Efecto de Glifosato en Plantas Nativas

The Awarded Vendor will be responsible for the authorization of client initiated SNAP and TANF transactions from transaction acquirers authorized to participate in EBT-4. The Awarded Vendor shall have the capability to receive and process client transactions from POS devices. Each transaction must include a unique POS device identification number and be associated with a single SNAP or TANF account. Benefits within the EBT account should be distributed on a first in, first out basis. See RFP Appendix 6.12 for EBT-3 Transaction Statistical Data.

The Awarded Vendor shall ensure that clients can access their SNAP benefits only at authorized POS terminals at FNS authorized food retailer locations. The Awarded Vendor shall also take steps to ensure that all Texas EBT transactions include identifying demographic information about the retailer to which the originating POS device was issued. Respondent must include a detailed description of the approach to be taken in order to use the transaction information, data from the FNS REDE system, and data from other sources (if any) to prevent fraud.

TANF benefits shall be accessed through participating POS terminals operated by FNS authorized food retailers and by TANF retailers that certify in writing that no more than 10% of their gross revenue is derived from the sale of alcoholic beverages, legalized games of chance, sexually oriented materials, coin-operated amusement machines or amusement services. TANF benefits cannot be accessed through a POS terminal located at a merchant or establishment prohibited by federal regulations at 45 CFR Part 264 (i.e., liquor store; casino, gambling casino, or gaming establishment; and retail establishment that provides adult-oriented entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an unclothed state for entertainment).

TANF retailers are not authorized by FNS. The Awarded Vendor must obtain, maintain and verify certifications required of state-supported TANF retailers. TPPs must obtain, maintain and verify certifications required of retailers they support. See RFP Section 2.6.2 for additional information about TANF retailer review requirements.

The EBT-4 system must have the capability to identify and report each TANF transaction processed by retailer name and location.

Transaction authorization will require:

• accepting transactions coming from an authorized transaction acquirer. • authorizing or denying transactions.

• sending response messages back to the transaction acquirer authorizing or rejecting client transactions.

• logging (including the unique identifier for each POS device and the disposition of each transaction) for subsequent settlement and reconciliation processing, and transaction reporting. All logged transactions must be available for selection, retrieval and viewing from a transaction history screen within the Administrative Terminal application.

The EBT system will go through a series of checks and processes to determine whether a transaction being initiated by a client should be approved. These checks must include determining the following:

1. All SNAP transactions – the EBT-4 system must validate the transactions originated at an FNS authorized retail location prior to authorizing the transaction;

2. All TANF transactions – the EBT-4 system must ensure the transaction originated at a merchant authorized to participate in the TANF program;

3. The Primary Account Number (PAN) is verified and the card is active;

4. The number of consecutive failed PIN tries has not exceeded four (4) attempts; 5. The PIN is verified as being entered correctly;

6. The account is active; and

7. The EBT account holds a sufficient balance in order to satisfy the transaction request.

If any one of the above conditions is not met, the EBT-4 system shall deny the transaction. The Awarded Vendor must ensure that client benefit accounts are not overdrawn and shall assume all liability if an account overdraft does occur. The system must return a message to the retailer/provider indicating the reason for denial (e.g., invalid PAN, invalid PIN, Non-Sufficient Funds, etc.).

2.4.5.1. Service Requirements

The Awarded Vendor will comply with the software and automated data processing equipment ownership rights prescribed in federal regulations 7 CFR 277.18(l) and as further clarified or negotiated with HHSC and the federal government. The Awarded Vendor is responsible for ensuring that the EBT system meets the processing requirements and criteria established by FNS.

It is the responsibility of the Awarded Vendor to ensure that the EBT system meets the following performance and technical standards as required by 7 CFR 274.8:

• System processing speeds • System availability and reliability • System security

• System ease-of-use

• Minimum card requirements • POS terminals

• Transaction receipts • Minimum transaction set • Interoperability

The Awarded Vendor shall comply with all relevant processing speed requirements as stated in 7 CFR 274.8:

• For leased line systems, 98% of EBT transactions shall be processed within ten (10) seconds or less and all EBT transactions shall be processed within fifteen (15) seconds measured at the POS device.

