposal submission, is a Civil Rights Impact Analysis required at the time of the proposal?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 1.10 for guidance. Question 69:Civil Rights Impact Analysis is required for proposed clinic relocations and closures. Is there funding available for startup costs?? If so, how much?Answer: Please refer to Attachment VII for the total funding available per county.? Question 70:Can you confirm that the startup/transition period is one full year? Answer: No. Please refer to Attachment VII for the transition duration per county.?Question 71:Are the words “startup” and “transition period” used interchangeably in the documents or do they refer to different time periods?Answer: No.They refer to different time periods.Question 72:Are food benefits paid out by the prospective awardee?? Answer: No.Question 73:If (food benefits are not paid out by the prospective awardee) not, what type of relationship exists if any between the awardee and the organization/government body that handles food benefits?Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA. Financial transactions associated with the redemption of food benefits are the responsibility of the State Agency’s banking contract provider. The State Agency, Department of Treasury and Comptroller’s Office work with the contractor to perform payments, transfers and account reconciliation activities.Question 74:Does the RFA application submission have to be single or double spaced?Answer: Per Part One C. 2, page 25, the work statement narrative including two-page summary and budget narrative should not exceed at total of 25 single-spaced, double-sided pages or 50 single-sided pages.Question 75:Addendum number 3 says that the awarded applicant(s) shall participate in the Department’s Accredited Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) Dietetic Internship Program as an additional means of employing professional development for the WIC program. Is participation in this mandatory or optional for awarded applicants?Answer: Mandatory.Question 76:On page 20, #25b says that the awarded applicant shall schedule sufficient days and hours for each WIC clinic to be open in order to provide timely WIC certification including a combination of morning, afternoon and evening hours and a minimum of two Saturdays per month to achieve and maintain assigned caseload. Is being open a minimum of two Saturdays per month mandatory or optional?Answer: Mandatory.Question 77:Is a WIC fiscal staff person considered a key staff person?Answer: No. The Department does not consider a fiscal staff person as key personnel. Per Part One B.2. Staffing Plan, the applicant must articulate each key position and the minimum requirements for each key position, including WIC program clinical and operations manager, the retail store coordinators, nutrition education coordinators, breastfeeding coordinators, and CPAs.Question 78:The RFA mentions having one application per county you want to submit for. On the day of submission, you’re saying you just want ONE email submitted, but it can have multiple attachments/applications if you’re applying for more than one county, correct? Please provide clarity for someone who is applying for more than one county.Answer: A separate email per application must be submitted.Question 79:For the application submission, the budgets that are submitted have to be within the budget amounts listed in Year 1, 2, 3, and 4 in Attachment C, correct?Answer: Yes. Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget Narrative, page 24, the Department anticipates funding awarded applicants for a total of no more than the amount per county listed in the Budget column in Attachment VII, WIC Data Table, for the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.Question 80:Is the clinical and operations manager the equivalent of a program director or county manager and is the training equivalent to the current new director training? If not, what role is this and what is included in this training?Answer: Yes.Question 81:Pg 9: “The staff to participant ratio shall not exceed 1:550.” “Key personnel may be included in the staffing ratio.” Do all staff need included in the staffing ratio or is this for smaller entities or satellite sites that may need to include Key Personnel to meet ratios?Answer: No, all staff do not need to be included in the staffing ratio.Per Part One B.2. Staffing Plan, the applicant shall propose and provide the rationale for staff-to-participant ratio that is adequate to serve the WIC target population with a focus on customer service.Question 82:Pg 15: “The CPA is considered an essential position and may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time.”Can an example of this deployment be provided such as context of such a deployment, similar DOH past practice with local providers who operate non-emergency federal programs?Answer: Maintaining uninterrupted participant services during a pandemic situation when other program areas operated by an agency are suspended would be an example of “deployment”. Deployment may or may not involvedinvolve physical relocation within the state to perform work duties. The WIC program is unique among programs operated by the State. As such, comparison to other providers is not appropriate. During the current on-going