12319826R5000 Retailer Investigations

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Retailer Investigations Performance Work Statement -- 1 of 13 -- Retailer Investigations Performance Work Statement RFP#12319826R5000 Contents Project Title ............................................................................................................................................................... 18 General Information ................................................................................................................................................... 18 1.0 Background and Purpose ................................................................................................................................... 18 2.0 Definitions and Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... 20 Contractor Requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 21 3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks ............................................................................................................................ 21 4.0 Deliverable/Schedule ......................................................................................................................................... 23 5.0 Government Furnished....................................................................................................................................... 24 6.0 Travel ............................................................................................................................................................... 24 7.0 Contractor’s Key Personnel ................................................................................................................................. 25 8.0 Security Requirements ....................................................................................................................................... 25 9.0 Data Rights ....................................................................................................................................................... 25 10.0 Performance Requirement Measures ................................................................................................................. 26 11.0 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................................... 28 -- 2 of 13 -- Project Title Retailer Investigations General Information 1.0 Background and Purpose The Contractor is required to supply non-personnel services that deliver support for Retailer Investigations. In accordance with FAR 37.201-2 A personal services contract exist when the Government supervises or controls contractor employees, or appears to do so, as if they were Government employees. This type of contract circumvents civil service laws that require the Government to competitively hire and appoint its own employees. the Government shall not exercise supervision or control over contractor personnel performing these services. All contract personnel shall remain accountable solely to the Contractor, who is fully responsible for the management, direction, and performance of work delivered to the Government. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), Office of Retailer Operations and Compliance (ROC), requires qualified vendors to support the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by providing non‑personal services in support of retailer investigations. The objective of this requirement is to reduce fraud, waste, and program abuse by furnishing personnel capable of performing the following functions: 1) Conduct investigations of retailers identified and reviewed by FNA and suspected of committing SNAP fraud. 2) Recommend approaches for identifying emerging methods of potential retailer fraud and enhancing investigative techniques. 3) During assigned investigations, identify additional retailers within the surrounding area that may be engaged in fraudulent activity and report such information to FNA. 4) Coordinate with state and local partners in the investigation of SNAP fraud when explicitly directed by FNA. These services directly support ROC’s mission to safeguard program integrity and ensure consistent, compliant, and effective investigative operations. FNA administers the nutrition assistance programs of USDA. The mission of FNA is to ensure that children and low‑income families have reliable access to nutritious food and a healthier diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education initiatives. In addition to providing access to nutritious foods, FNA empowers program participants by strengthening their understanding of the relationship between diet, health, and long‑term well‑being. FNA works in close partnership with State agencies in the administration of the SNAP, particularly on the recipient side of program operations. States are responsible for determining most administrative processes related to the distribution of food benefits and participant eligibility, while FNA provides funding to support the majority of State administrative costs. On the retailer side, ROC manages the retailer application and reauthorization process and is responsible for reviewing, prioritizing, and investigating all stores that appear to be violating SNAP retailer regulations. -- 3 of 13 -- Retailer Investigations Performance Work Statement RFP#12319826R5000 Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, the USDA Office of Inspector General (OIG) is granted primary authority to conduct investigative activities within the Department. However, the authority to conduct misdemeanor and limited felony‑level SNAP undercover investigations of authorized firms has been delegated to FNA. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) be…