Receive "Authority to operate" (ATO) for Calfresh Confirm API

[indexing]

The final aspect of the "path to go live" for low-income eligibility in the Benefits application is completing the contracting process with the CA DSS that grants us authority to operate and use the API in production. We've been in the final stages of this process since September of 2023.

I'm creating this issue now to capture official approval when contracting is complete.
cc// @jarrettkrumrei @johnatstate anirban sen @thekaveman

Acceptance Criteria

• CDT completes the contracting process with CA DSS.

What is the definition of done?

• CDT notifies the Benefits team contracting is complete.
• The CalFresh Cardholders enrollment pathway is available in our test environment.
• We can enable the The CalFresh Cardholders enrollment pathway in production for any agency using Benefits.

[indexing]

CDT team escalated this issue to its senior leadership in early August to work with senior leadership at the DSS to bring contracting to completion.

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 8/12, CDT reported contracting was not complete.
cc// @jarrettkrumrei @thekaveman

[indexing]

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 8/21, CDT reported contracting was not complete.

[indexing]

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 8/26, CDT reported contracting was not complete.

CDT and DSS leadership have established a deadline for resolution of contracting for Friday, August 30, 2024.

[thekaveman]

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/9, CDT reported contracting was not complete.

[indexing]

At our weekly check-in on Monday, 9/16, CDT reported contracting was not complete.

However, both CDT and DSS have agreed in principle to sign the now completed contract. CDT will sign first and is in the process of final contract reviews (legal, security, etc.) this week. We anticipate CDT will complete signing in the next couple days and, once complete, will send the contract to DSS for final review and signing. We hope this final step at the DSS proceeds quickly, but we don't have guidance on timeline.