SNAP EBT Planning Consultant

Position Summary

The SNAP EBT Planning Consultant will guide a state agency through every phase of its SNAP EBT re-procurement. This includes updating the RFP, designing the bid evaluation process, writing the Implementation Advance Planning Documents (IAPD) and getting them approved by USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), and leading system testing and acceptance testing for the new EBT system. The consultant will build and maintain the project timeline and make sure all work meets USDA/FNS deadlines and requirements.

Key Responsibilities

RFP development and federal compliance

• Review the state’s SNAP EBT Services RFP and recommend changes so it meets current federal requirements. These include SNAP EBT regulations, FNS policy guidance, the Agricultural Act of 2018 (Farm Bill) and later amendments, and the Quest Operating Rules.
• Research and write the business and technical requirements for the RFP, and prepare updated drafts.
• Join project calls with USDA/FNS about the re-procurement and the Advance Planning Document (APD).
• Help the agency evaluate and carry out USDA/FNS recommendations and changes.

Proposal evaluation planning

• Write a full evaluation plan for scoring RFP responses, covering technical and cost evaluation criteria, the pricing evaluation structure, and scoring guidelines that follow state procurement requirements.
• Create training materials and train the evaluation team, on-site or virtually.
• Prepare scoring sheets and summary documents that support the final award decision.

Advance Planning Documents (IAPD/IAPDU)

• Write the Implementation Advance Planning Document, submit it to USDA/FNS, and see it through approval, following the current FNS Handbook 901 and all applicable federal regulations.
• Prepare all required IAPD sections: transmittal letter, executive summary, functional requirements, general system design, capacity study, project management plan and resource requirements, security planning, training plan, schedule of activities and milestones, cost allocation plan, and proposed budget.
• Prepare IAPD Updates (IAPDU) when needed, for example after funding changes, schedule delays of more than 120 days, or changes in procurement method, cost allocation, scope, or system architecture.

Test administration and System Acceptance Testing (SAT)

• Write and manage a full test plan following FNS Handbook 901, Section 3.5.24. It should cover unit, integration, performance, end-to-end, user acceptance, regression, and fail-safe testing.
• Define test team roles, test databases, test cases and scripts, test schedules, acceptance procedures, Go/No-Go criteria, and contingency plans for returning to the legacy system.
• Coordinate all testing with the EBT processor.
• Lead System Acceptance Testing, covering functional requirements, security, recovery, system controls, and “what-if” scenarios.
• Train state staff to perform user acceptance testing. Attend test walk-throughs, review interface specifications and outputs, and take part in regression testing.
• Write the evaluation of test results and submit it to USDA/FNS for review and approval.

Project management

• Build and maintain the overall project timeline through 2029.
• Make sure all deliverables meet USDA/FNS deadlines and approval requirements.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in SNAP, EBT, or public assistance program technology, consulting, or project management
• Hands-on SNAP EBT experience, such as an EBT procurement, re-procurement, processor transition, or conversion for a state agency
• Experience writing Advance Planning Documents (APD, IAPD, or IAPDU) under FNS Handbook 901, with documents submitted to and approved by USDA/FNS
• Working knowledge of SNAP EBT federal regulations, the 2018 Farm Bill, and the Quest Operating Rules
• Experience writing or evaluating government RFPs, including evaluation criteria and scoring
• Experience leading system testing and user acceptance testing on large government IT systems
• Strong technical writing skills, and the ability to produce federal submission documents
• Ability to travel to Pierre, South Dakota as required
• Available to start about January 2027 and commit to the full 29-month engagement
• Ability to provide professional references from previous SNAP EBT or government engagements

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with USDA/FNS regional or national office staff
• Experience with more than one state EBT procurement
• Background as a former state EBT or SNAP program manager, or as an EBT consultant
• Familiarity with EBT processor operations, card management, and retailer and ATM integration
• Experience with cost allocation plans and federal funding for human services systems
• Experience with Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) or other EBT-delivered programs
• PMP, CBAP, or ISTQB certification
• Experience training state staff and evaluation committees

Key Skills

SNAP EBT · USDA FNS · FNS Handbook 901 · APD / IAPD / IAPDU · Quest Operating Rules · Farm Bill · RFP Development · Procurement Evaluation · System Acceptance Testing (SAT) · UAT · Test Planning · Go/No-Go Criteria · Cost Allocation · Government Consulting · Technical Writing · Project Management

What We Offer

• Long-term contract of about 29 months on a high-impact public program
• Mostly remote work
• Travel reimbursed separately at state rates
• Work on a program that delivers food assistance to families who need it

Technology Digest, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Pay: From $100.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Do you have hands-on experience with a state SNAP EBT procurement, re-procurement, or EBT processor transition?
• Have you written or co-written an Advance Planning Document (APD, IAPD, or IAPDU) that was submitted to USDA/FNS?
• How many years of SNAP, EBT, or public assistance program experience do you have?
• Have you led system testing or user acceptance testing (UAT) for a government IT system?
• Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Pierre, SD 57501