pandemic, WIC has been identified as an essential service with its association to optimal health and nutrition. Although WIC’s mission is nutrition education, it assists with food security by providing food prescriptions designed to mitigate the nutritional risks of its participants.Question 83:Will the Commonwealth or alternate site be responsible for liability, travel and subsistence, childcare costs, and workers compensation (the employees will not be under our supervision and therefore not covered by our policy).Answer: Work within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds. Childcare costs are the responsibility of the respective employee.Question 84:Some staff may not be able to accommodate this, they have children in school or are caretakers at home when not at work, is it the expectation that WIC offices should be using this as hiring criteria?Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA.Question 85:Pg 17: Re: investigate suspected fraud …including reporting potential fraud to the “appropriate authorities”.Who are the “appropriate authorities” referred to in this statement?Answer: The appropriate authorities will vary by situation or circumstance. Fraud may be reported to the police, Department of State, Attorney General, etc. Question 86:Are you looking to have the local agency perform the investigation or to report suspected fraud and fully cooperate with authorities?Answer: Please refer to WIC P&P 1.03 for guidance.Question 87:Pg 19: Training mentions “Outreach Coordinator” training. These training are listed; however, this position is not mentioned on pg 21 under Key Personnel. Should these positions be included in the response to the RFA and accompanying budget?Answer: The Department does not consider the Outreach Coordinator to be key personnel. Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget Narrative, the budget shall identify each staff position by job title, hourly rate, and the number of hours allocated to the WIC Program.Question 88:Peer Counselor Training is mentioned; but last time PC program was not part of the RFA. These training are listed; however, these positions are not mentioned on pg 21 under Key Personnel. Should these positions be included in the response to the RFA and accompanying budget?Answer: The Department does not consider the Peer Counselor to be key personnel. Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget Narrative, the budget shall identify each staff position by job title, hourly rate, and the number of hours allocated to the WIC Program.Question 89:If the BF Peer Counselor Program is not included in this RFA, will it be a separate opportunity to apply for those funds?Answer: This question is outside the scope of the RFA.Question 90:Pg 20: c) “At the discretion of the Department, the awarded applicant may be required to identify at least one primary clinic location in each awarded county for which the Department will be the lessee.”Can an example be provided to explain this? Are you looking for the Department to be responsible for the entire clinic rental or an office for a PM?Answer: The Commonwealth must be given right of first refusal to assume a lease should a grantee discontinue provision of the grant agreement. Grantees must negotiate with lessors to incorporate appropriate language into lease agreements. Costs within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations.Question 91:Pg 20: “The awarded applicant shall develop policies and procedures for implementing WIC services in compliance with Federal and state regulations, policies and procedures, and guidance.”Will locals be required to develop these policies for every state policy or can locals use the state policies alone, when they are clear and don’t need modification for the agency site? Answer: As stated, the awarded applicant shall develop policies and procedures for implementing WIC services in compliance with Federal and state regulations, policies and procedures, and guidance.Question 92:On Attachment C – where did the numbers shared come from? Current caseloads are different than what is listed. For example, Adams County caseload of 1,293 (as of Dec. 2019 listed in the RFA), while the Participation with Benefits report for December, 2019 indicates 1,568 receiving benefits at our Adams County clinics. Current participation in July, 2020 indicating 1,668.Answer: Please refer to the response to Question #8.Question 93:In the budget, should Personnel be listed as Clinic Staff – CPA, Clinic Staff – Non-CPA, and Administrative Staff? If not, how should staff personnel be listed?Answer: Per Part One C.3, Budget Definitions, Personnel: this budget category shall identify each position by job title, hourly rate, and the number of hours per year allocated to the project. Question 94:Does the Equipment category include computer equipment and software purchases as in the current policy? If not, where will these purchases be listed on the budget?Answer: No.Per Part One C.3, Budget Definitions, Supplies: this budget category shall reflect expected costs for general office supplies including personal computers and facsimile machines valued at less than $5,000, needed to support this project.Question 95:Evaluation of ApplicationsBy incorporating the PHPM into the agency’s organizational structure, do you expect them to be included in the agency’s organizational chart?Answer: It is not mandatory that the PHPM be reflected in the agency’s organizational chart; however, they can be represented in that way preferable with a dotted line as might be done to reflect contractors or others not directly on the agency’s payroll.Question 96:Deliverables8. d. What consideration will be taken for the local agency’s current staffing, before pulling a CPA to travel to another site for an emergency assignment?Answer: Priority will be focused on uninterrupted services to WIC participants.Question 97:Will fraud investigations be the sole responsibility of the local agencies?