TITLE
Recommendation to amend Agreement No. 27179 with Equifax Information Services, LLC, to provide Social Security number verification services and extend the contract for a period of one year with options for two additional one-year periods. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
New utility customers are required to provide proof of identification when establishing a utility account. As a matter of convenience, the City accepts applications over the phone if a customer's Social Security number can be verified. Approximately 34,000 identification verifications are processed for phone applications annually.
Verifications of Social Security numbers are provided by the major credit reporting agencies. Equifax Information Services, LLC (Equifax), TransUnion and Experian were contacted for pricing information. As a result, Equifax, the current service provider, offered the service at the lowest rate with additional services including secured, direct Internet access.
The proposed amendment will lower pricing per each transaction to $0.81 (a $0.20 reduction per transaction) for an estimated annual cost savings of $7,000. All other terms and conditions of the existing agreement will remain in effect. Even though the estimated value of the amendment is $35,000, Equifax requires that the City sign a contract, as opposed to a purchase order, which has language used by the industry when providing Internet services of this type. The term of the amendment will commence upon award for a one-year period, with options for two additional one-year periods.
This matter was reviewed by Senior Deputy City Attorney Donna F. Gwin on November 29,2005 and Budget Management Officer David Wodynski on December 2,2005.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this item is requested on December 13, 2005 to ensure that new pricing goes into effect as soon as possible.
FISCAL IMPACT
Total annual costs for the requested amendment is approximately $35,000. Sufficient funds to support this cont...
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