• For dial-up systems, 95% of the EBT transactions shall be processed within fifteen (15) seconds or less and all EBT transactions shall be processed within twenty (20) seconds or less.

Processing response time shall be measured at the POS terminal from the time the “enter” or “send” key is pressed to the receipt and display of authorization or disapproval information. The new EBT system shall process and respond to all online transaction requests within four (4) seconds after they are received by the system.

The Awarded Vendor’s EBT system central computer shall be available 99.9% of scheduled uptime, 24 hours a day, seven (7) days per week. Scheduled uptime shall mean the time the database is available for transactions excluding scheduled downtime for routine maintenance.

The total system, including the system’s central computer, any network or intermediate processing facilities and cardholder processors, shall be available 98% of scheduled uptime, 24 hours per day, seven (7) days per week.

The EBT-4 state-supported retailer switch must be available 99.9% of scheduled uptime. HHSC must be notified at least five (5) calendar days prior to scheduled downtime for routine maintenance, which must occur during off-peak transaction periods. The Awarded Vendor must also notify HHSC of the need to schedule downtime outside of the time required for routine maintenance. Such downtime must not exceed four (4) hours in a calendar month and must be pre-approved by HHSC.

As defined in the federal regulations, the EBT system central computer shall permit no more than 2 inaccurate EBT transactions for every 10,000 EBT transactions processed. The transactions to be included in measuring system accuracy shall include all SNAP transactions occurring at POS terminals and processed through the host computer, manual transactions entered into the system, credits to household accounts, and funds transfers to retailer accounts. This standard also applies to TANF transactions.

The Awarded Vendor must resolve all errors and inaccurate EBT transactions within one business day unless otherwise agreed to by HHSC.

The Awarded Vendor must both notify HHSC and begin remediation work within five (5) minutes of an EBT host system or transaction processing outage or interruption.

2.4.5.2. Interoperability Requirement

The term “interoperability” means the EBT system must enable benefits issued in the form of an EBT card to be redeemed in any state. Interoperability ensures that recipients can use their electronic benefits across state borders.

Respondent must describe in detail its solution for exchanging electronic transactions among different government entities, jurisdictions, and states. The interoperability solution must meet performance standards set forth in 7 CFR 274. The solution must include the mechanism for switching and settling interstate transactions.

Respondent must describe reconciliation, reporting, resolution of settlement discrepancies, online and offline telecommunications solution, training Texas EBT retailers, and other relevant functions of the proposed interoperability solution. The Texas EBT System must support the use of manual vouchers for interoperable transactions.

The Awarded Vendor shall support the federal requirement of processing interoperable SNAP transactions, including SNAP transactions acquired at a State of Texas retailer where the client has benefits issued by a state other than the State of Texas. In addition, the Awarded Vendor shall have the capability of accepting and processing client transactions occurring at out-of-state (non-Texas) retailers. The Respondent must outline its plan for supporting interoperable transactions for both Texas and non-Texas clients. Transactions originating outside of Texas for Texas EBT clients must be processed in accordance with and are subject to applicable guidelines included in the Lone Star Operating Rules. Transactions originating in Texas for out-of-state EBT clients will be switched by the Awarded Vendor using message protocols that conform to the ISO 8583 specifications.

In accordance with the regulations promulgated by FNS, the federal government will pay 100% of the costs incurred by a state agency for switching and settling SNAP

transactions up to a national annual limit of $500,000 nationwide. Texas was allocated $36,058.90 of this amount in federal fiscal year 2014.

The Awarded Vendor acts as the State of Texas designated fiscal agent for SNAP interoperability and performs federal funds draw and settlement on behalf of HHSC. The Texas EBT System must support interoperable TANF transactions for Texas clients shopping out of state and for out-of-state clients shopping in Texas. The system must include the capability to block TANF transactions at HHSC's discretion for all Texas clients shopping out of state. Respondents must include a detailed description of the approach to be taken in order to ensure that all Texas TANF EBT transactions include name and location (address) information about the retailer/merchant from which the transaction originated. The costs of switching and settling interoperable TANF transactions are not reimbursed by the HHSC or by the federal government.

