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State Plan Checklist - FOOD DELIVERY 8/14/2026 Page 19

15. Briefly describe how the State agency considers participant access by geographic area when establishing competitive price criteria and maximum allowable reimbursement levels.

16. Are vendors assigned to peer groups for selection / authorization? The State agency has an exemption to use an alternative cost containment system. Yes No

17. Are vendors assigned to peer groups for reimbursement purposes? The State agency has an exemption to use an alternative cost containment system. Yes No 18. Peer groups are based on the following: The State agency has an exemption to use an alternative cost containment system. [ ] WIC sales volume [ ] Gross food sales [X] Number of cash registers [ ] Square footage [X] Type of Store [ ] Location of store [ ] Local agency service area [ ] City, county, or regional divisions [ ] Urban, suburban, rural, island [ ] ZIP codes [ ] Other

Alabama WIC does not change the competitive price criteria or maximum allowable reimbursement levels based on participant access. AL WIC is currently gathering data to request an exemption for the geographic component of peer groups.