GSA Issues Solicitation for Next Generation of Government Card Services. Industry - Agency Partnership Seeks to Use Emerging Technologies to Streamline, Simplify Procurement and Financial Management Services

GSA #9437

September 12, 1997
Contact: Hap Connors
(202) 501-1231

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced today its solicitation for the next generation of government-wide fleet, travel and purchase card services. These contracts will provide government agencies with a wide array of options for streamlining over $6 billion in annual procurement and financial systems expenditures.

GSA's Federal Supply Service sought both industry and federal agency input in developing the solicitation, which seeks to incorporate electronic commerce and emerging technologies such as integrated circuit chip capabilities used in "smart cards." As the government continues to automate financial transactions to simplify procedures and save on administrative and other costs, "these contracts will provide the necessary tools to meet the challenges of the 21st century," said GSA Administrator David J. Barram.

In addition to traditional card-based services available under the government's current contracts with Rocky Mountain BankCard System, American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc. and Wright Express Corporation, the government is soliciting features such as smart cards, enhanced transaction data and enriched financial management information. The initial contract period, which begins November 30, 1998, is for five years, with an additional option of five years.

This is the single largest procurement for the government's card-based services. Currently, there are over 2 million cards being used to purchase more than $6 billion for travel, fleet and purchase services. The solicitation has generated serious interest since it was initially announced last year, and GSA has actively partnered with industry and federal agencies by hosting focus groups, forums and soliciting comments.

Building on this partnership, GSA will hold a pre-proposal conference for industry representatives on September 23 in Washington, DC. For more information and to register for the conference, contact Arlene Fitzpatrick at (703) 305-6572 or Rosemarie Dunn at (703) 305-4191. The deadline for submission of proposals is October 28, 1997. The solicitation is available on the Internet at http://pub.fss.gsa.gov/fm/future.