2.4.5.3. POS Transaction Sets

The EBT-4 system must be able to accept EBT transactions from POS devices for both SNAP and TANF benefits.

(A) SNAP Transactions

The Awarded Vendor must be able to process, at a minimum, the following SNAP transaction types:

• SNAP Purchase

• SNAP Merchandise Return • Manual Voucher

• Reversal • Key-entered

• SNAP Account Balance Inquiry • Store and Forward

(B) POS TANF (Cash) Transactions

The Awarded Vendor must be able to process, at a minimum, the following cash transaction types:

• Cash Purchase

• Purchase with Cash Back • Cash Withdrawal

• Manual Voucher • Void and Cancellation • Reversal

• Key-entered

• Cash Account Balance Inquiry

(C) Internet SNAP and TANF Transactions

FNS is currently developing standards for accepting SNAP transactions from Internet merchants. A pilot project is planned to prove the concept for Internet transactions. The results of the pilot will likely lead FNS to release final specifications for Internet sales. Within one year of the release by FNS of final Internet sales specifications and

requirements, the Awarded Vendor’s EBT system must include capabilities to process SNAP transactions via the Internet. Not later than six (6) months after the Awarded Vendor first supports Internet transactions for any of its customers, the Awarded Vendor must allow HHSC, at no additional cost, to process Internet sales transactions through the EBT-4 system. All transaction types that are supported for any customer of the Awarded Vendor must also be supported for EBT-4. The Awarded Vendor must comply with all state and federal regulations, policies, procedures and standards for Internet transaction processing. Internet transaction reports developed by the Awarded Vendor will be provided to HHSC at no additional costs.

2.4.5.4. Manual Voucher

The Awarded Vendor shall process manual SNAP and TANF transactions. This process may be used for the manual processing of benefits by:

• Retailers who do not have immediate access to a POS device at the time of purchase, including stationary food stores that choose to make home deliveries to households, house-to-house trade routes that operate on standing orders from customers, food buying cooperatives, farmers’ markets, and other retailers authorized to participate in the program;

• Retailers who do not possess a POS terminal, such as those who do not qualify to receive state-provided equipment based on their total monthly FNS SNAP sales; and

• Retailers who have POS equipment, but their POS terminals are inoperable, there are problems with the telecommunications network between the POS terminal and the EBT host processor, or the EBT system is down or otherwise not available.

A paper voucher shall be designed and distributed by the Awarded Vendor to authorized retailers for use in processing manual transactions. The Awarded Vendor shall provide to any requesting retailers an adequate supply of the manual voucher forms. Retailers may also use their own manual voucher form as long as the form meets the minimum data requirements specified below.

The paper voucher must contain, at a minimum: • full name of the client,

• name or identification number of the sales clerk, • client’s PAN,

• Card-in-Hand Code (CIHC), • total purchase amount, • the date of the transaction, • program (SNAP or TANF), • voucher authorization number,

• FNS number (if retailer is authorized by FNS), and

• unique retailer number (if retailer is not authorized by FNS).

The Awarded Vendor shall require the client’s signature and the authorization number, provided by the Awarded Vendor at the time the hold was placed on the EBT account, on the voucher as a condition for processing. Clients should also be required to produce their EBT Card at the time the voucher is being processed by the retailer.

(A) Manual Voucher Authorization

A toll-free telephone number shall be provided to retailers to obtain authorizations for the manual vouchers. The authorization process shall be automated as part of the help desk IVR functionality; however if the IVR is not accessible, retailers should be able to obtain manual authorizations from a Customer Service Associate (CSA). Awarded Vendor shall not limit the number of manual authorizations that may be performed during a single call to the IVR, but may limit the number of authorizations performed through a CSA. Respondents shall specify in their response any limits on voice authorizations that can be performed through a CSA.

