Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
STOKE-ON-TRENT CITY COUNCIL
Civic Centre
STOKE-ON-TRENT
ST41HH
Contact
Agnes Ashun
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
Buyer's address
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.