WIC Vendor Cost Containment - Interim Rule
The comment period is now closed. (11/30/06)
This interim rule amends the regulations governing the Special
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to
strengthen vendor cost containment. The rule incorporates into
program regulations new legislative requirements that affect the
selection, authorization, and reimbursement of retail vendors.
These requirements are contained in the Child Nutrition and WIC
Reauthorization Act of 2004, enacted on June 30, 2004. The rule
reflects the statutory provisions that require State agencies to
implement a vendor peer group system, competitive price criteria, and
allowable reimbursement levels in a manner that ensures that the WIC
Program pays authorized vendors competitive prices for supplemental
foods. It also requires State agencies to ensure that vendors that
derive more than 50 percent of their annual food sales revenue from WIC
food instruments do not result in higher food costs to the program than
do other vendors. The intent of these provisions is to maximize
the number of eligible women, infants, and children served with
available Federal funding.
This rule is effective December 29, 2005.
Implementation date: State agencies must implement the provisions of
this rule no later than December 30, 2005.
FNS invites interested persons to submit comments on this interim
rule. To be assured of consideration, comments on this interim
rule must be received by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) on or
before November 29, 2006.
The comment period is now closed.
All comments submitted in response to this interim rule will be
included in the record and will be made available to the public.
Please be advised that the substance of the comments and the identities
of the individuals or entities submitting the comments will be subject
to public disclosure. All written submissions will be available for
public inspection at the address above during regular business hours
(8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.), Monday through Friday.
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