Title
Credit Card Merchant Services
Action
Action:
A. Approve the purchase of credit card merchant services from a State contract as authorized by G.S. 143-129(e)(9),
B. Approve a unit price contract with First Data Merchant Services LLC for the purchase of Merchant Card Services for a term of five years under the NC Office of the State Controller contract #500200-000,
C. Authorize the City Manager to extend the contract for additional terms as long as the State contract is in effect, at prices and terms that are the same or more favorable than those offered under the State contract, and
D. Authorize the City Manager to purchase additional services as needed from time to time to optimize the city’s use of the State’s merchant services contract, including contract renewals, revisions, and amendments issued by the State.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
Phil Reiger, General Services
Shelia Anderson, General Services
Explanation
§ Credit card merchant services are used by several city departments across various locations to be able to accept credit and debit card payments.
§ NC General Statute Section 143-129(e)(9) allows local governments to purchase from formally organized cooperative purchasing contracts.
§ A cooperative purchasing agreement results from the consolidation and competitive solicitation of multiple public agency requirements. By aggregating common needs all agencies are able to leverage economies of scale, such as volume discounts, improved terms and conditions, reduced administrative costs, and access to professional and technical expertise.
§ Annual expenditures are estimated to be $3,730,000 in the first year and $3,000,000 in the following years.
Charlotte Business INClusion
This contract is being purchased off an existing State contract and is exempt from the CBI Program.
Fiscal Note
Funding: Various Departments’ Operating Budgets