Description
The USDA Food and Nutrition Administration is seeking a qualified contractor to conduct the third comprehensive scientific review of the WIC food packages. The effort will update the 2017 NASEM review, assess nutritional needs of WIC participants, and produce evidence‑based recommendations for package revisions that are cost‑neutral and implementable nationwide. The work is organized into two phases over a four‑year period, includes convening a 12‑24‑member expert committee, holding at least six committee meetings, two public forums, and multiple site‑visits, and delivering detailed Phase I and Phase II reports, briefings, and a public webinar.
• Conduct literature review, dietary intake analysis, and cost modeling for all WIC food packages.
• Convene expert committee (12‑24 members) and hold ≥ 6 meetings plus ≥ 2 public forums.
• Perform WIC site visits and shopping‑experience visits within the first 8 months.
• Deliver Phase I report (assessment, principles, work plan) by 18 months; Phase II report (final recommendations, cost‑neutral analysis) by 24 months after Phase I.
• Provide quarterly progress reports, briefings for USDA officials and Congress, and a public webinar.
• Supply all data files, analytic code, and documentation for replication.