USDA, Food and Consumer Service, Contract Management Branch, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 914, Alexandria, VA 22302

B -- STUDY OF WIC PARTICIPANT AND PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS 1998 AND 2000 SOL RFP FCS-97-005SUZ DUE 052297 POC Suzanne A. Pastura (703) 305-2991 The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Service (FCS), plans to award a contract for approximately four and a half years to conduct the biennial WIC Participatnt and Program Characteristics studies which are based on management information systems of WIC State Agencies. Data analyses for PC 98 and PC 2000 will build upon the WIC Minimum Data Set and Supplemental data items which are collected through ongoing management information systems of WIC State agencies. PC98 and PC2000 will also include State WIC Agency and local agency survey components. The local agency survey will collect information on local WIC program characteristics including operating features related to nutrition services, nutrition education and counseling, and referrals. The contractor shall examine patterns in the data and perform analyses which could reveal trends in Minimum Data Set items when examined in conjunction with previous PC study data. The contractor shall explore the potential for linking data from State or local agencies and participant characteristics in order to determine potential relationships between agency services and patterns in participation. The study will require specialists in survey design and implementation, data base construction and quality control of data, as well as ability to communicate with State and local agencies which operate the WIC Program. Knowledge of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is desirable. Offers will be due on or about May 22, 1997. Awards will be determined competitively by FCS. All qualified organizations interested in receiving a copy of the Request for Proposal when it is issued MUST submit their requests in writing and MUST include four (4) self-addressed mailing labels. TELEPHONIC AND DATA FAXED REQUESTS WILL NOT BE HONORED. (0084)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0011 19970327\B-0002.SOL)