Right now, there are only three manufacturers with contracts to be the primary providers of infant formula through WIC. Increasing transparency and encouraging competition around WIC formula contracts may seem purely bureaucratic, but it’s actually a vital step toward ensuring babies can get the formula they need. By centralizing this information in one place, the WIC formula contract solicitations webpage makes it easy for manufacturers – including those new to WIC – to find and compete for open opportunities. To increase transparency around this contracting process, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service recently launched a webpage – first announced by the Biden-Harris Administration earlier this year – where we will post all open state solicitations for infant formula bids. This process helps save taxpayers an estimated $1.7 billion per year on formula provided through WIC and allow the program to continue to make WIC benefits available to all eligible mothers, infants, and young children. The state agencies solicit bids from manufacturers and award a contract to the one that offers the most cost-effective bid. To help keep program costs manageable, Congress requires WIC state agencies to contract with an infant formula manufacturer to provide discounted formula for purchase with WIC benefits. WIC is a powerful public health program, serving nearly half of all babies born in the country.
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