Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: George Tablack
Department: Finance and Administrative Services Division: Accounting
Information
Requested Action
title
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE Director of Purchasing to negotiate and execute an amendment to extend the Participation Agreement between Bank of America National Association, Bank of America Merchant Services, LLC and Broward County, Contract Number W2115694G1, not to exceed an additional six months.
body
Why Action is Necessary
In accordance with Broward County Procurement Code Section 21.53.(a), Duration of Contracts, Board approval is required for contract durations greater than five years, inclusive of all terms provided for in the contract.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides County agencies the ability to continue accepting credit and debit cards in their payment operations.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE ACCOUNTING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
Broward County is a participant on the State of Florida Master Services Contract No. TR175 with Bank of America for the acceptance of credit cards, charge of debit cards, and electronic payments (merchant services). The participation is facilitated through an execution of a Participation Agreement between Bank of America and Broward County based on the State of Florida contract. The Participation Agreement was executed by the Director of Purchasing on June 6, 2018; no contract may be renewed or extended beyond five years (inclusive of all terms) without Board approval.
The County’s Participation Agreement for merchant services agreement with Bank of America currently expires on June 11, 2023. It is expected that the underlying State of Florida contract will be extended before that expiration date. This item would authorize an extension of the County’s Participation Agreement for up to six months if the State of Florida contract is extended.
On January 24, 2023 (Item No. 35), the Board approved a First Amendment to Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., for Master Banking Services, RFP No. GEN2118504P1, for the addition of merchant services and Wells Fargo Merchant Services, L.L.C. and related terms and conditions. The migration to the new merchant services will not be completed prior to the current June 11, 2023 expiration of the agreement with Bank of America. The migration is expected to be completed in less than six months.
There are approximately 20 card-accepting agencies across the County. The amendment allows the County to continue to provide the needed services under the existing pricing, terms and conditions.
Source of Additional Information
William O’Reilly, Director, Accounting Division, (954) 357-7212
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Merchant service fees are paid from the appropriate charge points in the agency operating budget upon monthly credit card transaction reconciliation.