81 FR 1599 - Request for Information: Software Vendors of State and Local Management Information Systems (MIS) and Other Technology Solutions for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Food and Nutrition Service Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 8 (January 13, 2016)
Food and Nutrition Service
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 8 (January 13, 2016)
| Page Range | 1599-1601 | |
| FR Document | 2016-00504 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 1599-1601] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-00504] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Food and Nutrition Service Request for Information: Software Vendors of State and Local Management Information Systems (MIS) and Other Technology Solutions for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA. ACTION: Notice; Request for information. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This is a request for information from Management Information Systems (MIS) software and hardware vendors and developers (``vendors'') to learn about the functionality of State and School Food Authority National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) data management information systems. It is not a request for proposal and does not commit the Government to issue a solicitation, make an award, or pay any costs associated with responding to this announcement. All submitted information shall remain with the Government and will not be returned. All responses will become part of the public record and will not be held confidential. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information that will inform future data reporting requirements for the Department's oversight and management of NSLP/SBP. The Department is aware that all States and many school districts have installed and implemented MIS or other technology solutions to improve State and local program management. To better understand the availability and implementation of these solutions, USDA is requesting information from vendors about NSLP/SBP data systems they offer and have deployed at the State and local levels. The objectives of this request for information (RFI) are to: 1. Obtain background data to inform later research on State and School Food Authority (SFA) NSLP/SBP data management information systems. 2. Describe the functionality and capabilities of systems currently in use by State agencies and SFAs, or available to States and SFA for purchase. 3. Describe the typical costs of system development, installation, maintenance, and upgrades. 4. Identify which States and SFAs are using particular systems. DATES: To be assured of consideration, written comments must be submitted or postmarked on or before March 14, 2016. [[Page 1600]] ADDRESSES: The Food and Nutrition Service, USDA, invites the submission of the requested information through one of the following methods:Preferred method: Submit information through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submissions. Mail: Submissions should be addressed to Dennis Ranalli, Social Science Policy Analyst, Office of Policy Support, FNS, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA 22302. Comments may also be emailed to [email protected]. All information properly and timely submitted, using one of the three methods described above, in response to this request for information will be included in the record and will be made available to the public on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov. Please be advised that the substance of the information provided and the identity of the individuals or entities submitting it will be subject to public disclosure. All written comments will be open for public inspection at the FNS office located at 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia, 22302, Room 1014, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday). All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. All comments will be a matter of public record. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Dennis Ranalli at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The current Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) routine data collection requirements for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP) have their roots in the paper and early computer eras and reflect concerns with paperwork and reporting burden. Thus, data collected to administer and monitor these programs is typically reported at the State level, with detailed data collected at the service delivery point (e.g., individual meal transactions, school) often aggregated at one or more levels (e.g., school to SFA to State-level) before being submitted to FNS. Data aggregation results in a significant loss of potentially valuable information that could support administration, monitoring, and policy development. FNS recognizes that, in fact, managing a school food service program is a complex and data intensive operation, and that SFAs collect, generate, and maintain far more data than they report to their State child nutrition agencies. This includes data on costs, revenues, inventories, vendor management, and other business, administrative and regulatory activity. The same is true of State agencies that are responsible for monitoring the work of many SFAs. Some States and SFAs have developed more sophisticated data management systems to manage program data, however there is no comprehensive inventory of NSLP/SBP management information systems (MIS) in use, the number of States and SFAs that use MIS, or the data elements collected to support FNS reporting and general program management. The Review of Child Nutrition Data and Analysis for Program Management project will fill this knowledge gap by fully documenting SFA and State NSLP/SBP management information systems. This baseline ``as is'' review will document overall NSLP/SBP information system design, capabilities, functions, development/replacement and maintenance costs, and typical lifespan. The ``as is'' review is focusing particular attention on NSLP/SBP program management data that are collected or generated at the SFA or State agency levels, but are not required to be reported to FNS on any FNS program report forms. Findings from the RFI and additional review activities will provide a baseline for potential