Hosting Online Tax Sales Services

The Vendor is required to provide for internet-based sales of delinquent property taxes and municipal charges of approximately 3,200 items in the month of December.
- Detailed online instructions on how to utilize the website.
- A dedicated telephone hotline available for use by the tax collector until the sale’s completion.
- A help desk for the tax collector and bidders through the internet, e-mail, and at least one toll-free telephone number.
- Web-based training, including online tutorials, for both bidders and City officials responsible for administering the sale.
- A method by which bidders can practice bidding on the website.
- Available in-person training for the City, including a working demonstration of the website and overall system.
- Online display of winning bids immediately upon the auction’s completion.
- Notification to winning bidders by e-mail at the bidder’s registered e-mail address.
- Provision of the electronic transfer of information and data to and from the City, including access for the tax collector to remove and update the tax lien sale list in real time.
- Be presently conducting online tax sales in at least two states
- The online tax sale platform shall enable the tax collector to accept and process ACH and wire transfer payments as well as certified check or cash.
- If the tax collector accepts in-person cash payment, the tax collector must immediately input data into the online tax sale system to reflect any such payment. 
- Successful bidders shall make full payment for liens within 24 hours after bidding closes.
- ACH transfers shall be initiated within 24 hours after bidding closes and settled within 72 hours of the close of sale, unless a longer period of time has been agreed upon in writing between the City and the Vendor.
- Cybersecurity framework that shall be followed by an online tax sale Vendor. Elements addressed include:
•    System hosting;
•    Encryption;
•    Password policy and staff security education;
•    Risk assessment and security updates;
•    Background checks for staff with access to financial and personal identifying information;
•    Limitations on the maintenance of personal identifying information (e.g. prohibiting the use of Social Security numbers as identifiers);
•    Information backup, information disposal, and disaster recovery plans.

- Contract Period/Term: 1 year