By Patrick A. Kelley, SNAP Program Analyst
This is an important announcement regarding the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Online Purchasing Pilot Request for Volunteers (RFV) published on September 15, 2016.
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is pleased to announce that we have received confirmation that additional Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Host Processors intend to make the system adjustments necessary to conduct online EBT transactions in 2017, and applicants for the Online Purchasing Pilot may now indicate an interest in conducting the Pilot in most States* on their Letter of Intent (LOI) to apply.
While we work to update this information in the RFV on our website, please note the following changes:
• The deadline for submitting a LOI to apply for the Pilot has been extended until Friday, October 7, 2016.
• A tentative conference call to discuss questions with potential applicants will be held in mid-October; specific time and date and further details will follow.
• The deadline for submitting a completed application to participate in the Pilot has been extended until Monday, November 7, 2016.
• All other deadlines prescribed in the RFV remain the same.
Those who have already submitted the LOI may take this opportunity to resubmit their entry to include additional States or confirm their original response, by 5:00 PM EST on Friday, October 7, 2016. Please continue to refer to the RFV for instructions and requirements pertaining to the Online Purchasing Pilot.
*excluding the following States that will be converting from their current EBT Processor to a new EBT processor during the pilot implementation timeframe: Alaska, California, Hawaii, North Carolina, Tennessee, US Virgin Islands, West Virginia, Wisconsin
