Financial and insurance services

Tender description

The tender is for the provision of merchant services for processing, authorisation and settlement of the University’s debit and credit transactions via all payment channels including customer present (Chip and PIN/contactless payments), customer not present (mail order/telephone order) and online (e-commerce). The tender was split into 3 lots taking into account the wide range of average transaction values (ATVs) that exists across the different payment channels at the University and its subsidiaries. It assumes that a bidder would be unable to submit split pricing for all the activity within Lot 1. Bidders are expected to submit a response to all 3 lots but will only be awarded the contract for a single lot. Lot 1 for all activity has been awarded via the tender process. Lot 2 and 3 were not awarded. This lot is for all merchant services activity for the University and its subsidiaries across all acceptance methods. This tender is for the provision of merchant services for processing, authorisation and settlement of the University’s debit and credit transactions via all payment channels including customer present (Chip and PIN/contactless payments), customer not present (mail order/telephone order) and online (e-commerce). The University is seeking to develop efficient and cost-effective merchant service arrangements which will be capable of meeting future market and technological changes, and which will meet, and often exceed, user expectations. It is looking for a relationship with an organisation which it can be confident will fulfil all the University’s current and future requirements. It is important that any potential acquiring partner can add value through an effective dedicated corporate support team backed up by a proactive education sector specialist relationship manager. The following legal entities are involved in this lot: University of Essex, University of Essex Campus Services Ltd, Wivenhoe House Hotel Ltd.