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 1.03 for guidance.Question 98:In the event that the Department may be required to identify at least one primary clinic location, for which the Department will be the lessee, to whom will be the responsibility of the rent?Answer: Please refer to the response for Question #90.Question 99:Page 7 Part 1 B.1.fIs there a scoring sheet that will be provided that outlines the points dedicated to each section of the RFA?Answer: No.Question 100: Page 1 Attachment CIn the past, a 3-year average was used to determine participant totals and budget. It appears that a single month snapshot was used to determine the budget for this RFA.? We respectfully request that an averaged 3 year participant total be used to provide a more accurate depiction of the budget for each county.Answer: No.Question 101:Part 1 A?page 2 paragraph 4Are agencies able to subcontract with other local agencies or organization to deliver WIC services? Answer: Yes. Per Part One A. Application Requirements, applications are welcomed from nonprofit agencies, including health departments, hospitals, human service or Tribal organizations which provide health services, either directly or through subcontract.Question 102:Part 1?page 24 C.2.dWill laptops with VPN access be provided for agencies that want to provide operations from a mobile unit such as a van or move to many office locations?Answer: No, laptops with VPN access will not be provided for agencies that want to provide operations from a mobile unit such as a van or move to many office locations. Mobile units will likely have mobile 4G routers installed.Question 103:Part 1 page 19 Part 1 B.4.24.b.iiiIs a peer counselor program a requirement for the WIC program?Answer: No.Question 104:If multiple Counties are awarded, will there be one budget and invoice for all coverage areas, or will they continue to be individual by county?Answer: The Department of Health will execute a single Grant Agreement per awarded applicant for all counties awarded.Question 105:If WIC offices are to be open on Saturdays, what State WIC staff will be available for PENN support and nutrition/policy support?Answer: Help desk support will be available during all scheduled hours of clinic operation.Question 106: Can we substitute a different title for a key staff person?Answer: Yes, as long as the applicant’s response includes a clear explanation as to which key personnel title is being substituted.Question 107:What is the source for the eligible population numbers?Answer: Please see response to Question #6.Question 108:What is the view on Directors? The title is not used under key personnel. Answer: Per Part One B.2. Staffing Plan, the applicant must articulate each key position and the minimum requirements for each key position, including WIC program clinical and operations manager, the retail store coordinators, nutrition education coordinators, breastfeeding coordinators, and CPAs. This does not prohibit inclusion of a WIC Director position.Question 109:Page 15 states CPAs can be deployed to other sites in the event of an emergency. Will the other agency in need of assistance or the Department of Health be covering the cost of travel (mileage, hotels, meals, etc…)?Answer: Work within the scope of WIC deliverables, including travel, will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds. Question 110: Outreach Coordinator is not listed under key personnel but new Outreach Coordinator training is required? Why the discrepancy?Answer: The Outreach Coordinator is not considered key personnel per the RFA but outreach is a required deliverable.Question 111: Please explain the disparity between the budget amounts allocated per county as compared to caseload per county. When looking at the 12 month budget and the caseload number WIC Data Table – Attachment VII, the cost per participant ranges from $174.20 to $295.15, a difference of $120 per participant, with counties that are served currently by a regional organization at the lowest end of the scale. Why is the PA Department of Health willing to budget so much more to serve some counties rather than others? Why do counties with smaller caseloads receive more funding than those with larger caseloads and larger eligible target populations?Answer: The Department based the budgeted amounts on actual costs per participant in each county. Variations are to be expected due to a range of factors unique to each agency and target population.Question 112: When comparing county data on the WIC Data Table – Attachment VII, it is evident that some counties are allocated a budget of hundreds of thousands more than another county