The Merchant Services RFP Committee of the City of St. Louis convened on September 3, 2025, to address key procedural updates and deadlines that will impact local businesses and residents. The meeting, which established a quorum, focused primarily on the voting protocol for committee members and the timeline for the Request for Proposals (RFP) related to merchant services.

Chairman Smart outlined a new voting structure, confirming that only one member each from the airport and parking divisions would serve as voting members, alongside representatives from the comptroller's office and the mayor's office. This adjustment aims to streamline decision-making within the committee.

A significant topic of discussion was the RFP submission timeline. It was noted that the current deadline for both inquiries and proposals was set for September 29, which posed a logistical challenge for potential bidders. To address this, the committee proposed extending the proposal submission deadline to October 10. This change allows bidders adequate time to submit inquiries and receive responses before finalizing their proposals.

The committee also discussed the necessity of a public conference call for questions regarding the RFP. While there was no formal requirement for such a meeting, members agreed that providing a platform for inquiries could enhance transparency and engagement with potential bidders.

The motion to extend the proposal deadline was unanimously approved, reflecting the committee's commitment to facilitating a fair bidding process. As the meeting concluded, members expressed their readiness to adjourn, having made significant progress on the agenda.

This meeting underscores the committee's efforts to ensure that local businesses have the opportunity to participate in city contracts, ultimately benefiting the St. Louis community by fostering economic growth and enhancing service delivery.