Mobile Payment Provider

The City of Cincinnati is seeking proposals for a mobile payment provider to support its on-street parking operations through Request for Proposals (RFP) 265X901121. The procurement aims to secure a comprehensive mobile payment platform capable of processing parking payments via multiple channels including mobile app, text-to-pay, QR code, web application, and interactive voice response (IVR). The selected vendor must provide a hosted, integrated, real-time system that can seamlessly connect with the city's existing parking meter and citation management infrastructure, serving as the merchant of record for credit card transactions. Key deliverables include a mobile payment system with 99.9% uptime, support for digital wallets, robust fraud detection capabilities, comprehensive transaction reporting, and 24/7/365 customer support. The evaluation criteria will assess vendor qualifications across multiple dimensions: experience and expertise (15%), cost and budget (20%), compliance with industry standards (15%), quality assurance (15%), IT compatibility (15%), value-added services (10%), and economic inclusion (10%). Proposals are due by November 13, 2025, with a proposed contract term of five years and potential for two one-year extensions.

The RFP encourages participation from small, minority, and women-owned businesses, with specific economic inclusion considerations built into the evaluation process. Potential offerors must complete several compliance documents, including an Offeror Compliance Form, Affidavit of Accuracy, and a detailed corporate information disclosure. Vendors must demonstrate certification status with the City of Cincinnati, such as Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), or Women Business Enterprise (WBE). The city requires strict adherence to payment card industry standards, including PCI-DSS and EMV compliance, and expects vendors to provide comprehensive marketing materials, signage, and on-site staff training. While a specific contract value is not explicitly stated, the RFP indicates that mobile payments currently represent a significant percentage of meter revenue, suggesting a potentially substantial contract. Vendors must also be prepared to undergo a 30-day post go-live operational test and provide a comprehensive Acceptance Testing Plan as part of the procurement process.