with a similar or even higher caseload. What is the basis for this disparity? If the rationale for the lower budget amount per participant has to do with historical funding bands based on current local agency total caseloads, not county by county caseloads, then why must applicants submit separate applications per county and not an application that takes into account the full regional caseload of an agency applying for a multi-county region?Answer:The Department based the budgeted amounts on actual costs per participant in each county. Variations are to be expected due to a range of factors unique to each agency and target population.Question 113: The budget amounts on the WIC Data Table – Attachment VII are clearly allocated by current grantee service regions, with the lowest budget per caseload for the agency serving the most counties. This demonstrates the cost savings achieved by a regional approach to service delivery (as outlined in the preferences on page 2 of the RFA). Why must individual county applications be submitted by an agency applying to serve multiple counties if the regional approach results in cost savings? Answer: Identifying cost savings as a result of providing services in multiple counties is not a factor for applicants to consider when responding to this RFA.Question 114: If agencies that serve multiple counties are expected to provide services with less funds, as presented on the WIC Data Table – Attachment VII, then why can’t those cost containment strategies be presented in one regional application and budget that takes in account the economies of scale of a coordinated regional approach to service delivery?Answer: Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget narrative, cost containment based on the applicant providing WIC services in multiple counties should not be demonstrated on the budget documents.Question 115: Please explain the reason that an applicant planning to serve multiple counties cannot demonstrate cost containment, economies of scale, and efficiency in service delivery administration by submitting a multi-county application and budget. If an agency is successfully implementing cost containment strategies to prevent unnecessary spending through the economies of scale using a multi-county, regional approach, why is it not acceptable to apply for a multi-county region in one application?Answer: Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget narrative, cost containment based on the applicant providing WIC services in multiple counties should not be demonstrated on the budget documents.Question 116: In Part One – Section A “Information for Applicants”, on page 2 of the RFA, the following information is provided: “It is preferred that applicants have experience providing services for large populations over different geographic areas. This experience should help increase access to services by providing economies of scale through shared administrative costs and improved customer service through flexible staffing. Higher points will be given to applicants that propose sites in areas with a high number of estimated eligible participants and to those demonstrating an ability to serve a greater number of participants and improve access to the program.” And in Part One, Section B – Application Procedures, in the Work Statement section on Page 8, the RFA reads: “The applicant must articulate a complete and thorough plan to provide WIC services to the WIC target population within the county, including:??Demonstrating experience providing services for large populations over different geographic areas”Yet, in Part One - Section C “Application Instructions and Required Format” 2 (d), page 24, it reads: “Since separate applications are required for each county for which the applicant applies, the applicant must complete budget documents as if it were only providing WIC services in the applied for county. Cost containment based on the applicant providing WIC services in multiple counties should not be demonstrated on the budget documents.” These sections contradict each other. Please provide guidance on how the applicant with regional experience should demonstrate the preferences outlined on page 2 and page 8 (listed above), while submitting separate applications and separate budgets for each county and complying with the instruction on page 24? How does the Department of Health want applicants to present costs associated with key personnel and administrative staff who will be shared across multiple counties?Answer: Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget narrative, cost containment based on the applicant providing WIC services in multiple counties should not be demonstrated on the budget documents.Question 117:If a successful applicant is awarded multiple counties, would one combined contract and budget be awarded for the entire service delivery area? Answer: YesQuestion 118:What data is used to determine the eligible target population number on Attachment VII – WIC data table? Answer: Please see response to Question #6. Question 119:In the deliverables section - Page 20: Part One – Section B (4) #25 (b) - “The awarded applicant shall schedule sufficient days and hours for each WIC clinic site to be open in order to provide timely WIC certification, Food Benefit distribution or other