1391183-event.pdf

07 July 2026

Athletic Wear and Equipment Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) invites qualified athletic apparel and equipment vendors to submit proposals for an exclusive multi-year relationship agreement to supply athletic uniforms, team

07 July 2026

Open 7/7/2026 8:00 AM CDT Type Request for Proposal Close 7/28/2026 12:00 PM CDT Number SRC-ARCC-2026-000590-RFP Currency US Dollar

Payment Terms Net 30

07 July 2026

Contacts

Nicole Crosbie nicole.crosbie@stcloudstate.edu

Karen Northrop - ARCC karen.northrop@anokaramsey.edu

Phone +1 612-845-7182

07 July 2026

Commodity Codes Commodity Code Description 49000000 Sports and Recreational Equipment and Supplies and Accessories

07 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 2026 mailto:nicole.crosbie@stcloudstate.edu mailto:karen.northrop@anokaramsey.edu

Project Overview

Anoka-Ramsey Community College (ARCC) invites qualified athletic apparel and equipment vendors to submit proposals for an exclusive multi-year relationship agreement to supply athletic uniforms, team apparel, spirit wear, practice gear, and athletic equipment for its intercollegiate athletic programs.

ARCC seeks to establish a supplier capable of delivering high-quality products, competitive pricing, responsive customer service, and brand enhancement support consistent with NJCAA standards and collegiate athletic expectations.

The successful proposer will demonstrate the ability to support the operational, marketing, branding, and competitive goals of the ARCC Athletics Department while fostering a collaborative long-term relationship.

OBJECTIVES

1. Establish a direct supplier relationship to maximize operational efficiencies and cost savings.

2. Provide a dedicated account representative to service ARCC athletic programs in a timely, professional, and proactive manner.

3. Create consistent athletic branding and uniform standards across all sports programs to enhance recruiting and institutional identity.

4. Collaborate with ARCC Athletics and Marketing departments to promote and protect the ARCC brand image.

5. Minimize overall apparel, equipment, and supply costs through preferred pricing structures and strategic purchasing programs.

6. Deliver products that meet or exceed NJCAA standards for durability, athletic performance, fit, and appearance.

7. Provide FOB Destination shipping terms with all freight charges prepaid by the awarded vendor.

8. Maintain reliable delivery timelines and communicate lead times on all orders and quotes.

9. Support ARCC’s ability to source products externally if awarded vendor cannot provide required items within acceptable timelines or specifications.

Men's # Player Season

Soccer 24 FALL (Aug- Nov); WINTER (January- March)

Basketball 15 September- March

Baseball 30 FALL (Aug- Oct); WINTER (Jan- Mar)

Women's

Soccer 18 FALL (Aug- Nov); WINTER (Jan- Mar)

Volleyball 15 FALL (Aug- Nov); WINTER (Jan- Mar)

Basketball 15 September- March

Softball 16 FALL (Aug- Nov) WINTER (Jan- Mar)

Co-Ed Teams

Description

Soccer 20 FALL (Aug- Nov); WINTER (Jan- Mar)

Basketball 15 September- March

Technical/Functional Requirements

The successful vendor shall provide products and services including, but not limited to:

Athletic Uniforms

• Competition uniforms for all varsity sports

• Home, away, and alternate uniforms

• Warm-ups and sideline apparel

• Coaching apparel

Practice Apparel and Training Gear

• Practice jerseys

• Shorts and training apparel

• Compression gear

• Outerwear and weather-related gear

Spirit Wear and Fan Merchandise

• Branded apparel for students, alumni, and supporters

• Campus bookstore or online store support

• Promotional apparel

Athletic Equipment

Including but not limited to:

• Basketballs

• Volleyballs

• Softballs and baseballs

• Training equipment

• Bags and accessories

Branding and Marketing Support

• Graphic design assistance

• Brand consistency guidance

• Team catalog creation

• Online ordering portals

• Promotional and sponsorship collaboration

Budget The budget for this contract is anticipated to be $100,000.00 per year of the contract.

Selection Process The selection process includes Interim Vice President of Finance and Administration, Athletice Director, Assistant Athletic Director This group will evaluate the proposals and make the final decision.

Evaluation Factors The following factors and their identified weight will be used to evaluate the responses:

Topic Factor Weight Adherence to Minnesota State Terms and Conditions.

A statement of the objectives, goals, and tasks to show or demonstrate its view and understanding of the nature of the contract 10

Work Plan.

A description of the deliverables to be provided by the Responder along with a detailed work plan that identifies the major tasks to be accomplished and be used as a scheduling and managing tool, as well as the basis for invoicing.

