CMU 2855 Athletic Apparel and Equipment .pdf

Rev. 12/22/2022 1

Request for Proposal

For CMU 2855 Athletic Apparel and Equipment

RFP Issue Date: October 29, 2025

Proposal Due Date: November 19, 2025, 11:00am

Issued By: Tracey Cornwell

Purchasing Specialist/Buyer

CMU 2855

Table of Contents Section 1: Administrative information

1. Issuing Office

2. Official Means of Communication

3. Purpose

4. Definitions

5. Scope

6. Schedule of Activities

7. Inquiries

8. Addendum or Supplement to Request for Proposal

9. Written Inquiries and Responses

10. Modification or Withdrawal of Proposals

11. Proposal Submission

12. Acceptance of RFP Terms

13. Bid Opening

14. Oral Presentations/Site Visits

15. Protested Solicitations and Awards

16. Confidential/Proprietary Information

17. RFP Response Material Ownership

18. Proposal Prices

19. Discussion with Responsible Offerors and Revisions to Proposal

20. Selection of Proposal

21. Award of Contract

22. Acceptance of Proposal Content

23. Standard Contract

24. RFP Cancellation

25. Ownership of Contract Products/Services

26. Incurring Costs

27. Non-Discrimination

28. Rejection of Proposals

29. Parent Company

30. News Releases

31. Contract Cancellation

32. Certification of Independent Price Determination

33. Conflicts of Interest

34. Taxes

35. Assignment and Delegation

36. Availability of Funds

37. Bid Bonds/Security

38. Contractor’s Performance Bond

39. Standard Insurance Requirements

40. Independent Contractor Clause

41. Indemnification

42. Venue

Section 2: Background, Overview, and Goals

1. Background

2. Overview

3. Goals

Section 3: Statement of Work Section 4: Offeror’s Response Format Section 5: Evaluation Process and Criteria

1. Evaluation Process

2. Evaluation Criteria

3. Basis of Award

Section 6: Required Submittals

Section 1: Administrative information

1. Issuing Office This Request for Proposal (RFP) is issued by the Colorado Mesa University (University) Purchasing Department on behalf of the Athletics Department. The Purchasing Department is the SOLE point of contact concerning this RFP. All communication must be done through the Purchasing Department.

2. Official Means of Communication During the solicitation process for this RFP, all official communication between the Purchasing Department and Offerors will be via postings on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System (RMEPS) website at:

https://www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. The RMEPS website offers both free and paid registration options that allow for full access of the solicitation documents and for electronic submission of proposals. NOTE: Free registration on the site may take up to 24 hours to process; plan registration to allow time for on-time bid submission. The University does not have access or control of the vendor side of the RMEPS site; contact RMEPS directly to resolve any issues encountered prior to response deadline at (800) 835-4603.

The Purchasing Department will post notices which will include, but not be limited to, any modifications to administrative or performance requirements, answers to inquiries received, clarifications to requirements, and the announcement of the apparent winning Offeror. It is incumbent upon Offerors to carefully and regularly monitor the RMEPS website for any such postings.

The Purchasing Department will also post communications through the University Open Solicitations website at:

https://www.coloradomesa.edu/procurement-payment/open-solicitations.html. Information on this website is for reference only; the RMEPS website is the platform of record. It is incumbent that bidders review the University's Solicitation Instructions.

3. Purpose This RFP provides prospective Offerors with sufficient information to enable them to prepare and submit proposals for consideration by the Purchasing Department to satisfy the need for expert assistance in the completion of the goals of this RFP.

4. Definitions A. In the following RFP, the term “University” shall be understood to mean “Colorado Mesa University.”

B. In the following RFP, the term “Offeror” shall be understood to mean the individual, company, corporation, or firm formally submitting a response to this RFP and may also be referred to as the “Bidder,” “Vendor” or “Contractor.”

C. In the following RFP, the term “Response” shall be understood to mean a written offer to provide goods and/or services in accordance with the general conditions, instruction, and specifications stated herein with the exceptions clearly stated, and may be used interchangeably with the terms “Proposal” and “Bid.”

5. Scope

Colorado Mesa University is looking to enter into a contract that encompasses a wide range of apparel and athletic equipment. This includes but is not limited to essential items for both athletes and coaching staff. Colorado Mesa University total spend in FY 2025 was $602,512.69

Below is a breakdown of the items by category need.

https://www.rockymountainbidsystem.com/ https://www.coloradomesa.edu/procurement-payment/open-solicitations.html

Category Items Included

Uniforms Game day uniforms, practice jerseys, pants

Headwear Hats

Bottoms Shorts, warm-up pants

Footwear Shoes, socks

Accessories Bags, sports bras

Coaching Attire Shirts for coaches and athletic department staff

Sports Equipment Relevant athletic equipment specific to various sports

Key Considerations

• Quality Standards: Ensure that all items meet the durability and performance standards required for collegiate athletics.

