FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Treasurer Farmer Announces Contract to Streamline Credit Card Transactions, Save Missouri Taxpayer Dollars

Office of Missouri State Treasurer Nancy Farmer
October 30, 2003
Contact: Chuck Miller, (573) 751-2411

State Treasurer Nancy Farmer announced today a new statewide credit card services contract that will help streamline credit card transactions while saving taxpayer dollars.

The contract, awarded today to Link2Gov Corp., will allow state agencies to accept American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa by telephone using interactive voice response; at the point of sale; and through the Internet. Treasurer Farmer said much of the contract would be operational within eight to 10 weeks.

“Consumers are the winners here,” said Treasurer Farmer. “By creating an umbrella contract for all of state government and some local governments to use, we are able to reduce costs and streamline credit card transactions.”

Currently, some state agencies offer the convenience of credit card transactions but the services cost as much as an additional 4.2 percent of the transaction’s value. With the contract announced today by Treasurer Farmer, costs will range from 1.78 to 2.79 percent of the transaction, a significant savings that ultimately will be passed on to the taxpayers of Missouri.

An evaluation committee created by the Treasurer’s Office recommended Nashville-based Link2Gov Corp., a premiere e-Government technology solutions provider and electronic payment processor, provide this service to the State of Missouri following a competitive bid process. Last year, Link2Gov also was selected by the IRS to process federal tax payments beginning in January 2003.

In addition to Link2Gov Corp, a Jefferson City-based firm will be providing services as part of the contract award. Huber & Associates, a state-certified woman-owned business enterprise, will provide the necessary on-site technical support. The contract period is for two years with the option of an additional two one-year renewals.