B -- Expert Review of the WIC Food Packages

This publication serves as a notice of intent to award a sole source contract to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for the purpose of providing an expert review of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). This project will be in two phases to: 1) review and assess the nutritional needs of the WIC population using current scientific research identifying nutrient and food deficiencies and excesses; 2) recommend priority nutrients and foods for the WIC food packages; 3) provide guidance on applying national guidance such a the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) to WIC's food package approach to meeting priority nutritional needs; 4) review specific foods dense in the priority nutrients, noting relative strengths and weaknesses of each food with the context of WIC food packages; 5) recommend and prioritize scientific food selection and food package development criteria for each WIC category; and, 6) recommend relatively cost neutral changes to the WIC food packages based on the review. The food package recommendations should not significantly increase the cost or administrative burden to the WIC Program nor change the supplemental nature of the Program. NAS is a long - established source of scientific research and policy advice to the Government, created in 1863 and most reconfirmed by E.O. 12832 (January 19, 1993). NAS has the unique ability to assemble the Nation's most eminent scholars, who serve as volunteers on committees and boards without compensation, to render guidance of the highest quality and unparalleled objectivity to address national problems of high priority. This sole source acquisition is being issued under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and is advertised to meet the requirements of FAR 5.2. Questions must be submitted to Tina M Nevitt by e-mail to contact@example.gov before Friday, July 25, 2003.