improvements to data collection practices and help support future MIS modernization and paperwork reduction efforts. They will also help identify promising and emerging practices and define models for MIS at both the state and local SFA levels. FNS requests that vendors respond in detail to the items below. Vendors are encouraged to provide any material that addresses the information requested or any other information that may be pertinent. Additional references or links to materials are welcome. I. Vendor Information a. Name of Company b. Address and Telephone Number c. Vendor Representative, contact number and email address II. Vendor Overview & Experience Briefly describe your company, your products and services, history, and ownership; for example: a. Web site address b. Main product/services c. Main market/customers d. Company location(s) e. Product deployment sites/school systems 1. Number of School District/schools currently deployed 2. Average/typical size of the school system 3. Year of first deployment 4. Years serving schools III. Product Information a. List and describe the core modules provided by your product. For example: 1. Point of Sale/Service (POS) 2. Prepayment system(s) for parents 3. Nutrient Analysis and Menu Planning 4. Inventory Management 5. Purchasing/Vendor Management 6. Production Records 7. Financial Management 8. Free and Reduced-Price Meals Applications Scanning paper applications Processing On-line applications Making eligibility determinations Creating benefit issuance documents Conducting verification 9. Direct Certification SNAP recipients Extended SNAP household members Other direct certification--homeless, migrant, foster 10. Meal counting and claiming 11. Administrative Review 12. Reporting 13. Any other not listed above b. Describe the capabilities and reporting functionalities of your product. c. Describe your platform--site-based, central office w/satellite, cloud-based, etc. d. For SFAs, are POS terminals proprietary or third-party? e. Is your system a commercial off the shelf (COTS) product with application in multiple industry segments or school nutrition specific? f. Does your firm rely on any `third party software products/ systems' for implementation and/or operation? g. Are any additional licenses required from `third party sources' to utilize your product? h. What is your product's ability to interface with other vendor systems? What level of customization is available? i. List the minimum and recommended hardware requirements to implement and utilize your product at each level of installation. j. Describe the interface capabilities between your product and various within-district student data base systems. k. Describe the interface capabilities between your product and State agency systems. [[Page 1601]] l. Does your system adhere to Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) standards? m. Please provide a list of data elements captured/stored by your product. For example: 1. Name of the data element 2. Description of the data element 3. Possible values n. Describe the processes/procedures/steps associated with planning, installation, setup, data import and conversion, data migration, quality assurance, deployment, and roll-out for your product. IV. Customer Support, Maintenance and Security a. Describe your model for providing customer support, including charge/cost structure (e.g., hours of support, levels of support). b. Describe your incident reporting and tracking systems, and the ability for customer staff to access those systems directly. c. List the types of support access that are available (web, email, chat, telephone etc.). d. Describe the communication and escalation processes/protocols in the event of failure, network outages, degraded service, and/or exceeded planned utilization. e. Describe your replication, archival and retrieval processes, including your disaster recovery model. f. Describe the warranty and maintenance plan(s) for your product. Have there been recent upgrades or updates to your product? How often do you typically develop and release upgrades? g. Is your support agreement integrated into the license agreement? h. Describe your understanding and system approach to privacy rules, specifically those related to children and students (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, etc.). i. Describe your process for upgrading your product to meet federal and state regulations. j. Does your product support access through smartphones, tablets, laptops etc.? V. Pricing a. Describe your pricing models relevant to each component of your product. b. Is your pricing model based on purchasing the entire product or individual module(s), or is it based on usage/users? c. Describe the upgrade process and cost to upgrade. d. List any additional pricing/cost information that would be useful to evaluate the affordability of the product. VI. Training a. What type of technical training do you provide? b. Describe your product's documentation and in-program help? Audrey Rowe, Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service. [FR Doc. 2016-00504 Filed 1-12-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-30-P
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• Proposals for new and/or revision of meetings, and other types of information DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
food additive provisions (replies to CL that could affect or would be of interest
2015/12–FA) to our constituents and stakeholders. Food and Nutrition Service
• Proposed draft revision of food The Update is available on the FSIS
category 01.1 ‘‘Milk and dairy-based Request for Information: Software
Web page. Through the Web page, FSIS
drinks’’ and its sub-categories Vendors of State and Local
is able to provide information to a much
• Discussion paper on the use of broader, more diverse audience. In
Management Information Systems
specific food additives in the (MIS) and Other Technology Solutions
addition, FSIS offers an email for the National School Lunch and
production of wine
subscription service which provides
• Proposed draft revision to the School Breakfast Programs
International Numbering System (INS) automatic and customized access to
selected food safety news and AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service
for Food Additives (CAC/GL 36–1989) (FNS), USDA.
