Hiring of Payment System Operators for Interoperable Payment Solution for BISP Beneficiaries Across Pakistan

This tender from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Islamabad invites qualified Payment System Operators (PSOs) and Payment System Providers (PSPs) to provide an interoperable payment solution for disbursing cash grants to BISP beneficiaries nationwide. The procurement falls under IT Software & Licenses and Security & Safety Equipment categories, reflecting the technical and operational nature of the assignment. The scope involves designing, implementing, and operating a national interoperability switching and settlement service connecting all financial institutions, including commercial and microfinance banks. The system will enable beneficiaries to withdraw funds from any authorized bank's agent network, including POS agents, ATMs, and alternate channels, with biometric verification. The project demands robust IT infrastructure, secure APIs, real-time transaction validation with NADRA and BISP systems, and integration with national payment infrastructure like Raast. The service provider must ensure high availability, security compliance (ISO 27001), and provide a beneficiary-friendly dispute resolution mechanism. Bidders must meet strict eligibility criteria including SBP licensing, active tax status, at least five years of experience in large-scale PSP/PSO transactions, and demonstrated interoperability capabilities. The evaluation includes technical experience, volume handled, network integration, geographical presence, methodology, and work plan. The financial proposal requires a percentage-based service charge on cash withdrawals, inclusive of operational and administrative costs. Proposals must be submitted electronically via E-PADS by 13th February 2026 at 14:00 hours, with technical proposals opened the same day at 14:30 hours in BISP's Islamabad office. A pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 2nd February 2026. The contract duration is two years with a possible one-year extension. Submission requires a PKR 1 million proposal security. The contract includes detailed SLAs, penalties for delays or service interruptions, and a performance guarantee of PKR 20 million. Pro-Tip: Ensure your technical proposal clearly documents your interoperability experience and integration capabilities with verifiable evidence. Pay close attention to the proposal security and tax compliance requirements to avoid disqualification. Also, prepare for the pre-proposal conference to clarify any technical or procedural queries.