Payment Processing Services

The City of Norwalk, located in Fairfield County, Connecticut, is seeking proposals for a comprehensive payment processing services contract for the Tax Collector's office. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #4446, issued on August 12, 2025, solicits qualified financial institutions to provide electronic payment processing services including debit/credit cards, ACH payments, and electronic checks. Key deliverables include web-based payment systems compatible with mobile devices, automatic payment capabilities, email reminders, and integration with platforms like Venmo and PayPal. The contract requires immediate direct deposit of payments into designated city bank accounts and full compatibility with Quality Data Systems (QDS) 5 Tax Collector System and Tyler Technologies MUNIS financial system. Evaluation criteria will assess company qualifications (20%), personnel strength (20%), proposed fees (30%), reporting capabilities (10%), timeline (10%), and references (5%). The procurement timeline includes a question deadline of August 19, 2025, at 2:00 PM, and an electronic submission deadline of August 27, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The initial contract term is two years with potential three one-year extensions, requiring vendor implementation within 14 calendar days of award and full system integration within 45 calendar days.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the documentation. The current payment processing vendor is not named, but the city indicates dissatisfaction with existing service, citing poor problem resolution and inadequate vendor support. The proposed system must integrate with the existing QDS assessment/tax collection software and provide four point-of-sale devices for in-person transactions. Transaction volume data reveals 43,047 total payments in 2024 totaling $72.2 million, with shopping cart transactions representing over $64 million. Current user fees are 2.99% for credit/debit/ATM cards and $1.25 for e-checks, with the city absorbing only 10-cent in-person debit card fees. While a specific budget range is not provided, the city's primary objectives include improved customer service and reduced transaction fees for taxpayers. The successful proposer must demonstrate extensive insurance coverage, including cyber liability insurance, and comply with PCI security standards and data protection requirements.