activities, including a combination of morning, afternoon and evening hours and a minimum of two Saturdays per month to achieve and maintain assigned caseload.” What is the plan for state agency support of local agency operations on Saturdays, for example Help Desk support? Answer: Help desk support will be available during all scheduled hours of clinic operation.Question 120:Are Saturday hours required for every clinic? Is each Clinic location required to be open a minimum of two Saturdays per month or is it sufficient to offer visits by appointment on two selected Saturdays?Answer: The applicant must articulate their plan to meet the stated objectives based on the applicant’s resources.Question 121:In the deliverables section - Page 20: Part One – Section B, (4) #25 (c) – “At the discretion of the Department, the awarded applicant may be required to identify at least one primary clinic location in each awarded county for which the Department will be the lessee.” What is the purpose and rationale of this section? Answer: The Commonwealth must be given right of first refusal to assume the lease to assure continuity of participant services should a local agency discontinue participation in the grant.Question 122:With regards to the budget template,?what it the purpose for the nine-month period (10-1-22 to 6-30-23) as opposed to a twelve month period?? Will this grant time period of October through September be shifting to July through June in the future?Answer: Please refer to the response to Questions #4 and #5. Question 123:From Page 15 of the RFA: “The CPA is considered an essential position and may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time.” Will the State agency absorb unbudgeted expenses incurred as a result of such an assignment?Answer: Work within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds. Question 124:What is the rationale and context of such a deployment? Is there similar DOH past practice with local providers who operate non-emergency federal programs, and an agreement that the Commonwealth pay for liability, travel and subsistence, childcare costs, and workers compensation? Answer: The rationale would be uninterrupted participant services or assisting to sustain or improve the nutrition, health and well-being of PA residents during times of public health emergency. WIC is unlike any other program in Health so circumstances can’t be duplicated. And, work within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds. Childcare costs are the responsibility of the respective employee.Question 125:From Section 5.c page 20 Deliverables-Reporting Requirements and 5 page 2 Payment Provisions-Final Invoice: A final written report is due within 30 days after the close of the Grant and the final invoice must be submitted within 45 days of the Contract Termination. Are these submission dates correct, or will they both be due at the same time?Answer:These reporting requirements are correct.Question 126: If in a COVID situation where need for being quarantined, can an extension on the deadline be granted?Answer:No.Question 127: On page 9, under 'Staffing Plan', outreach coordinator is not listed as one of the key positions, but should it be? It is referred to later in the RFA under the Deliverables section on 'Training'.?Answer:Please refer to the response to Question #110.Question 128: On page 15, referring to emergency assignment, is the possible requirement to have to travel to another site within the local agency they belong to?Answer:Yes.Question 129: The WIC Director title is not seen anywhere in the RFA, okay to have listed as a key position?Answer:Please see the response to Question #108.Question 130: Page #8RFA Statement:The applicant must detail how it will incorporate the assigned PHPM into the agency organizational structure, facilitate a harmonious working environment and plan to resolve disagreements in a timely and amicable fashion.Question: To what degree is the agency required to incorporate the assigned PHPM into the agency organizational structure? For example, having a Commonwealth employee included on the organizational chart, even indirectly, would be misleading to other and potential funders since PHPMs are employed by the Commonwealth, not the local agency.Answer:It is not required to include the PHPM in the organizational chart; however, they could be reflected by a dotted line similar to how contractors or others not directly on an agency payroll would be reflected. Question 131:Page #15RFA Statement:The CPA is considered an essential position and may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department. Emergency assignments could at times be received with little or no advance notice and may continue for any period of time – ranging from a few hours to several weeks, depending upon the nature of the circumstance. The emergency assignments may at times be performed under adverse conditions and may require travel to another site other than the employee’s assigned headquarters for periods of time.Question:Please provide similar examples of the Commonwealth’s experience with deploying staff employed by a local organization for emergency assignments outside of the local organization’s service and employment area.In these situations, what type of agreement and terms does the Commonwealth enter into