FNS Announces
State Agency Model (SAM) Project Grant Opportunity

6/15/04: The application period is now closed.

On April 29, 2004, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) announced the opportunity for State agencies, including territories and federally recognized Indian tribal governments, to submit grant applications for the State Agency Model (SAM) project. WIC is expected to request approximately $30 million per fiscal year over the 5-year period between FY 2004 and 2008 for State agency information systems, for a total of $150 million. Projects supported by this additional funding will be monitored by the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) to ensure that State agency information systems continue to be designed, developed, and deployed in a cost-effective and technically sound manner.

The designated funding for State agency information systems is intended to promote the development of model WIC systems by consortia. It also includes the transfer of these models to other WIC State agencies in order to eliminate duplication and streamline the procurement process. This process supports the agency’s goal to improve the stewardship of federal funds by replacing State agency legacy systems to increase the efficiency, capability, and consistency for tracking program expenditures, infant formula rebates, program income and other financial aspects of the Program. The modernization of WIC systems will also improve the efficiency of program administration by streamlining clinic operations, and reducing the incidence of WIC Program fraud through development and enhancement of fraud detection systems.

The grant application process for the SAM project is comprised of two phases. Phase I will be used to identify consortia and their member State agencies. Phase II will be used to evaluate budgets, schedules, and systems proposed by each selected consortium and to approve cooperative agreements. Phase I application will be due June 14th, 2004. Once consortia have been identified, Phase II will begin. FNS will prepare a grant agreement for each consortium. Initial funds will be provided to prepare planning documents such as PAPD (if necessary) and IAPD. Phase II documents will be due in the 2nd quarter, fiscal year 2005 (tentative), although this may be revised after Phase I submissions are assessed. After Phase II documents have been approved, funds will be added to the existing grant agreement.

6/15/04: The application period is now closed.
Phase I of your SAM package must be received by FNS on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, June 14th, 2004. Applicants must be either mailed directly to FNS at the address below or submitted electronically by accessing www.grants.gov. FNS will not accept faxed or direct e-mailed versions of your application.   If you choose to mail your application, it must be delivered or sent to Lisa Johnson, Grant Officer, FNS, USDA, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 738, Alexandria, VA  22302.  

Any questions about the grant application process should be directed to Lisa Johnson at (703) 305-2848, or via email at lisa.johnson@fns.usda.gov.

Some of these documents are PDF files – click here to get free Acrobat Reader.   

• Cover letter for State agencies

• Grant Application Package   (due 6/14/2004)  
  6/15/04: The application period is now closed.

• Instructions for obtaining the required Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number.
  
• Information about electronic grant applications

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