Provision of Banking and Merchant Card Services

The Council is seeking to appoint a suitable Bank to provide the Provision of Banking Services and Merchant Card Services to the Council.

The Council is seeking to appoint a suitable Bank provider for its Corporate Banking Services to include banking and merchant card services. The Council is seeking to award a single contract covering the full range of services as

clearly detailed within the ITT.

The contract is for a period of five years, with the option to extend for up to a further period of five years extended on an annual basis. The process will be a three stage process consisting of selection, evaluation and preferred bidder stage.

Stage One - Selection stage

This will consist of Pass/Fail questions. Providers will need to pass all questions to proceed to the award stage, Stage Two. Providers shall note that if they fail any of the Pass/Fail criteria with in the selection stage their bids will be excluded from any further part in the process.

Financial Rating

The minimum requirement acceptable to the Council during the tender process and throughout the term of the contract

shall be the investment grade rating of (short-term/ Long-term) F2 / BBB Fitch or equivalent.

The Council shall undertake periodic reviews of the successful providers rating during the term of the contract. If the successful provider falls below the F2 / BBB (Fitch or equivalent) during the term of the contract, the Council shall terminate the contract.

Stage Two – Evaluation stage

The award methodology will be based upon the Most Economical Advantageous Tender submission received utilising a

criteria of Cost and Quality with the following % attributed to each area:

Cost 40% weighting

Quality 60% Weighting, to include specification response, Demonstration / Presentation

The evaluation stage will consist of scored questions. Full details of the evaluation process are available within the ITT.

Stage Three – Preferred Bidder Stage

The Council will commence discussions on the banks Terms and Conditions and any other aspects including but not limited to technical and commercial aspects of the bid, terms and conditions and the length of the contract period which will not exceed ten (10) years.

Social Value is a non scored requirement for this tender but a mandatory requirement.

Full details are in the ITT Additional information: The contract period is for five years with the option to extend up to a further period of five years. The estimated value includes extension options