and establish with the local organization?Answer:Refer to question #82.Question 132:Will the Commonwealth pay for travel, subsistence and other considerations for impacted local area staff?Answer:Work within the scope of WIC deliverables, including travel, will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds.Question 133:Under whose direction and supervision will the local area staff be working when deployed? Answer:Local area staff will continue to serve as independent contractors under the supervision of the Bureau of WIC.Question 134:Since CPAs would be deployed at the discretion of the Commonwealth, are staff then covered by the Commonwealth’s liability insurance and workers compensation?Answer:No. Question 135:Page #9 RFA Statements:The applicant must articulate a plan to leverage staffing resources, including hiring current WIC staff and utilizing students and interns to provide services to participants.And Page #20The awarded applicant shall employee full time equivalent (FTE) staff to work at each clinic, including the number of CPAs and administrative staff. The awarded applicant is encouraged to leverage existing resources, including students and interns to provide services to enrollees and explain how this will be done.Question:Is the awarded agency permitted to use interns and students for special projects (outreach activities, bulletin boards, etc.) in lieu of providing services to participants? Because of the extensive training required to provide WIC services, project-based clinic assistance lends itself much better to the short amount of time that interns spend in our clinics. Answer:YesQuestion 136:Page #20RFA Statement:At the discretion of the Department, the awarded applicant may be required to identify at least one primary clinic location in each awarded county for which the Department will be the lessee. Question:Please provide clarity for this statement, including an example of a situation where the Department would become a lessee of the awarded applicant. Answer: The Commonwealth must be given right of first refusal to assume the lease to assure continuity of participant services should the grantee discontinue provision of the grant. Question 137:Is it the Department’s intent to be the local area WIC Clinic lessee?Answer: The Commonwealth will only assume lease responsibility if a local agency discontinues participation in the grant and exercises their right of first refusal to assure continuity of participant services.Question 138:Would our organization be required to enter into a sublease with the Commonwealth?Answer: No. The local agency would be required to negotiate with lessors to incorporate right of first refusal language for the Commonwealth should the local discontinue participation in the grant.Question 139:Budget and Budget Narrative Section, application processThe Budget (STANDARD) spreadsheet shows tabs for a total of six years. The first four years are identified and broken down for the time period of October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2025. The tabs for Year 5 and Year 6 do not include a budget period. Are these tabs to remain blank or is there additional information that should be provided for these tabs?Answer: These tabs are to remain blank.Question 140:Budget and Budget Narrative Section, application processShould the TRANSITION budget only be completed by those not currently providing services? If we currently provide the services for a county, should we only be completing the STANDARD budget for October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2025? ?Answer: Per Part One C.2.d., Budget and Budget Narrative, Applicants must submit a budget (Standard) covering October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2025. Applicants not currently providing services in a county must also submit a budget (Transition) for the appropriate transition period as outlined in Attachment VII, WIC Data Table.Question 141:Section B(2) – Evaluation of Applicants. Page 7 lists the criteria used by the Review Committee. “Evaluation criteria used by the Review Committee, include problem statement, work statement, clinic location and justification, staffing plan, draft transition plan, budget and budget narrative, and applicant’s relative availability of health services.”Question: Are the different criteria weighted differently? Answer: Yes.Question 142:If (the different criteria are weighted differently) so, can you please provide the respective weights?Answer: No.Question 143:Can you please describe the review process? Do evaluators review the application in its entirety, or only certain sections?Answer: Each application is reviewed in its entirety. Question 144:Section B(4)(4) – Service LevelsWill the funding formula remain the same with funding related to agency participation?Answer: Funding for the Grant Agreement duration is provided in Attachment VII.Question 145:Will awarded agencies be able to request additional/reduced caseload as needed as suggested caseload is based on a time period of transition to a new MIS/EBT system?Answer: No.Question 146:Section B(4)(8)(d) ?