Form FNS-698 Profile of Integrity Practices and Procedures (PIPP)

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Complete All Sections
All sections of FNS Form-698 must be completed and submitted each fiscal year. Once submitted, the form can no longer be
changed. A new Form FNS-698 will be available for the next fiscal year.

PROFILE OF INTEGRITY PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES (PIPP)

FORM APPROVED OMB NO. 0584-0401

SECTION 1: Vendor Selection, LImitation and Authorization
FI = Food Instrument
1. The State Agency limits the number of vendors it authorizes:
2. Vendor applicants are notified of authorization within how many days of initial submission?
3. The State Agency contracts with vendors:
Check only one box
On an on-going basis
Annually
Every 2 years
Every 3 years
Other (specify below)
Other time period:
4. The WIC Program uses standard selection criteria for evaluating vendors which include:
Check all that apply
Minimum variety and quantity of authorized supplemental foods
Competitive prices
Lack of a record of criminal conviction or civil judgement for specified activities
Lack of a history of serious vendor violations
Must be SNAP authorized
Not currently disqualified from SNAP
Must provide a variety of food other than WIC supplemental foods
Must obtain infant formula only from the sources on the State Agency's list of infant formula wholesalers,
distributors, and retailers, licensed under State law/regulations and manufactures registered with the Food
and Drug Administration
Must obtain prior approval to provide incentive items to WIC participants if the store derives more than 50
percent of its annual food sales revenue from WIC food instruments
Other (specify below)
Other criteria used:
5. Each vendor's prices are monitored to ensure that redemptions do not rise to a level that would make the vendor
ineligible for authorization:
6. On-site visits are performed to verify information received during the authorization process.
Check only one box
For new vendors only
For new vendors and for previously authorized vendors

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions,
searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control
number. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this
burden, to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, Office of Research, Nutrition and Analysis, Room 1014, Alexandria, VA
22302. Do not return the completed form to this address.
Form FNS-698 (12-08) Previous editions are obsolete

SBU

Electronic Form Version Designed in Adobe 8.1 Version

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SECTION 2: Pre- and Post-Payment Edit Systems
FI = Food Instrument
1. The State uses pre-edit (before payment) or post-edit (after payment) screens for:
Check all that apply
All food instruments

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Not applicable

Sampled food instruments

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Not applicable

Other:
Percent of sampled food instuments:

%

2. The State Agency screens food instruments through a pre-edit (before payment) or a post-edit (after payment)
process to detect the following:
Check all that apply
FI = Food Instrument
No WIC agency validation stamp

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

No vendor stamp

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Illegible vendor stamp

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Invalid vendor stamp

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Counterfeit vendor stamp

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Invalid vendor number

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Canceled vendor number

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Vendor number not on file

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Post date (cashed befor 1st date of use)

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Stale date (cashed after end use date)

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Altered date

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Altered signature

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

No signature/counter signatures

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Mismatch signature

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Excessive dollar amount (fill in amount below)

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Altered dollar amount

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Dollar amount in pencil

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Illegible dollar amount

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

No dollar amount

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

No participant name

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Food instrument submitted late for payment

Pre-Edit

Post-Edit

Does not screen

Excessive dollar amount:

%

Leave blank if State does not screen

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FORM APPROVED OMB NO. 0584-0401

SECTION 3: Food instruments
FI = Food Instrument
1. The food instrument used is:
Check all that apply
CHECK

(a negotiable FI which is processed for payment through the vendor's bank)

VOUCHER

(a non-negotiable FI which is processed for payment through the State Agency)

DRAFT

(a negotiable FI which is processed for payment through a fiscal intermediary)

EBT CARD
2. Food instruments are generally issued:
Check only one box
Monthly
Every 2 months
Every 3 months
Other (specify below)
Other time period:
3. Average number of food instruments:
Enter the average number of food instruments issued per participant per month:

4. The maximum value on the food instruments is hidden:

5. Food instruments are routinely mailed to participants:
Mailed statewide or in certain areas on a routine basis. (Do not check Yes if FI's are routine mailed for inclement weather)

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SECTION 4: Sanctions
FI = Food Instrument
1. The State Agency uses a point system in sanctioning vendors

2. Vendors who are disqualified but who subsequently request an administrative hearing:
Check only one box
May accept WIC food instruments during the appeal process
May not accept WIC food instruments furing the appeal process
Determined on a case-by-case basis
SECTION 5: Vendor Relations
1. The State Agency meets with representatives from retailer associations to resolve problems and solicit ideas on
improvements in WIC program operations.
Check all that apply
At least once a year
Every 2 years
Once every 5 years
Less frequently than every 5 years
As needed
SECTION 6: Compliance Buy Procedure
1. Check below the types of Compliance Buys conducted when a suspect vendor is investigated:
Check all that apply
Trafficking (exchange of FIs for cash)

Always

Sometimes

Never

Sale of non-food items

Always

Sometimes

Never

Sale of unauthorized/excessive food items

Always

Sometimes

Never

Sale of alcohol/tobacco

Always

Sometimes

Never

Safe Buy
All FI foods purchased to see if vendor will overcharge
Partial Buy
Not purchasing all FU foods to see if vendor
will charge for food not purchased

Always

Sometimes

Never

Always

Sometimes

Never

2. Compliance buys are usually conducted by:
Check all that apply
Neighborhood residents or program participants employed by WIC
Local WIC Agency staff
WIC State Agency subdivision/region staff
WIC State Agency staff
Other State Agency staff
Investigators retained on a contract basis (e.g. Pinkerton, Wells Fargo)
Law enforcement bodies

Form FNS-698 (12-08) Previous editions are obsolete

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