In compliance with all state procurement laws and procedures, the Department of Education retains the authority to contract with a vendor or other supplier for the purpose of administering all or part of the Arkansas Children’s Educational Freedom Account Program, including but not limited to:

1. (1) Implementing a system to collect and compile response data from the standard application form;

2. (2)

   1. (A) Managing a secure payment system for account holders to use as the primary method to direct EFA funds to participating schools and service providers by electronic funds transfer, automated clearinghouse transfer, or other commercially viable, cost-effective, parent-friendly, and easy-to-use online product.

   2. (B) The secure payment system shall make the EFA fund balance readily accessible to the account holder through a technology interface with real-time or near real-time balance information and transaction history, including:

      1. (i) Transaction date;
      2. (ii) The amount deposited or spent; and
      3. (iii) The name of the participating school or service provider;
3. (3) Providing account holders with telephone-operated customer service or real-time operated online chat response to answer questions related to the secure payment system and access to participating schools and service providers available beyond conventional business hours;
4. (4) Establishing and maintaining an online anonymous fraud reporting service and an anonymous telephone hotline for reporting program fraud, pursuant to 6 CAR § 35-108(c);
5. (5) Compiling the information necessary for the legislative report regarding the implementation of the EFA, to be submitted annually no later than September 30 pursuant to Arkansas Code § 6-18-2510;
6. (6) Reviewing applications and expenses; and
7. (7) General administration and management of the program.