• Proposals for additions and changes information. This service is available at:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/subscribe. ACTION: Notice; Request for information.
to the Priority List of Substances
proposed for evaluation by JECFA Options range from recalls to export SUMMARY: This is a request for
(replies to CL 2015/11–FA) information, regulations, directives, and information from Management
• Information on commercial use of: notices. Customers can add or delete Information Systems (MIS) software and
Potassium hydrogen sulfate (INS subscriptions themselves, and have the hardware vendors and developers
515(ii)), sodium sorbates (INS 201) option to password protect their (‘‘vendors’’) to learn about the
and calcium hydrogen sulfite (INS accounts. functionality of State and School Food
227) (replies to CL 2015/9–FA Part C, Authority National School Lunch and
point 9) USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
School Breakfast Program (NSLP/SBP)
• Discussion paper on secondary No agency, officer, or employee of the data management information systems.
additives It is not a request for proposal and does
• Proposed draft revision of Section USDA shall, on the grounds of race,
color, national origin, religion, sex, not commit the Government to issue a
4.1c and 5.1c of the General Standard solicitation, make an award, or pay any
for the Labelling of Food Additives gender identity, sexual orientation,
disability, age, marital status, family/ costs associated with responding to this
When Sold As Such (CODEX STAN announcement. All submitted
107–1981) parental status, income derived from a
information shall remain with the
• Other Business and Future Work public assistance program, or political
Government and will not be returned.
Each issue listed will be fully beliefs, exclude from participation in, All responses will become part of the
described in documents distributed, or deny the benefits of, or subject to public record and will not be held
to be distributed, by the Codex discrimination any person in the United confidential.
Secretariat prior to the meeting. States under any program or activity The United States Department of
Members of the public may access these conducted by the USDA. Agriculture (USDA) is seeking
documents at http:// information that will inform future data
How To File a Complaint of
www.codexalimentarius.org/meetings- reporting requirements for the
Discrimination
reports/detail/en/ Department’s oversight and
?meeting=CCFA&session=48. To file a complaint of discrimination, management of NSLP/SBP. The
complete the USDA Program Department is aware that all States and
Public Meeting
Discrimination Complaint Form, which many school districts have installed and
At the February 16, 2016, public implemented MIS or other technology
may be accessed online at http://
meeting, draft U.S. positions on the solutions to improve State and local
agenda items will be described and www.ocio.usda.gov/sites/default/files/
program management. To better
discussed, and attendees will have the docs/2012/Complain_combined_6_8_
understand the availability and
opportunity to pose questions and offer 12.pdf, or write a letter signed by you implementation of these solutions,
comments. Written comments may be or your authorized representative. USDA is requesting information from
offered at the meeting or sent to the U.S. Send your completed complaint form vendors about NSLP/SBP data systems
Delegate for the 48th Session of the or letter to USDA by mail, fax, or Email: they offer and have deployed at the
CCFA, Dr. Susan Carberry at the Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and local levels.
following address: ccfa@fda.hhs.gov. Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 The objectives of this request for
Written comments should state they information (RFI) are to:
Independence Avenue SW.,
relate to activities of the 48th Session of 1. Obtain background data to inform
Washington, DC 20250–9410. later research on State and School Food
the CCFA.
Fax: (202) 690–7442. Authority (SFA) NSLP/SBP data
Additional Public Notification management information systems.
Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
Public awareness of all segments of 2. Describe the functionality and
rulemaking and policy development is Persons with disabilities who require capabilities of systems currently in use
important. Consequently, FSIS will alternative means for communication by State agencies and SFAs, or available
announce this Federal Register (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) to States and SFA for purchase.
publication on-line through the FSIS should contact USDA’s TARGET Center 3. Describe the typical costs of system
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Web page located at: http:// at (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). development, installation, maintenance,
www.fsis.usda.gov/federal-register . Mary Frances Lowe,
and upgrades.
FSIS also will make copies of this 4. Identify which States and SFAs are
U.S. Manager for Codex Alimentarius. using particular systems.
publication available through the FSIS
Constituent Update, which is used to [FR Doc. 2016–00482 Filed 1–12–16; 8:45 am] DATES: To be assured of consideration,
provide information regarding FSIS BILLING CODE 3410–DM–P written comments must be submitted or
policies, procedures, regulations, postmarked on or before March 14,
Federal Register notices, FSIS public 2016.
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l. Does your system adhere to Schools d. List any additional pricing/cost technological collection techniques or
Interoperability Framework (SIF) information that would be useful to other forms of information technology.
standards? evaluate the affordability of the product. Comments may be sent to Lynnette
m. Please provide a list of data Thomas, Planning & Regulatory Affairs
VI. Training
elements captured/stored by your Office, Office of Policy Support, 3101
product. For example: a. What type of technical training do Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA
1. Name of the data element you provide? 22302. Comments will also be accepted
2. Description of the data element b. Describe your product’s through the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
3. Possible values documentation and in-program help? Go to http://www.regulations.gov, and
n. Describe the processes/procedures/ follow the online instructions for
Audrey Rowe,
steps associated with planning, submitting comments electronically.
