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File #: 25-3382    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Contract - Renewal Status: Passed
File created: 5/27/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 6/12/2025 Final action: 6/12/2025
Title: Request for approval of a renewal option with First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing Solutions for payment processing services and payment technology solutions for the Toll Road Authority for the period of June 14, 2025 - June 13, 2026, at a cost of $33,000,000, and for the County Clerk to execute any applicable bonds to be received (210111), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature.
Attachments: 1. 25-3382 Job No. 210111 Renewal - First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing Solutions.pdf

Primary Department: Purchasing

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis

 

Secondary Department: Toll Road Authority

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Roberto Trevino

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA

Type of Request: Contract - Renewal

 

Project ID (if applicable): 210111

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing Solutions

MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): N/A

MWBE Current Participation (if applicable):N/A

Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal:  0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature

 

Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):

Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

title

Request for approval of a renewal option with First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing Solutions for payment processing services and payment technology solutions for the Toll Road Authority for the period of June 14, 2025 - June 13, 2026, at a cost of $33,000,000, and for the County Clerk to execute any applicable bonds to be received (210111), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Specialized, Technical, or Unique in Nature.

end

 

Background and Discussion:

In May 2021, Commissioners Court approved the solicitation of a Request for Proposals for Payment Processing Services and Payment Technology Solutions for the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA), Job No. 21/0111. After review of submissions, First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing Solutions was found to be the best value to provide the identified need for HCTRA. On June 14, 2022 the Contract Award to First Data Merchant Services LLC dba Express Merchant Processing was approved in Commissioners Court for these services. These services will document Support Team services, and processes to ensure high-quality and timely delivery of services such as availability of authorizations and transaction file communications, availability of credit card terminal connectivity and support, and responsiveness to Reported Problems, and Responsiveness to User Support Requests. This Addendum to the Agreement will be for one year with four (4) additional one (1) year option years.

 

Expected Impact:

This vendor is required to provide certain products and services to support Harris County Toll Road Authority on Payment Process Services and Payment Technology Solutions that generate a large portion of HCTRA’s main source of revenue. Not having these services in place would risk impacting the revenue stream.

 

Alternative Options:

No other recommended solution for this identified need.

 

County Strategic Plan Goal:  Choose an item.

County Strategic Plan Objective: Choose an item.

Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1):  Choose an item.

Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2):  Choose an item.

Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.

Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.

Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Choose an item.

Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.

 

Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:

 

Prior Court Action (if any):

Date

Agenda Item #

Action Taken

05/11/21

187

Court approval to advertise for Request for Proposals

06/14/22

216

Contract Award

03/26/24

354

1st Renewal

 

Location:

Address (if applicable):

Precinct(s): Countywide

 

Fiscal and Personnel Summary

Service Name

IT Services and Operations

 

 

Current Fiscal Year Cost

Annual Fiscal Cost

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

Recurring Expenses

Funding Sources

 

Existing Budget

 

 

 

 

Revenue - TRA

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Existing Budget

$

$

$

$

Additional Budget Request (Requires Fiscal Review Request Form)

 

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Choose an item.

$

$

$

$

Total Additional Budget Request

$

$

$

$

Total Funding Sources

$

$

$

$

Grants - Proposed Budget (To be filled out by Grants staff only)

 

Labor

Non-Labor

Total

No. of Grant Years

Local Match Source - Existing Budget: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Local Match Source - Additional Budget Request: Choose an item.

$

$

$

 

Grant Funds Applied for/Awarded (Total)

$

$

$

 

Personnel (Fill out section only if requesting new PCNs)

 

Current Position Count for Service

-

-

-

-

Additional Positions Request

-

-

-

-

Total Personnel

-

-

-

-

 

Anticipated Court Date: 6/12/2025

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): 3/26/2026

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or COVID-19 related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: David Patterson, Assistant Director, Tolling Operations; Branndon Parker, Buyer, Purchasing Office,

 

Attachments (if applicable): Letter