| Date | Type | Memo |
|---|---|---|
| 10-09-2012 : | NEW CONTRACT | Effective October 1, 2012, this contract has been replaced by Contract # 05411. |
| 09-11-2012 : | CONTRACT REBID | Contract #05411 has been awarded to Abbott Nutrition for Milk-Based Infant formula and Mead Johnson for Soy-Based infant formula. The new contracts will take effect on October 1, 2012. Please see contract 05411 for updates regarding contract transition. |
| 06-08-2012 : | CONTRACT REBID | DES is in the process of evaluating bids received under solicitation 05411. A notice of Intent to Award is anticipated to be released the week of June 11th, with an anticipated start date of October 1, 2012 for the new contract. |
| 05-03-2012 : | CONTRACT REBID | This contract expires on 9/30/12 and will be replace by Contract #05411. Bids are now due for the replacement Contract on May 15, 2012. |
| 04-02-2012 : | CONTRACT REBID | Information regarding the rebid of this contract can be found under Contract #05411. Bids are due on April 26, 2012 at 2:00 PM. |
| 11-01-2011 : | CONTRACT REBID | A stakeholder group comprised of WIC and procurement staff from Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and Deleware has been formed. The group is waiting for final approval from WSCA Directors. Pending WSCA approval, the first stakeholder meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2011. Please contact Melissa Cox at 360-407-9412 with any questions you may have regarding this bidding opportunity. |
| 10-14-2011 : | CONTRACT REBID | Participating WIC Agencies- On October 11, representatives from Washington WIC and the Washington Office of State Procurement met by conference call with Abbott Nutrition staff. The call was to discuss the allowable contract extension of WSCA WIC Infant Formula Rebate Contract to carry the current contract through September 30, 2013. Unfortunately, Abbott Nutrition announced on this call that they have opted not to exercise the remaining one year contract extension. Therefore, our contract with Abbott Nutrition will end September 30, 2012. Abbott Nutrition stated this is “purely a business decision to not accept the extension option” as increases in commodity prices have affected Abbott’s ability to remain profitable under the current contract rebate structure. This is their choice under the contract. We were anticipating a twelve month extension, and this decision by Abbott came as quite a shock. Under our assumption we would have had one year to obtain bids and establish a new contract and a 9-12 month period for participating states to transition to the new rebate structure. In light of this new information, we immediately began exploring potential courses of action to speed up the process. Here is our plan so far: Step 1: The WSCA WIC Infant Formula Rebate Sourcing Team will develop a compressed rebid timeline to ensure a new contract implemented by October 1, 2012, when the current contract will expire. The new timeline will allow at least four months of transition for states. Step 2: We will attempt to negotiate a 120 day extension of the current contract with Abbott Nutrition, to stretch the limited time available for the bidding and transition processes. This requires approval from USDA HQ, but a WIC state has recently been granted this option. If successful, this option increases the states transition time to 7-8 months. We are continuing to collect information, discuss options, and refine timelines. We will communicate with you again next week after we have formalized our plan and reviewed it with USDA. If you have suggestions or concerns, please email your comments to Sheryl Pickering at Sheryl.pickering@doh.wa.gov no later than Tuesday, October 18, 2011. |
| 10-03-2011 : | CONTRACT REBID | Stakeholder group is being formed as this contract is being prepared for the rebid process. The current contract expires on September 30, 2012. |
| 08-31-2011 : | PRICE ADJUSTMENT | Posted wholesale price increases effective September 1, 2011. Please see the contract information page for more information/adjusted rebate amounts. |
| 07-22-2011 : | CONTRACT CHANGE | Beginning in September 2011, Abbott will shipping product with higher levels of Vitamin D, per recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Products with this minor formulation change will begin shipping via the following timeline: Powder: September 2011 RTF: October 2011 CL: November 2011 Please note that this formulation change only impacts Similac Advance Products. |
