Puerto Rico EBT Project, Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 42001, San Juan, PR 00940-2001

D -- UPCOMING RELEASE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR PUERTO RICO ELECTRONIC BENEFITS TRANSFER SYSTEM POC Velmarie Berlingeri, Puerto Rico EBT Project, Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, P.O. Box 42001, San Juan, PR 00940-2001 The Government of Puerto Rico plans to introduce Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) services as cost-effective means of delivering food and cash benefits to eligible recipients within the Economic Assistance Program (EAP) and the Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) -- both of which are administered by the Puerto Rico Department of the Family. The Government of Puerto Rico has future plans to expand the use of EBT and direct deposit for distribution of benefits delivered through other state and Federal programs. The Government Development Bank for Puerto Rico, as a representative of the Government of Puerto Rico, shall release a Request for Proposals in October 1997 to solicit bids from qualified and experienced providers to offer EBT and EFT services -- including the design, development, and operation of a Puerto Rico EBT system. One qualified vendor shall be selected to perform three types of EFT services: EBT, direct deposit, and third party payments. Written requests for a copy of the Request for Proposal document should be forwarded to the attention of Ms. Velmarie Berlingeri at the address above. Potential bidders are encouraged to submit their requests as soon as possible to ensure the timely receipt of the Request for Proposal document. (0288)

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