Commercial Card Services

The Arkansas Department of Transformation and Shared Services, Office of State Procurement, is seeking a statewide commercial card services contract for 107 state agencies, 34 colleges and universities, and two political subdivisions. The procurement aims to establish a comprehensive purchasing card (P-Card) and travel card (T-Card) program that will replace the current program established in 2002. The successful contractor must provide a modern, web-based card management system with robust reporting capabilities, comprehensive fraud protection, and extensive customization options. Key deliverables include managing approximately 6,407 individual P-Card accounts and 3,544 individual travel card accounts, processing an annual purchase volume of $130,603,118, and offering multiple card options including declining balance, emergency response, and centralized travel service cards. Evaluation criteria will be based on a 1,000-point scoring system, considering technical proposal, experience, solution approach, risk management, and an interview, with additional consideration for rebate rates, volume basis points, and prompt payment incentives. The solicitation (S000000392) was posted on April 14, 2025, with proposals due by May 16, 2025, and an anticipated contract start date of August 1, 2025, with a go-live date of January 1, 2026.

The contract opportunity does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises. The current solicitation requires contractors to complete a Contract and Grant Disclosure form, which mandates transparency about relationships with state government officials and potential conflicts of interest. Contractors must disclose any current or former positions held by themselves, spouses, or immediate family members in Arkansas government. The state requires the contractor to provide services at no direct cost, with compensation solely through a rebate structure on card purchases. The estimated total dollar volume expected to pass through the contract is $763 million, though this is not guaranteed. The contract will have an initial two-year term with potential renewals for up to five additional one-year terms, not exceeding a total of seven consecutive years. Prospective contractors must comply with several state-specific requirements, including non-discrimination policies, restrictions on boycotting Israel, and prohibitions on employing illegal immigrants.