| 05-27-2011 : | CONTRACT STATUS | REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALLED PRODUCT- Sheryl Pickering sent out an email today to all participating WSCA States with an update on the reimbursement/return process for recalled formula. A copy of the information contained in the email follows: This message provides information on how to begin your agency's reimbursement of the returned recall formula with Abbott Nutrition. One of the WIC Directors requested a conference call be set up with Abbott Nutrition staff to discuss the reimbursement plan for the recalled formula that was returned by state agencies. After communicating with Kori Stenzel, Abbott Nutrition, she shared with me about how all the states handled the recall differently and it would be better/easier for everyone to do it individually. It made sense. Melissa Cox and/or I are available to participate in the phone call with Abbott Nutrition, please let us know and we will join the call. The reimbursement process for the returned recall formula is the first for all us. As you work on the reimbursement process with your fiscal staff and Abbott Nutrition's fiscal staff, please share any comments or suggestions with Melissa and I. This informatin will help us in the future. Abbott Nutrition is still seeing some returns of recall formula trickling in and would prefer to make one adjustment. So, when you are confident you have returned all the product that you intend to return and are ready to reconcile, then, please contact Shanin Bechstein (Abbott Nutrition's Fiscal Analyst) directly to begin the reconciliation process for your state agency. Shanin emailed me that he will run a report on the total returned/destroyed formula from your state agency - the report will show all the product that was returned by your agency. But, he also said that if the state agency disposed of any product themselves, he will need to add those units to the overall count. So, if you are done sending back any recalled formula then, please email Shanin directly at shanin.bechstein@abbott.com to begin the reimbursement process. The first step for him when you contact him, he will start to work on the report. If you can contact your local agencies to see if any of the recalled product was disposed by them and the amount. If your agencies did not dispose any recalled formula, let him know. Shanin wants to make sure he has all the information captured or accounted for. Once he has a final report, you and your fiscal staff will work with Shanin on the reimbursement process. Update on additional rebate for Similac Sensitive for Spit Up in the Ready-to-Feed formula. The additional rebate was extended to June in March and now Kori has shared that it will be extended through the end of September. Shanin Bechstein will be sending another updated pricing sheet before the end of May. If you did not receive a copy of the one sent in March, please let me know and I will send it to you. Please note, in the March 17th update, there was an error in it. The second bullet should have read "Temporary WIC rebate increase on Ready-to-Feed Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up. |
| 05-19-2011 : | CONTRACT STATUS | Abbott has announced that they will continue to offer an additional rebate on Similac Sensitive for Spit Up through the month of September due to continued product shortages. Updated pricing should be coming out in a week or so and will be shared with participating WSCA states. |
| 03-17-2011 : | CONTRACT STATUS | Just received notification from Abbott that there is a supply shortage of Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up in powder form only. Ready to Feed formula is available and Abbott has agreed to the following: 1) Temporary price reduction at retail of Ready to Feed Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up to offer consumers the same price per feeding as powder. 2) Temporary WIC rebate reduction on Ready to Feed Similac Sensitive for Spit Up. 3) Overnight Ready to Feed Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up product to your local WIC agency if a participant cannot find the product at retail in their immediate geography. Please contact Melissa Cox at 360-902-7439 if you continue to experience unresolved issues with this shortage. |
| 01-27-2011 : | Abbott continues to have shortages in some retail markets for contract powder formula. The following correspondence was released to WIC Agencies on 1-25-2011: "We continue to work diligently towards returning full powder distribution to the retail market, but are currently experiencing shortages on Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up powder. Please continue to issue Ready-To-Feed in the 1-QT container to your participants through the month of March and begin to issue powder vouchers in the month of April. Abbott will continue the temporary price reduction at retail on Similac Sensitive for Spit-Up Ready-To-Feed in 1-QT containers so that it is comparable to the per ounce price of powder formula through March. Abbott will also overnight Ready-To-Feed Similac Sensitive for Spit-UpTM product to your local WIC agency if a participant cannot find the product at retail in their immediate geography. Thank you for your continued partnership. Please contact Faith Davis at (614) 624-3718 for additional information or assistance on shipping product." | |