Cost/Value. Identify the level of the participation of Minnesota State in the contract, as well as any other services to be provided by Minnesota State, and details of cost allowances for this participation. 30

Qualifications of Respondent and its personnel.

An outline of the Responder’s background and experience with examples of similar work complete by the Responder and a list of personnel who will conduct the project, detailing their training, and work experience. Resumes or other information about project personnel should not, if possible, contain personal telephone numbers, home addresses or home email addresses. If it is necessary to include personal contact information, please clearly indicate in the proposal that personal contact information is being provided.

Completeness, thoroughness and detail of the response

Completeness, thoroughness and detail of the response as reflected by the proposal's discussions and coverage of all elements of work listed above 10

Total 100

Contract Terms Minnesota State desires to enter into a contract with the successful Respondent(s) effective on the date the last recognized signature is obtained, whichever occurs later. The length of such contract(s) will be 36 MONTHS or 3YEARS (no more than FIVE years without the Vice Chancellor-CFO’s approval)]. If Minnesota State and Respondent are unable to negotiate and sign a contract by 07/30/26, then Minnesota State reserves the right to seek an alternative Respondent(s).

Inquiries and Submission Instructions

Minnesota State accepts all questions and bid submissions exclusively through Minnesota State's e-procurement system. Hard copy submissions, emails, or submissions through any other medium will not be considered. Each Respondent is solely responsible for the timely delivery of its questions and bids by the RFx date and time deadlines. Failure to meet the deadlines shall be grounds for rejection.

Required to View Event

Prerequisites Required to Enter Bid

07 July 2026

1. Review the background of Minnesota State

2. Review the Notice and Authority

3.

This sourcing event includes and incorporates the Minnesota State Solicitation Terms and Conditions, which apply to this solicitation. Responders should carefully review these terms and conditions when preparing their responses.

Any contract resulting from this solicitation will be based on the sample contract provided in the Buyer's Attachment section. Much of the language reflected in the sample contract is required by Minnesota statute. If a responder takes exception to any provision of the sample contract, those exceptions must be clearly identified in the response. Only exceptions that are expressly stated in the response will be considered for discussion or negotiation. Exceptions not identified in the response will be deemed waived. Certain exceptions may result in a proposal being disqualified from further review and evaluation.

4. Review the Definitions to the RFx

5. Review the Organizational Conflict of Interest policy

6. Review the RFx Contact Information

7. Review and accept the Authorized Response Certification Statement.

8. Review and agree to the Duration of Offer agreement

9. Review the Terms of Payment

10. Review the Minnesota Secretary of State Requirement.

11.

Required Documentation: Affidavit of Non-Collusion. Download the attached document, complete, sign, notarize, and upload completed form with response. Failure to upload a completed, signed, and notarized Affidavit of Non-Collusion prior to the close date of the solicitation will result in any proposal being disqualified from being evaluated for the solicitation.

12. Affirmative Action Requirements: Review and download declaration page, complete, sign, and upload completed from with response.

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Buyer Attachments

1. Sample P/T Contract

2. Contractor's Reimbursable Expenses Information

07 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 202607 July 2026 https://www.minnstate.edu/system/templates/docs/4_PTServices-Template.docx https://www.minnstate.edu/vendors/contractor_reimburseable.html

Questions Required Questions

Group 1: Adherence to Terms and Conditions (10 points) Instructions:

1.1 Minnesota State presumes the Responder agrees to all terms and conditions as listed in the sample contract in buyer's attachments unless explicitly requests specific exceptions.

After review of the sample contract, do you have any exceptions to the Minnesota State Terms and Conditions?

1.2

List each exception by identifying the applicable clause, page number, proposed change to the clause, and an explanation for the requested change. Only exceptions that are expressly stated in the response will be considered for discussion or negotiation.

Exceptions not identified in the response will be deemed waived.

Certain exceptions may result in a proposal being disqualified from further review and evaluation.

1.3

Responders must disclose any relationships that create, or appear to create, a conflict of interest with the work contemplated by this solicitation. Identify all such conflicts by listing the name of the entity, the nature of the relationship, and a description of the actual or perceived conflict. Failure to disclose a conflict of interest may result in disqualification of the response. Do you have any existing or potential conflicts of interest?

1.4 Identify each conflict by listing the name of the individual or campus, the nature of the relationship, and a description of the actual or perceived conflict.

Group 2: Company Profile (20 points) Instructions:

2.1

Include references from your three largest companies and or educational institutions for which your proposed solution has been implemented in North America. At least one implementation should be similar in scope to Minnesota State. Download the attached spreadsheet, fill out, save, and upload the finalized document. NOTE: The Respondent certifies that it is empowered to use the names of references it provides and agrees that Minnesota State may contact these references.

