GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL VM Termination of Vendor Agreement Policy No. VM-100.07 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 3

Page 1 of 4 Revised November 5, 2021

Policy Georgia WIC will immediately terminate the vendor agreement if it determines that the vendor provided false information or made a material omission in connection with its application for authorization or re-authorization. The vendor may re-apply, as a new applicant, no sooner than one (1) year after being terminated from Georgia WIC. To re-apply, the vendor must complete the application process in its entirety.

Purpose To describe the circumstances under which the vendor agreement may be terminated.

Procedures I. Termination upon Notice

Georgia WIC may terminate the vendor agreement for cause after providing at least fifteen (15) days advance written notice. Use of the vendor stamp shall be discontinued fifteen (15) days after the date of the termination notice. Any food instruments submitted for payment after fifteen (15) days of the date of the termination notice will not be paid. All terminations shall remain in effect during the administrative review process.

II. Reasons for termination may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Three Month Termination Period A. Voluntary withdrawal from the WIC program.

B. The decision to sell the store.

C. Two (2) failed attempts by Georgia WIC to contact the vendor during business hours at the vendor’s reported address and telephone number.

D. Failure to enroll in ACH within the time specified.

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL VM Termination of Vendor Agreement Policy No. VM-100.07 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 3

Page 2 of 4 Revised November 5, 2021 Six Month Termination Period E. Failure to provide Georgia WIC with written notice of a change in the vendor’s business within at least twenty-one (21) days in advance of the change (including but is not limited to a change in ownership, name, location, corporate structure, sale or transfer of the business, or cessation of operation.)

F. Determination that the vendor’s SNAP license is invalid or not current.

G. Identification by Georgia WIC of a conflict of interest as defined by applicable state laws, regulations, and policies, between the vendor and Georgia WIC or its local agencies.

H. Failure to meet the selection criteria in effect at the time of assessment at any time throughout the agreement period.

I. Less than $2,000.00 in annual WIC redemptions or not redeeming any WIC food instruments in sixty (60) days, except pharmacies and military commissaries.

J. Vendors that are determined to be an A-50 vendor will be terminated from the program, unless it is determined that termination would result in inadequate participant access.

Nine Month Termination Period K. Failure to provide food instruments, inventory records, food sales or tax information upon request.

L. Reproducing the WIC vendor stamp or the use of a stamping device to redeem vouchers that was not issued by the Georgia WI Program.

Twelve Month Termination Period

M. Use of the WIC acronym, WIC logo, or close facsimiles thereof, in total or in part, in a manner that violates the provisions of this vendor handbook.

N. Accepting food instruments through the mail or mailing any approved formula/medical food directly to the WIC customer.

O. Failure to complete and submit documentation for annual training by the deadline specified by Georgia WIC.

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL VM Termination of Vendor Agreement Policy No. VM-100.07 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 3

Page 3 of 4 Revised November 5, 2021 P. Intentionally providing false information or vendor records, other than information or records provided in connection with a vendor application for authorization or re- authorization.

Q. Failure to allow monitoring by WIC representatives, or harassing or threatening any WIC representative.

R. Forging a participant’s signature on a WIC food instrument.

S. Four (4) failed assessments for non-competitive prices within a 12-month period or less.

T. Providing prohibited incentive items as part of a WIC transaction, in a manner that violates the provisions of this handbook.

U. Violation of any federal or state law or regulation, or terms of the WIC Vendor Agreement or Vendor Handbook not otherwise covered by the sanction system.

III. After being terminated from the Georgia WIC Program, the vendor will not be automatically reinstated as an authorized WIC vendor. The vendor may re-apply, as a new applicant, no sooner than the completion of the specified termination period outlined by Georgia WIC. To re-apply, the vendor must complete the application process in its entirety. See Rules of the Department of Public Health for more information.

Authority § 7 C.F.R. § 246.12 (h)(3)(xvii)

Definitions/Supporting Information

VM-100.01 Vendor Application and Authorization Process VM-100.02 Vendor Selection and Limiting Criteria VM-120.02 Assessment of Sanctions for Vendor Violations and Participant Access Determinations VM-130.02 Vendor Civil Money Penalties VM-140.01 Vendor Appeals

Contact Information

GEORGIA WIC PROGRAM PROCEDURES MANUAL VM Termination of Vendor Agreement Policy No. VM-100.07 Effective Date: October 1, 2016

No. of Pages: 3

Page 4 of 4 Revised November 5, 2021 Georgia Department of Public Health Georgia WIC Program Office of Vendor Management – Vendor Relations and Adm. Unit 2 Peachtree Street, NW, 10th Floor Atlanta, Georgia 30303