Arkansas taps ACS for electronic benefits transfer services

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. won a seven-year, $15.4 million contract from the Arkansas Department of Human Services to provide an electronic benefits transfer solution.

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. won a seven-year, $15.4 million contract from the Arkansas Department of Human Services to provide an electronic benefits transfer solution, the company announced today.

Under the contract, ACS of Dallas will design, implement and operate an electronic benefits transfer system for the Department of Human Services' Division of County Operations that will process food stamps and Temporary Aid to Needy Families.

The system will be based on ACS' electronic payment processing and information control system. The software system, which is written in Java, includes a Web browser interface, online reporting features and Internet access for clients and retailers to review their accounts and transactions.

The company also will train recipients to use the system and recruit and train retailers in program participation. Other services that ACS will provide under the contract include administrative staff training, client help line services, account settlement and network communications.

Many states around the nation are implementing electronic benefits transfer, a debit card system for recipients of food stamps, in order to comply with federal government requirements, according to the company. ACS currently delivers services under multiple electronic benefits transfer contracts and subcontracts, the company said.

ACS is a provider of business process outsourcing and information technology outsourcing services to commercial and government clients. The company has about 40,000 employees and had annual sales of $3.2 billion in fiscal 2002.