| 10-06-2010 : | On September 22, 2010, Abbott issued a voluntary recall for certain Similac powder infant formulas identified by lot number. Each state has developed their own internal protocols for how WIC clients will exchange the recalled product. Please click on the following link to the Washington State Department of Health website for more detailed information on this recall. http://www.doh.wa.gov/Publicat/2010_news/10-147.htm Abbott also has information regarding the recall on their website- http://www.abbott.com/global/url/pressRelease/en_US/60.5:5/Press_Release_0900.htm | |
| 02-23-2010 : | Updated CCI to replace Roz Knox with Melissa Cox as the Contracts Specialist. | |
| 01-05-2010 : | Abbott Nutrition notified DOH Sheral Pickering about holding individual conference calls with each of the WSCA State WIC Agencies in January 2010, just as they were held last January. For the January 2010 conference calls, will be headed up by Sheral Pickering. The purposes of the call with each state agency will be for us to: - Learn and discuss Abbott Nutrition 2010 updates that will impact the WIC Program. - Discuss any questions/concerns/needs that each state agency may have. - Discuss any questions/needs on rebate invoices or back-up tapes. Their financial manager (Shanin Bechstein) will also participate on these calls. | |
| 12-16-2009 : | Attended the WSCA Cooperative Development Conference to discuss all WSCA contracts lead by Washington State. The Infant Formula contract is on track with the most recent 24 month extension option approved and released. | |
| 11-30-2009 : | WSCA directors approved a 24 month extension option leaving one remaining extension opiton leading up to rebid. | |
| 11-25-2009 : | Abbott Ross returned signed contract amendment documents. Washington State to countersign documents for return to Abbott, after management final document review and approval. | |
| 11-12-2009 : | WSCA directors unanimously agreed to extend the WSCA/WIC Infant Formula Contract for the next 24 months with contractor Abbott Ross. Contract extension will become effective; October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2012. Contract Amendment document sent to Abbott Ross today. | |
| 10-14-2009 : | WSCA directors to vote on the contract extension option coming up, effective 9/30/2009. Abbott Ross would like to extend the contract for 24 months vs. 12 months. The matter will be raised at the next WSCA monthly meeting scheduled for November. | |
| 10-07-2009 : | Met with Doug Richins from WSCA to discuss the rebid of the infant formula contract and the breast pump contract rebid. WSCA has requested Washington State pull together a sourcing team to address both rebid opportunities. Notified both Sheryl Pickering, infant formula program contact and Jean O'Leary, breast pump program contact. | |
| 10-07-2009 : | Abbott'd director Dan Vogelhuber's replacement is now Tom Evers. | |
| 10-07-2009 : | Abbott Nutrition meeting scheduled for today to discuss WSCA Infant Formula 12 month contract extension option. | |
| 08-14-2009 : | Mark Koewler has taken a new position within the Abbott company. Shanin Bechstein has accepted the position on the WIC Team and has replaced Mark. Shanin's contact information is as follows: Abbott Nutrition Attn: Shanin Bechstein 3300 Stelzer Rd RP2-2 Columbus, Ohio 43219 Email: shanin.bechstein@abbott.com Direct Line: (614) 624-3493 | |
| 07-09-2009 : | Limited response has been received on the Vendor Report Cards. A follow-up notification will be sent with a new respond deadline of August 15, 2009. | |
| 06-02-2009 : | Reaching the halfway mark on the WSCA/WIC Infant Formula Contract. Requested Vendor Performance Report Cards from all Participating States to get feedback on how the contract is working for them. Report Card deadline is June 18, 2009. | |
| 05-12-2009 : | The National WIC Association (NWA) will hold their 26th Annual Conference - Women, Infants and Children on 5/24/2009 - 5/27/2009 in Nashville, TN. Among the over 1,000 WIC community members who are expected to attend the 2009 Conference are key decision-makers representing the US Department of Agriculture, the 90 state WIC agencies, 2,000 local WIC agencies, and 10,000 WIC clinics from across the nation. | |
| 04-10-2009 : | New Current Contract Information (CCI) issued to all participating states for the WSCA/WIC Infant Formula to reflect both product and rebate changes, effective April 1, 2009. CCI was also posted to the GA website www.ga.wa.gov for review. | |
