The City of Lubbock issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a comprehensive merchant card services program for three (3) years with the option to renew for successive one-year periods. The City is looking for a merchant card services program that utilizes advanced technology to serve the City’s current needs and anticipated needs. In addition, the City is seeking a firm that can provide the technology required to efficiently process and reconcile credit and debit card activities. The City currently receives approximately 66,000 credit and debit card transactions per year, which translates to roughly $5.9 million per year. The City anticipates these amounts to increase as more and more customers use credit and debit cards and the Internet to transact business. The City currently has 28 credit card terminals throughout City departments. City staff reached out to the current merchant service provider, Wells Fargo Merchant Services for a proposal, but Wells Fargo chose not to submit a proposal. The evaluation committee rated the proposals on the following five areas:
1. The ability to deposit funds next day, if not sooner, to the City’s financial institution (10 pts)
2. Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the project (10 pts)
3. Substantial successful experience in completing similar projects (10 pts)
4. Cost (35 pts)
5. Substantial representation regarding the firm’s qualifications, demonstration of customer service appropriate to this project, and the reporting capabilities and professional competence of the proposer and assigned personnel (35 pts)
In response to RFP 22-16820-MA, proposals were received from the following 5 firms and ranked as follows:
Proposer |
Points |
JP Morgan Chase |
72.5 points |
First American Deluxe |
63.5 points |
CSG Forte Payments, Inc. |
28.5 points |
Gila, LLC d/b/a MSB a Navient Company |
27.5 points |
Comprise Technologies |
22.5 points |
During the evaluation process, City staff determined all proposals except for JPM Morgan Chase and First American by Deluxe, were selling software and customization of a billing system. The RFP did not request software or a billing system for processing merchant cards. The proposals other than JP Morgan Chase did not demonstrate knowledge or experience with the project that the City requested. JP Morgan Chase is able to deposit funds next day. In addition, they demonstrated a better understanding of the project. City staff recommends approval by the City Council of the letter agreement with JP Morgan Chase, due to their customer service and representation. |