Background
Under the Food Security Act of 1985, all States were required to
automate their food stamp program operations and computerize their
systems for obtaining, utilizing and transmitting information concerning the
food stamp program. Each state is responsible for developing and
implementing an Automated Data Processing/Computerization
of Information Systems (ADP/CIS) Plan to ensure a sufficient level of
automation to administer the FSP. Therefore, a major component for
meeting APD approval and system automation standards is to ensure that
the ADP/CIS Model Plan requirements are met. These are described at
7 CFR 272.10.
As of October 1, 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the
new name of the Food Stamp Program. The new name reflects the changes made
to meet the needs of our clients and put healthy food within reach, focusing
upon nutrition, increases in benefit amounts, and changes to make the Program
more accessible.
General APD
Requirements
State agencies are required to
develop sufficient automation and to adhere to other receive Federal funding for
automation projects. Sufficient automation levels are those that result in
effective programs or in cost-effective reductions in errors and improvements in
management efficiency. Prior approval and documentation requirements for
automated systems are intended to provide the Federal government with
information to ensure that automation projects support sound FSP administration
and comply with establish requirements.
The Cost
Allocation Methodology (CAM) Toolkit must be followed for properly
allocation costs for projects funded by multiple programs.
Prior Approval Requirements
Automation projects require prior approval if the total acquisition
exceeds $5 million in State and Federal costs for both competitive and
noncompetitive acquisitions.
Noncompetitive acquisitions from a non-governmental source that have total State
and Federal acquisition costs of more than $1 million need prior approval
of the justification for sole-source purchase.
Specific prior approval thresholds
apply for APD documents including Planning and Implementation APDs, Request for
Proposals, Contracts. For an overview,
click here, or see FNS Handbook 901 for detailed
guidance.
Post-Implementation Reviews
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program APD approval process
described at 7 CFR 277.18 states that FNS may conduct a
post-implementation review of the system once it is fully operational
statewide. It is standard process, resources permitting, that the
Regional Office staff conduct these reviews. The review combines
the ADP/CIS Model Plan Requirements, system controls and performance
requirements, and system security, among other topics, as its
foundation.
A Post-Implementation Review Checklist is used by Regional
Office Staff to conduct the review by obtaining information prior to and during
the on-site review. See APD Document Checklists
for a preview of this
document.
Last modifed:
11/25/2008
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