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WIC Hardware
On this page: Hardware | Inventory | Performance | Clinic Site Planning | Requirements/Agreements
Hardware
- Hardware Update (PDF) - information about hardware and transition from HuBERT to WINNIE.
As of January 2027, with the new Local Agency Grant Agreements, the State will no longer provide hardware to WIC local agencies.
The State will continue to provide minimum specifications for computers to ensure that WINNIE runs effectively. These can currently be found in the Using Locally Owned Computers with WIC (PDF) document.
The State will also provide a list of State tested and approved signature pads, card readers, and scanners on this webpage before local agencies will need to begin purchasing this hardware.
For more information about this transition to locally owned hardware, please refer to the WIC Hardware (PDF) memo provided in the Dec. 3, 2025, Weekly Update.
Inventory
The Minnesota WIC program is required to perform an annual inventory of all hardware provided to our Local Agencies. the next hardware inventory will be performed in Spring 2024. For a current copy of your hardware inventory, please contact the MN Help Desk.
Performance
SPEEDTEST - A quick test to assess connectivity speed. Just press GO to start the test.
Management Information System (MIS) Performance (PDF) - Some factors that should be considered when assessing MIS performance.
Clinic Site Planning
Network and New Site Preparation (PDF) - Initial questions to consider while assessing a site; hardware, data security and bandwidth recommendations; and general information about wireless connectivity.
Requirements/Agreements
Using Locally Owned Computers with WIC (PDF) - There are new minimum hardware specifications required for WINNIE. These new specifications will need to be in place by the time a Local Agency is scheduled to roll-out WINNIE for any agencies using locally-owned or county hardware.
Local Agency Hardware Support Agreement - Any WIC agencies that decide to use locally owned or county hardware must submit an agreement to the State Office for review.
Federal Ban on Purchasing Select IT Items
Since WIC local agencies are grantees of federal funds, legislation took effect in August 2021 that impacts WIC. This legislation bans using federal funds to purchase, as either direct or indirect charges by a grantee, any IT related product(s) or service(s) from the prohibited vendor list outlined in the GSA SmartPay NDAA Section 889 Search. Common products and services that are prohibited from these companies include:
- Android based cell phones (Apple is NOT affected)
- Cell phone networks
- Laptops
- Tablets
- Video surveillance equipment/services
- Wi-fi routers
- Cloud computing services/internet-based cloud computing
This Public Law 115-232-Aug.13, 2018 information is also reflected in the WIC and Peer Grant Agreements, January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2026 and is written as follows: By signing this agreement Grantee certifies that, consistent with Section 889 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, Pub. L. 115-232 (Aug. 13, 2018), Grantee does not and will not use any equipment, system, or service that uses “covered telecommunications equipment or services” (as that term is defined in Section 889 of the Act) as a substantial or essential component of any system or as critical technology as part of any system. Grantee will include this certification as a flow down clause in any contract related to this agreement.