| 11-06-2008 : | Letter From Abbott Nutrition: Dated October 29, 2008 As you may know from news media reports, the FDA is continuing to review the safety of bisphenol-A (BPA) in food packaging. It is important for patients and consumers to know that the FDA has not recommended any changes in infant feeding practices. The quality and safety of Abbott products is always our top priority, and millions of infants have safely been fed Abbott infant formulas. Infant formula remains the only safe, high-quality alternative to breast milk for infants who are not breastfed. Because of the public interest surrounding this topic, Abbott has conducted extensive testing of our products for BPA. Each time Abbott infant formulas have been tested for BPA, the results are either undetectable or far below the official safety limits established by regulatory agencies around the world. As part of our ongoing packaging innovation strategy, Abbott is working with our suppliers to evaluate alternative packaging options in response to changing consumer and customer preferences. Our focus in packaging innovation is on thoroughly testing the safety, quality and durability of potential new materials to ensure consumer confidence. The Surgeon General states, “The most important thing parents can do for their babies is ensure that they receive adequate nutrition. While the best source of nutrition for babies is the mother's breast milk, infant formula remains the recommended alternative when breast milk is not an option. | |
| 11-06-2008 : | CCI update sent to participating states with revised formula changes for Similac Ready to Feed; Similiac Go & Grow and Soy formulas. | |
| 09-11-2008 : | Submitted WSCA Usage Reporting for final quarter 2007 and quarters 1 & 2 for 2008 on the WIC Infant Formula contract. | |
| 08-05-2008 : | Received notification of the following formula changes from Abbott: Phase I: August 2008 - 23.2 oz Simple Pac Powder, 32 oz RTF, 2 oz bottles and 34 oz pwdr Club Pack. Phase II: April 2009, 12.9 pwder, concentrated liquid, pwder singles, 2 oz bottles retail and 8 oz RTF retail. | |
| 11-08-2007 : | Abbott Ross submitted a Request for Public Record to view Mead Johnson's data usage reporting to model their reporting for first quarter reporting going forward. Contract is off to a good start. | |
| 10-02-2007 : | New contract 06406 is now effective as of October 1, 2007. Please refer to the new WIC Infant Formula Rebate contract as the direct replacement for contract 09500, which expired as of September 30, 2007. Pleaset the Roz Knox - Contracts Administrator at (360) 902-7489 for all contract concerns pertaining to this contract change. | |
| 08-09-2007 : | Met with Mead Johnson (MJ) representative Kathy Decker, and Department of Health (DOH). MJ discussed transition plan for MJ and presented an infant formula overview. MJ also offered to support the Participating WIC State Agencies as needed through the transition period. | |
| 04-06-2007 : | Ross has completed several implementation meetings with many of the WIC Agencies via meeting or conference call. April meetings are scheduled for the following agencies: Maryland, Kansas, West Virginia and a follow-up to a March meeting is scheduled for Hawaii. There are still remaining states that await a implementation plan appointment. State WIC Agencies, may also follow-up with your local state WIC lead for assistance. | |
| 03-12-2007 : | Ross is meeting with all state WIC Agencies to establish a Transition Plan. Appointments started in Feburary and will continue until all states receive their transition plans. | |
| 02-12-2007 : | Rebate Infant Formula contract awarded to Ross/Abott. New contract will be effective 10/1/2007. Notice of award sent to all participating states. | |
| 12-11-2006 : | Revised bid opening date posted to reflect January 3, 2007. All bidders have been notified. | |
| 11-08-2006 : | The Prebid Conference for IFB 06406 was held November 8th with representatives from Abbott, Mead Johnson, Nestle and WA WIC present. Amendment #1 was reviewed and discussed. Amendment #2 was distributed to the bidders. Per the revised timeline, additional questions are due November 15th and responses will be issued November 22nd. The bid due date is still December 13th. No change to the due date is anticipated. Award of the new contract will be mid January, 2007. | |
| 10-02-2006 : | Contract 06406 is the rebid of Contract 09505 which is due to expire September 30, 2007. The new IFB is currently being reviewed by the Federal Food and Nutritional Services and by OSP management. It is anticipated that the release of the IFB will be in mid October, 2006, followed by a Pre-bid Conference in early November, 2006. The due date for all bids is anticipated for December 13, 2006, 2pm PST. Vendors registered in WEBS for commodity code 8910 will receive email notification of the online availability of the IFB once it is released. | |
| 09-01-2006 : | Contract 06406 is the rebid of Contract 09505 which is due to expire September 30, 2007. The rebid is in the early stages of the process. Several Memorandums of Agreement are still outstanding. Comments on the draft RFP from the WIC participates are still coming in and Attachment 8 with all WIC programs' information is still pending. Release of the RFP to bidders is anticipated for sometime in October, 2006. |
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