WIC Program Statewide Personnel & Service Delivery

The South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Family Nutrition Services (OFNS), Special Supplemental Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC) program is seeking proposals from a partner agency to hire and manage staff for the delivery of WIC services. The selected agency will recruit, employ, supervise, and provide oversight for a range of positions essential to WIC operations, including administrative support, nutrition, data, and professional staff. Working collaboratively with WIC Dietitian Managers, the Office Administrator, and the Grants/Contract Manager, the agency will help determine staffing levels and placement while maintaining the contracted amount to meet program needs. The agency will adapt staffing to funding allocations provided to the WIC program by United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Administration (USDA-FNA) and manage turnover while upholding exceptional service provision. Through these roles, the agency will support consistent, participant-centered services that promote healthy growth, nutrition, and access to community resources for individuals and families served by the WIC Program. Background: The WIC Program was established in 1974 to address widespread concerns about poor nutrition among low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children in the United States. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS), WIC provides nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals to health and social services. The program was created based on evidence that early nutritional intervention significantly improves pregnancy outcomes, child growth, and long-term health. Over the decades, WIC has become one of the nation’s most impactful public health program, serving millions of families each year and continually adapting to meet evolving nutritional and community needs. WIC is funded through the annual federal appropriations process. Since 1997, Congress has provided consistent, bipartisan funding at levels sufficient to meet the needs of all eligible families each year. Offerors may email inquiries concerning this RFP to obtain clarification of requirements. No inquiries will be accepted after the date and time indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Inquiries must be emailed to Rhonda Buntrock at Rhonda.buntrock@state.sd.us with the subject line “RFP # 26-0904004-018. The State will respond to offeror’s inquiries (if required) via e-mail. In addition, all inquiries and the State’s response will be posted on the state’s e-procurement system. Offerors may not rely on any other statements, either of a written or oral nature, that alter any specification or other term or condition of this RFP. Offerors will be notified in the same manner as indicated above regarding any modifications to this RFP.