2.2 Please provide the history of your organization or company

2.3 Please describe additional services your company offers that is not part of this RFP as previously described?

2.4 Describe your company’s experience supporting collegiate athletic programs, specifically NJCAA, community colleges, or small athletic departments

2.5 How many collegiate athletic accounts does your company currently manage?

2.6 Describe the company, culture and values.

2.7 Describe the diversity of the proposed team

2.8 How many collegiate athletic accounts does your company currently manage?

2.9 Provide examples of similar athletic partnerships currently serviced by your organization.

2.10 Has your company experienced any major supply chain disruptions in the past three years? If yes, how were they managed?

2.11 Who will be the dedicated ARCC account representative, and what level of ongoing support will they provide?

2.12 What are your guaranteed response times for quotes, order issues, reorders, and urgent requests?

Group 3: Workplan (20 points) Instructions:

3.1 Describe the quality standards used in your athletic apparel manufacturing?

3.2 What product warranties or guarantees are offered?

3.3 How do your products meet NJCAA competition standards?

3.4 Describe your testing process for durability, shrinkage, color consistency, and athletic performance.

3.5 Which products are stocked versus custom manufactured?

3.6 What is the expected lifespan of your uniforms under normal collegiate athletic use?

3.7 Can replacement items be ordered individually during the season? Explain.

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3.8 Explain how your company applies logos to apparel (e.g., embroidery, screen printing, etc.).

3.9 Explain how your company will ensure consistency in the branding across differenct sports and teams, whilse still offering customization options for individual team uniforms in terms of design, colors, and logos.

3.10 Explain customer service plans your company has in place to address any issues or concerns that may arise during the course of our partnership.

3.11 For logo application on apparel, describe your preferences regarding any alternations to providing logos, including any specific guidelines or restrictions.

3.12 What are your standard lead times for custom uniforms, equipment, and replacement orders?

3.13 Outline your typical order fulfillment process from placement to delivery, include standard lead times.

3.14 How does your company manage backorders, discontinued products, and supply chain disruptions?

3.15 Describe your ordering platform and approval workflow capabilities for coaches and administrators

3.16 Confirm your ability to provide FOB Destination shipping and explain how delivery timelines are managed and guaranteed.

Group 4: Cost and Conditions (30 points)

Instructions:

Responders are encouraged to submit proposals which incorporate sponsorship and advertising as components of their offer. Sponsorship support, including discounts, free products and other considerations. In exchange for sponsorship support, Suppliers may receive official sponsor designation in public address announcements, link to Supplier's internet site from Athletic Department page, Supplier's logo in print materials, and tickets to athletic events.

4.1 Describe your pricing structure, discounts, rebates, sponsorship incentives, and cost-saving opportunities available to ARCC. Note: Include tiered, volume discounts, and pricing for standard vs. extended sizes.

4.2 What pricing protections or fixed-cost guarantees can you provide over the four-year contract term.

4.3 How often do you review and adjust your pricing structure to remain competitive in the market?

4.4 Explain how your company handles rush orders, last-minute quantity changes, and potential delays in production or shipping.

4.5 Are there any hidden costs or fees that may not be explicitly mentioned in the pricing structure? (i.e., artwork, customization, etc.)

4.6 Explain your company's policy on defectives, damaged or incorrect products and its process for resolution.

4.7 Describe your policy for exchanges or returns of merchandise.

4.8 What reporting tools are available for tracking budgets, spending, and order history by sport?

Group 5: Supplier Diversity

Instructions:

In accordance with Minnesota State Board Policy 5.14, Minnesota State is committed to enhance and optimize business and contracting opportunities that promotes economic growth and prosperity of the student bodies and the communities we serve. Minnesota State created the Supplier Diversity program to foster partnerships with historically under-utilized businesses and ensure that diverse vendors are given equal opportunities to provide goods and services system-wide.

5.1 Does your company, partner or sub-contractor qualify as a diverse supplier as defined by Minnesota State? (See attached form)

5.2 Provide your certification and completed Supplier Diversity Form

5.3 Does your company qualify for preference points as a small TG/ED/VO as defined with the Office of Equity Procurement (https://mn.gov/admin/business/vendor-info/oep/sbcp/)

5.4 Upload your certification

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Product Line Items Product Line Items

There are no Items added to this event.

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Service Line Items Service Line Items

1.

# Item Name, Commodity Code, Description Allow

Alternates Qty. UOM Requested Service Delivery

S1 Total Bid Amount 1 LS - Lump Sum

Provide the total fixed pricing for the entire four years of athletic apparel, equipment, and services

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