Planning

Prepaid Cards for Families and Children in Care

  • STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-004346

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-04dd44

Published 10 February 2025, 2:15pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL

Civic Centre

STOKE-ON-TRENT

ST41HH

Contact

Agnes Ashun

Email

agnes.ashun@stoke.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1782237651

Fax

+44 1782237651

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKG23 - Stoke-on-Trent

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Sole trader

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.stoke.gov.uk/

Buyer's address

https://www.stoke.gov.uk/

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Regional or local authority

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Prepaid Cards for Families and Children in Care

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 66100000 - Banking and investment services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is seeking to procure a provider for prepaid cards for use by families and children in care. These cards will replace cash payments and must allow the council to securely manage and reload funds for eligible users. The prepaid cards must have the following functionalities:

- Be reloadable with funds by the council

- Have PIN protection for security

- Allow for council staff to log in and manage top-ups

- Be secure, ensuring transactions are restricted to appropriate purchases

- Provide real-time transaction monitoring and reporting

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 30162000 - Smart cards
  • 66172000 - Financial transaction processing and clearing-house services

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKG23 - Stoke-on-Trent

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

The contract will involve the provision of a prepaid card service with the following key features:

1. **Prepaid Card Functionality:**

- Cards must be reloadable by the council.

- Designed for use by families and children in care.

2. **Security Features:**

- PIN protection for all transactions.

- Ability to restrict transactions to specific merchant categories (e.g., no ATM withdrawals, no gambling or alcohol purchases).

3. **Council Management Portal:**

- A secure online platform must be provided for council staff to:

- Top up funds onto cards.

- Monitor transactions in real time.

- Set spending limits or restrictions.

4. **Timely Income Management:**

- Funds must be available to users immediately upon top-up.

- Preferably secure integration with council systems for payment tracking.

5. **Transaction Monitoring & Reporting:**

- Secure web-based portal for real-time transaction monitoring.

- Transaction data must be accessible in multiple formats, preferably in multiple formats but at a minimum must have CSV.

- Automated data transfers via **SFTP**.

- **API integration** for seamless data exchange with council systems.

6. **Scalability and Flexibility:**

- The solution must accommodate fluctuating demand.

- Ability to issue additional cards as needed.

The council wishes to continue fulfilling its current services to the same high standard, though recognizes the need to engage with the innovative providers within the market to better understand the wider offer which may be available in an ever developing digital service area.

If you are interested in any further discussions regarding this notice please contact Gabriella.brown@stoke.gov.uk with the reference 'Prepaid Cards' where additional details can be discussed.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 April 2025


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The procurement will be conducted as an open and competitive tender process, ensuring compliance with public sector procurement regulations.

This PIN serves as early notification to potential suppliers regarding this upcoming opportunity. Interested parties are encouraged to express interest and provide feedback on the proposed scope of services.