Merchant Services/Payment Gateway

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is seeking a vendor to provide comprehensive merchant services and payment gateway solutions through a competitive sealed bidding process (Invitation for Bid B20001350). The procurement covers credit/debit card processing services across three HDOA locations on Oahu, including point-of-sale, mobile, and website payment capabilities. The selected vendor must provide a PCI DSS compliant gateway capable of accepting all major credit card brands, with 24/7 technical support and a physical presence or financial institution association in Hawaii. Key requirements include processing an estimated 8,000 transactions totaling approximately $2.8 million annually, with the ability to handle online, in-location, and international transactions. The contract is initially set for 12 months with an option to extend for an additional 12 months, with a proposal submission deadline of March 24, 2020. Vendors must submit detailed pricing information, including percentage-based fees, fixed fees, monthly service fees, and additional charges for services such as chargebacks, authorizations, and card verification.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The procurement documents do not mention incumbent vendors or specify precise budget ranges, though the estimated transaction volume suggests a significant contract value. Bidders must demonstrate capability to integrate with existing HDOA infrastructure and provide comprehensive payment processing solutions across multiple transaction types. The vendor will be required to provide monthly reporting on transactions and fees for each HDOA branch, maintain PCI compliance, and promptly address any service deficiencies. Payment terms indicate the HDOA will have 30 days to process invoices after receipt. Vendors must comply with Hawaii's General Conditions for government contracts as outlined in the Chapter 103D documentation, which includes provisions for independent contractor status, nondiscrimination, conflict of interest management, and other standard contractual requirements.