- Certification of eligible enrollees. “A CPA is considered an essential position and may be assigned to an emergency assignment to support the public health emergency response mission of the Department.” Question: What is the expectation of compensation and other HR related issues during the timeframe working for other agencies?? Items such as salaries, travel arrangements, workers comp issues, and HR policy variances?Answer: Work within the scope of WIC deliverables will be funded by existing local agency NSA budget allocations. Any work outside the scope of WIC deliverables would need to be funded by State funds.Question 147:Section B(4)(24) – TrainingWould/could current grantees continuing WIC services under the new provision be included as part of trainings if they felt they needed this guidance?Answer: Yes.Question 148:Section B(4)(25)(b) – Clinic Layout and PlacementWhat Department IT support services will be available for early, late and weekend hours of operation at the local level?Answer: Help desk staff will be available during all scheduled hours of clinic operation.Question 149:Section B(4)(25)(c) – Clinic Layout and PlacementPlease provide more detail on the expectation if/when the Department would become a lessee of a primary clinic location. Does this mean the State agency will assume all financial responsibility for the local agency site?Answer: Local agencies will be responsible for paying rent on leased space unless they discontinue grant provisions at which time the Commonwealth must be given right of first refusal to assume the lease to assure continuity of participant services. If the Commonwealth assumes responsibility for grant work and elects to absorb the lease, the State Agency will pay rental fees with existing local agency funding allocated to the previous provider.Question 150:Section B(5)(d) – Reporting RequirementsShould the Outreach Coordinator also be considered “key personnel”?Answer: Please refer to the response for Question #110.Question 151:Section B(5)(g) – Reporting RequirementsWhat is the recording expectations of local agency time studies?Answer: Please refer to WIC policy and procedure 2.03 for guidance.? Question 152:Section C. part 2(c) Application Format – Work StatementCan part iii Objectives be included as part of the Project Plan, part iv? Or must they be separated?Answer: The applicant has latitude in this area as long as the Work Statement topics listed are articulately addressed. Question 153:Section C. part 2(c)iii – Objectives to be addressed with Grant funding????? Can you please provide more detail on this section or give an example? Should each section of the Work Statement – Section B (2) pg 8 have associated objectives?Answer: The applicant must articulate their objectives (aka goals) in their response to the RFA.Question 154:Section C. part 2(c)iv - Project PlanHow many years should the project plan cover?Answer: Per Part One A. Grant Agreement Start and Duration, the anticipated Grant Agreement term is October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025.Question 155:Section C. part 2(d) - Budget narrativeIs there a template or more instructions available for completing the budget narrative?Answer: Per Part One C.2.d. Budget and Budget Narrative, use the downloadable format(s) to present your budget request. Instructions regarding completion of the budget(s) can be found in the last worksheet of the downloadable excel budget file.Question 156:Section C – part 2 – Application formatPlease confirm whether the 50-page maximum (pg 25) includes the clinic location and justification, staffing plan, and transition plan. On page 23, these sections are included under the Work Statement Section C(2)(c), but on page 7 they are distinguished from the work statement: “Evaluation criteria used by the Review Committee, include problem statement, work statement, clinic location and justification, staffing plan, draft transition plan, budget and budget narrative, and applicant’s relative availability of health services.”Answer: Confirmed.Question 157:Cover Page???????? What type of documentation is required as proof of priority level? Should agreements with other agencies be signed/executed and attached with submitted applications?Answer: Please refer to Addendum 2 for guidance.Question 158:Can we include attachments (letters of support, etc.) not specifically requested in the RFA?Answer:The page limitation applies to attachments (letters of support, etc.) not specifically requested in the RFA.Question 159:Are there any specifics and/or more guidance to refer to regarding 'Agreed Upon Procedures Engagements' on top of pg 25 under Financial Capability?Answer:The only change is the removal of the requirement in Part One C.2.f.v.A.ii. Therefore, the executive summary shall contain at a minimum the results of the CPA firm’s financial ratio analysis. Said results to show how the applicant’s ratios compare to industry standards and trends.Question 160:Would agencies have the ability to complete WIC services out of a mobile unit through a different means? Answer:Yes, agencies will have the ability to complete WIC services out of a mobile unit.Question 161:You stated that all clinics must be open two Saturdays per month. Please clarify if that means every clinic or every primary clinic. Some of our small clinics are only open a few days per month. Answer: See response to question #120.Question 162:For the personnel in the budget, must we list every position individually, or could we group a category and