• Branding and Logos: Contract should define how university branding will feature on the apparel and equipment.

• Sustainability: Consideration for environmentally friendly materials and practices in the production of apparel.

• Vendor Support: Assess the level of support provided by the vendor for sizing, customization, and replacement policies.

Colorado Mesa University aims for a partnership that not only supplies high-quality gear but also supports the needs of their athletic programs and enhances the overall student-athlete experience.

1. Customer Service/Ordering

Offeror must have a simple ordering process.

Offeror must provide University with a local, assigned sales representative(s).

Offeror must have sufficient inventory to meet CMU needs.

2. Pricing

a. Pricing must be based on discount off current published manufacturer’s list price; Offeror’s pricing structure must remain firm through the term of the contract. The awarded contractor may update the manufacturer’s price list during the renewal period or as issued by the manufacturer to reflect new products, contractor price changes, and deletion of discontinued products, etc. However, all percentage discounts bid must remain firm (or increase) for the duration of the resulting contract.

b. Proposals must disclose and include any and all fees, costs or expenses to be charged for the goods and services provided.

c. Pricing must be all inclusive. Separate delivery costs are not permitted.

d. Shipping must be FOB Destination.

e. Delivery and any storage costs are the responsibility of the awarded contractor(s) and must be incorporated in proposal pricing and paid for by awarded contractor.

f. CMU is exempt from sales or use taxes. Do not include them in calculating price.

g. The contractor will arrange for the return of all erroneously ordered or shipped items at no cost to CMU.

There will be no restocking fee for returned items that were damaged or shipped by the contractor in error.

3. Right to Audit

a. CMU reserves the right to, at any time during the term of the contract, to “spot” check the awarded Offeror’s pricing to ensure contract compliance.

4. Silk Screening / Embroidery / Logo Development

a. Although the awarded Offeror may be requested to silk screen and embroidered uniforms prior to product being delivered, CMU reserves the rights to purchase silk screening and embroidery as needed from other vendors to cover its requirements. CMU may silk screen or embroider its logos, emblems and school markings on any purchased products, provided they do not violate contractor trademarks. CMU will, to the best of its ability, prohibit players or coaching staff from altering manufacturer’s logo in any way.

b. The awarded Offeror must provide free art development for logo screen printing, and free digitization

c. of logos for embroidery for products supplied by the contractor. In situations where significant custom

d. artwork is requested; additional charges may be applied.

5. Copyright/Trademark Issues

a. All original artwork, materials, electronic media, photographs, proofs, correct proofs, etc. are the property of CMU and shall be returned to the ordering department upon order fulfillment.

b. All logos may be required to be approved through CMU Marketing.

c. The awarded contractor(s) may not graphically alter logos from the approved colors, orientation or rendering.

The awarded contractor shall abide by all copyright and trademark laws and adhere to CMU official graphics standards.

6. Ordering

CMU will pay for orders using both credit cards and purchase orders, depending on need and cost of the total order. Awarded Offerors must be willing to accept CMU procurement cards for orders less than $9,999 (with no additional credit card fees). Purchase orders are required for orders over $10,000. Purchase Orders or orders by name are required on the shipping label.

7. Website

a. It is preferred that the contractor awarded provides a user-friendly website that allows CMU departments to view products and prices as well as place orders. The website display should display all products related to Athletic Apparel, not just limited to the few items listed in this RFP for sample pricing. Offerors must describe if/how their ordering websites meet the following functionality:

b. Company website showing products offered with description, sizes, minimum quantities, etc.

i. Website training.

8. Shipping, Shortages, Returns and/or Exchanges of Merchandise

Offers must indicate their company’s shipping, shortages, and return policies and outline procedures for the processing of shortages, returns and exchanges. Proposals must all outline procedure for obtaining accurate, appropriate credit memos.

9. NCAA Regulations

All proposal responses must be compliant in all respects to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (“NCAA”) and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (“RMAC”) rules and regulations. Proposal responses should not place CMU in any position of sanctions, violations or probation under NCAA or RMAC codes.

