Request for Information (RFI) - Purchasing Card (P-Card) Program and Payment Solutions

The City of Pontiac is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from qualified financial institutions and payment solution providers regarding Purchasing Card (P-Card) programs and related commercial payment solutions. The information received will assist the City in evaluating available technologies, implementation approaches, pricing models, security features, reporting capabilities, and industry best practices to support the development of a future competitive solicitation.

The City is interested in commercially available solutions that include, but are not limited to, purchasing cards, virtual payment capabilities, accounts payable payment solutions, financial system integration, reporting and analytics, fraud prevention, mobile functionality, customer support, and rebate programs.

This RFI is issued solely for market research and planning purposes. Responses will be used to better understand available solutions and inform the scope, technical requirements, and evaluation criteria of a future procurement. The City will not award a contract as a result of this RFI, and participation is not a prerequisite for responding to any future solicitation.

The City of Pontiac is a full-service municipal government serving approximately 62,000 residents within a 20-square-mile area in Oakland County, Michigan. Operating under a Home Rule Charter, as amended, the City provides a broad range of municipal services through departments including Finance, Public Works, Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, and General Administration.

The City manages governmental, special revenue, capital, internal service, and custodial funds. The City's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, and financial transactions are maintained in BS&A Software, the City's enterprise resource planning (ERP) and financial management system. The Finance Department, which oversees Accounting, Treasury, Income Tax, Purchasing, and Payroll, supports the City's financial operations through sound fiscal management, effective internal controls, and efficient procurement and payment processes.

Current Purchasing Card (P-Card) Program

The City currently utilizes a Purchasing Card (P-Card) program to facilitate authorized business-related purchases, reduce administrative effort, and improve operational efficiency across multiple departments. The program is administered through the City's current banking provider and is governed by the City's Purchasing Card Policy and established internal controls.

As the City's operational needs and payment technologies continue to evolve, the City is evaluating opportunities to modernize and enhance its commercial payment program. The City is particularly interested in solutions that:

• Enhance program technology, reporting capabilities, and user experience.
• Strengthen fraud prevention, security controls, and compliance features.
• Improve administrative efficiency through workflow automation and financial system integration.
• Maximize rebate opportunities and overall program value.
• Reduce costs associated with payment processing and program administration.
• Expand payment capabilities to support virtual cards, Accounts Payable (AP), and supplier payments, where appropriate.
• Provide responsive implementation, training, customer support, and ongoing account management.
• Deliver a scalable and flexible solution capable of supporting the City's evolving operational and financial needs.

Information obtained through this RFI will assist the City in evaluating available technologies, implementation approaches, and industry best practices as it considers future enhancements to its Purchasing Card program.