The Office of System Integration’s Electronic Benefit Transfer Services contract could be awarded as soon as the calendar turns in 2016.
A public cost opening occurred Friday, Nov. 13, at OSI’s office in Natomas. The notice of intent to award is scheduled for Dec. 1, according to an updated RFP released in early October. The contract award date is slated for Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.
Like most states, California contracts with service providers to operate and administer its EBT system that manages food and cash benefits for 2.1 million recipients. These programs are called CalFresh and CalWorks, respectively.
In the scope of work, the new contractor will be tasked with adding the Women, Infants and Children nutritional benefits program into the electronic EBT system – called eWIC – and work in tandem with the contractor that will implement a new eWIC management information system (MIS).
“Operating EBT in California is significantly different compared to other states,” OSI says in the bid document. “California’s Statewide Automated Welfare System (SAWS) is comprised of three eligibility system consortia, which are operated by the counties. The eligibility system consortia determine eligibility, calculate benefits, and provide integrated case management for California’s welfare programs. Most other states have only one automated eligibility system.”
Xerox is the incumbent contractor. The contract length for this bid opportunity will be between seven and 10 years.