provide the minimum and maximum pay for the position? For example, could we list 15 CPAs and indicate the lowest and highest pay among the category?Answer: Each position must be listed individually. Question 163:Is it a requirement to sponsor an employee, if they approved for the internship?Answer: Application to the DI Internship requires a letter of support from the LA. If an applicant is approved for program participation, the respective LA would be expected to support their applicant since other applicants were denied participation as a result of their placement.Question 164:On the cover page, what grant amount would you like to see listed? Is this a total of all years?Answer:YesQuestion 165:When counting the number of staff for the staff:participant ratio, can we include interns and students?Answer:Yes.Question 166:Can you please clarify if all clinics, including satellites, will be mandated to be open two Saturday’s per month.Answer: Please refer to the response to question #120.Question 167:Per page 25, last sentence in section 2 “The work statement narrative including the two-page summary and budget narrative should not exceed a total of 25 single spaced double sided paged or 50 single sided pages.This language around page limit does not include forms, the line-item budget, or the appendices. How did the appendices get included in the page limit?Answer:The page limitation applies to attachments (appendices, letters of support, etc.) not specifically requested in the RFA.Question 168:Saturday hours, is that only for primary sites?Answer:Please refer to the response to question #120.Question 169:Nutrition counseling is a billable service under Medicaid. Is a local agency healthcare provider able to bill for a nutrition contact with a WIC Registered Dietician if the participant is also a patient at the Health Center and requires a nutrition contact? In this scenario, the WIC contact and the medical contact would be done at the same time.Answer:This question should be referred to MA.Question 170:Are CPA firms able to reach out with questions regarding the AUP requirement? If so, to whom? If not, is there a standard template that will be distributed so that each audit firm is fully aware of what is required? Our audit firm reviewed the requirement and is requesting further clarification on what is required.Answer:No questions will be accepted, and no template will be provided.Question 171:What will be the expectation for the Local Agency, participating in the ACEND Dietetic Internship, to collect the $31, 250.00 from the intern if he/she do not commit to the 2years of working with the local agency once the internship is over.Answer:The LA must demonstrate a good-faith effort as advised by the LA legal counsel.Question 172:Does the 20% nutrition include wages and benefits?Answer:YesQuestion 173:Can you please confirm that only the Work Statement and budget narrative and related attachments are part of the 50-page limit? In other words, please confirm that the Cover Page and supporting documents, Certification Form, Budget (Standard), and Financial Capability Report and supporting documents are not included in the page limit.Answer:The 50-page limit is limited to items listed in Section C.2.c). Any appendices to this section would be included in the 50-page limit. Question 174:Will all the questions and answers you covered today in this question and answer session be posted and if so what will be the time line to post these questions?Answer:Yes, they will be posted to eMarketplace within five working days.Question 175:Does the transition period start October 1, 2021 if a current agency is awarded to another agency?Answer:No. Please refer to Attachment VII, WIC Data Table for transition durations.Question 176:Do increases in the indirect rate need to be estimated in the future budgets in order to be approved by the state? It’s difficult to know what these might be.Answer:For the purposes of the RFA budget, please use the current indirect rate for future budgets.Question 177:If a county, Local Agency, was denied based on their letter of intent and no one bids on that county, Local Agency, will the county have the opportunity to submit another bid or what is the protocol?Answer:No. If a county is not included in any submitted applications or if the Department determines the applicant or applicants for a county do not meet the minimum technical requirements, the Department may negotiate with an awarded applicant or amend an existing Grant Agreement to include said county.Question 178:When submitting, do you want us to send one huge file, or one email with several files attached (work statement, financial information, attachments, etc.)? Answer:The Department does not have a preference but please note there is a 10 MB size limit per email. If your application exceeds 10 MB, zip the file to reduce the size or submit multiple emails until the entire application is able to be received.Question 179:Can you clarify the difference between the objectives in the work statement and the objective to be addressed with grant funding?Answer:Part One C.2.c.i.B requires the applicant to summarize the objectives to be described in more detail in Part One C.2.c.iii Objectives to be addressed with Grant funding. ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download