Upon providing a telephone authorization for a SNAP or TANF transaction, the Awarded Vendor shall place a “hold” on the amount of benefits necessary to fund the transaction. The Awarded Vendor shall maintain the hold on the benefits until the voucher

transaction is “cleared,” up to a maximum of 15 calendar days. A retailer has 15 calendar days to submit the voucher (either electronically through the POS terminal or by paper copy mailed to the Awarded Vendor) to complete the transaction. If the retailer fails to submit the voucher within the 15 calendar days, the hold shall be released and the use of these funds shall revert back to the client. The retailer or acquirer bears the liability for the transaction if the voucher is not cleared timely.

If the manual transaction involves a SNAP return, the retailer is required to complete the manual voucher but may or may not be required to obtain a voice authorization prior to completing the transaction. The Respondent shall describe its process for authorizing manual vouchers relating to SNAP purchases and returns, explain how such

transactions effect funds movement, and discuss how such transactions will be reported and addressed in end of day balancing.

If the retailer does not have access to a telephone (e.g., route vendor, farmers' market), the retailer shall obtain (or attempt to obtain) a voice authorization as soon as possible after the purchase. Such transactions are performed “at the retailer’s risk." The retailer shall be liable for declined transactions if the retailer fails to obtain prior authorization and the EBT account has insufficient funds to cover the purchase. In such instances, the retailer may immediately request that the balance of funds remaining in the account at that time be placed on “hold” as partial payment for the transaction. The retailer may subsequently clear the voucher only for the reduced amount that was authorized. (B) Manual Voucher Clearance

There are two methods by which a manual voucher can be cleared. If the authorized retailer has a POS device, the retailer will convert the manual transaction to an

electronic transaction for transmission to the Awarded Vendor when the POS device is again able to communicate with the EBT Host. If the retailer is a non-traditional or low- volume (per FNS waiver) FNS authorized retailer that does not have a POS device, the original manual voucher will be mailed directly to the Awarded Vendor for the clearing and settlement of the manual voucher. If a retailer mails in a voucher for which prior authorization was not obtained, or the signature is not present on the manual voucher, the transaction shall be declined and the retailer will be liable for the declined

transaction. The current EBT-3 vendor receives through the mail and settles approximately seventy-five (75) manual vouchers each month.

The retailer shall not be allowed to clear any voucher for more than the authorized amount, nor shall the retailer be allowed to clear a voucher for a SNAP return transaction for less than the authorized amount. The Awarded Vendor shall have a process available to allow the retailer to:

• clear a purchase voucher for less than the authorized amount; and

• cancel a purchase authorization completely before the 15-day hold period has expired (or clear the voucher for $0.00).

2.4.5.5. Voids and Cancellations

A transaction may be voided/cancelled by a retailer at a POS device. The

void/cancellation message will include the trace number, the exact dollar amount, and other identifying information from the original transaction. The Awarded Vendor shall have the capability to accurately process the void or cancellation transaction and have the effect of the void/cancelled transaction immediately and appropriately reflected in the client's EBT account.

2.4.5.6. Reversals

Any POS transaction may be reversed by using a properly-coded message that

conforms to the Texas EBT implementation of the ISO 8583 data interchange standard. For example, there may be a reason that the completion of a POS transaction cannot take place at the originating POS device (e.g., communication failure with the device and/or a device malfunction, or a late response from the Awarded Vendor). When a transaction reversal is necessary, the TPP or authorized retailer/benefit acquirer that processed the original transaction will generate a reversal message for processing by the Awarded Vendor’s host system. As defined within the EBT ISO message

specifications, the reversal message will include the trace number, the exact dollar amount, and other identifying information from the original transaction. The Awarded Vendor must accurately process all properly formatted and submitted reversal

transactions, whether or not the transactions to be reversed are the most recent transactions submitted by the TPP for the affected EBT client account. The results of each approved reversal transaction must be reflected immediately and accurately in the client's account.

2.4.5.7. Key-entered Transactions

The Awarded Vendor shall accept and process EBT transactions where the card number (PAN) has been manually entered (key-entered) into the POS device. Transactions may be key-entered at times when a card presented by a client is damaged and/or the POS