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.
installation, setup, data import and All responses to this notice will be
[FR Doc. 2016–00504 Filed 1–12–16; 8:45 am] summarized and included in the request
conversion, data migration, quality
assurance, deployment, and roll-out for
BILLING CODE 3410–30–P for Office of Management and Budget
your product. (OMB) approval. All comments will also
become a matter of public record.
IV. Customer Support, Maintenance DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
and Security Requests for additional information or
Food and Nutrition Service
a. Describe your model for providing copies of this information collection
customer support, including charge/cost Agency Information Collection should be directed to Lynnette Thomas,
structure (e.g., hours of support, levels Activities: Proposed Collection; Planning & Regulatory Affairs Office,
of support). Comment Request—Generic Clearance Office of Policy Support, 3101 Park
b. Describe your incident reporting for the Collection of Qualitative Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302.
and tracking systems, and the ability for Feedback on Agency Service Delivery SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
customer staff to access those systems Title: Generic Clearance for the
AGENCY: Food and Nutrition Service,
directly. Collection of Qualitative Feedback on
USDA.
c. List the types of support access that Agency Service Delivery (Fast Track).
are available (web, email, chat, ACTION: Notice. OMB Number: 0584–NEW.
telephone etc.). Expiration Date: Not Yet Determined.
SUMMARY: The Food and Nutrition
d. Describe the communication and Type of Request: New collection.
Service (FNS), as part of its continuing
escalation processes/protocols in the Abstract: The proposed information
effort to reduce paperwork and
event of failure, network outages, collection activity provides a means to
respondent burden, invites the general
degraded service, and/or exceeded garner qualitative customer and
public to comment on the ‘‘Generic
planned utilization. stakeholder feedback in an efficient and
Clearance for the Collection of
e. Describe your replication, archival timely manner. By qualitative feedback
Qualitative Feedback on Agency Service
and retrieval processes, including your we mean, information that provides
Delivery ’’ for approval under the
disaster recovery model. useful insights on perceptions and
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
f. Describe the warranty and opinions, but are not statistical surveys
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This collection is
maintenance plan(s) for your product. that yield quantitative results that can
being developed as part of a Federal
Have there been recent upgrades or be generalized to the population. This
Government-wide effort to streamline
updates to your product? How often do feedback will, (1) provide insights into
the process for seeking feedback from
you typically develop and release customer or stakeholder perceptions,
the public on service delivery. This
upgrades? experiences and expectations, (2)
notice announces our intent to submit
g. Is your support agreement provide an early warning of issues with
this ‘‘fast track’’ collection to the Office
integrated into the license agreement? service and, (3) focus attention on areas
of Management and Budget (OMB) for
h. Describe your understanding and where communication, training or
approval and to solicit comments on
system approach to privacy rules, changes in operations might improve
specific aspects for the proposed
specifically those related to children delivery of products or services. This
information collection.
and students (Children’s Online Privacy collection will allow for ongoing,
Protection Act, Family Educational DATES: Written comments must be collaborative and actionable
Rights and Privacy Act, etc.). received on or before March 14, 2016. communications between the Agency
i. Describe your process for upgrading ADDRESSES: Comments are invited on: and its customers and stakeholders. It
your product to meet federal and state (1) Whether the proposed collection of will also allow feedback to contribute
regulations. information is necessary for the proper directly to the improvement of program
j. Does your product support access performance of the Agency’s functions, management.
through smartphones, tablets, laptops including whether the information will The solicitation of feedback will target
etc.? have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of areas such as: Timeliness,
the Agency’s estimate of the proposed appropriateness, accuracy of
V. Pricing information collection burden, information, courtesy, efficiency of
a. Describe your pricing models including the validity of the service delivery, and resolution of
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
relevant to each component of your methodology and assumptions used; (3) issues with service delivery. Responses
product. ways to enhance the quality, utility and will be assessed to plan and inform
b. Is your pricing model based on clarity of the information to be efforts to improve or maintain the
purchasing the entire product or collected; and (4) ways to minimize the quality of service offered to the public.
individual module(s), or is it based on burden of the collection of information If this information is not collected, vital
usage/users? on those who are to respond, including feedback from customers and
c. Describe the upgrade process and use of appropriate automated, stakeholders on the Agency’s services
cost to upgrade. electronic, mechanical, or other will be unavailable.
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Document Created: 2016-01-13 01:01:06
Document Modified: 2016-01-13 01:01:06
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; Request for information. | |
| Dates | To be assured of consideration, written comments must be submitted or postmarked on or before March 14, 2016. | |
| Contact | Requests for additional information or copies of this request for information should be directed to Dennis Ranalli at [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 1599 |
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