6. Schedule of Activities all times are Mountain Standard Times RFP Issue Date 10/29/2025 Written Inquiries Due 11/10/2025 at 11:00 AM MST Response to Written Inquiries 11/11/2025 Proposal Submission Deadline 11/19/2025 at 11:00 AM MST Oral Presentations (if necessary) Week 12/1/2025 (estimated) Notice of Award Week of 12/8/2025 (estimated) Contract Issued Week of 12/15/2025 (estimated)

7. Inquiries Offerors may make written, email inquiries concerning this RFP to obtain clarification of requirements. No inquiries will be accepted after the date and time indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Offerors shall confirm successful receipt of said inquiries.

For this RFP, send all inquiries to Tracey Cornwell, Purchasing Specialist/Buyer, at tcornwell@coloradomesa.edu.

Response to any Offeror's inquiries will be published as a modification on the RMEPS website and the University Open Solicitations website in a timely manner per the Schedule of Activities. Offerors should not rely on any other statements that alter any specification or other term or condition of the RFP.

8. Addendum or Supplement to Request for Proposal In the event that it becomes necessary to revise any part of this RFP, an addendum notice will be posted on the RMEPS website and the University Open Solicitations website. Bidders shall not rely on any other interpretations, changes, or corrections.

9. Written Inquiries and Responses Any explanation desired by an Offeror regarding the meaning or interpretation of any Request for Proposal provision must be submitted in writing and clearly marked with the RFP number and title. Inquiries can be emailed to the point of contact for the Request for Proposal; it is incumbent upon the Offeror to verify receipt of written inquiries.

Written responses to inquiries will be provided as an addendum to be posted on the RMEPS website and the University Open Solicitations website on the date shown in the Schedule of Activities.

10. Modification or Withdrawal of Proposals Proposals may be modified or withdrawn by the Offeror prior to the established submission due date and time.

11. Proposal Submission Proposals must be received on or before the date and time indicated in the Schedule of Activities. Bids will be accepted electronically through the RMEPS website. The Vendor Signature Form MUST be signed by the Offeror or an officer of the Offeror legally authorized to bind the Offeror to the proposal. The Vendor Signature Form is to be included with the proposal. Proposals which are determined to be at a variance with this requirement will not be accepted.

mailto:sellinwo@coloradomesa.edu

12. Acceptance of RFP Terms A proposal submitted in response to this RFP shall constitute a binding offer. Acknowledgment of this condition shall be indicated by the signature of the Offeror, or an officer of the Offeror legally authorized to execute contractual obligations. A submission in response to this RFP acknowledges acceptance by the Offeror of all terms and conditions including compensation, as set forth herein. An Offeror shall identify clearly and thoroughly any variations between its proposal and the University’s RFP. Failure to do so shall be deemed a waiver of any rights to subsequently modify the terms of performance, except as outlined or specified in the RFP.

13. Bid Opening Due to the complexity of this Proposal, information provided at the Bid Opening shall not be restricted. Inspection of the Offerors’ proposals will not be allowed until after the notice of intent to award if posted on the RMEPS website.

14. Oral Presentations/Site Visits The Evaluation Committee may conclude after the completion of the proposal evaluation that oral interviews/presentation and/or demonstrations are required to determine the successful Offeror. All Offerors may not have an opportunity to interview/present and/or give demonstrations. The presentation process will allow the Offerors to demonstrate their proposal offering, explaining and/or clarifying any unusual or significant elements related to their proposals. Offeror’s key personnel may be required to participate in a structured interview to determine their understanding of the requirements of this proposal, their authority and reporting relationships within their firm, and their management style and philosophy.

Detailed notes of oral interviews/presentations and/or demonstrations may be recorded and supplemental information (such as briefing charts, etc.) may be accepted. Additional written information gathered in this manner shall not constitute replacement of proposal contents. Once oral interviews/presentations and/or demonstrations have been completed, the University reserves the right to make a contract award without any further discussion with the Offerors regarding the proposals received. Any cost incidental to the oral interviews/presentations and/or demonstrations shall be borne entirely by the Offeror.

15. Protested Solicitations and Awards Any actual or prospective Offeror or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the solicitation or award of a contract may protest to the University Purchasing Director. The protest shall be submitted in writing within seven working days after such aggrieved person knows, or should have known, of the facts giving rise thereto. Reference Colorado Revised Statutes (CRS) Section 24-109-101 et. seq., 24-109-201 et. seq., and University Procurement Rules Section 18.C.1 through 18.C.9.]

With regard to the emphasized language above, it is important for Offerors to note that a challenge to the solicitation’s requirements or specifications should be made within 7 days of when the protested item is known. In other words, if you believe that the solicitation contains a requirement you want to protest, the protest should be submitted within the 7-day time period, even if that means it is filed during the time the solicitation is still open.

As noted in the paragraph above, announcement of the apparent winning Offeror will be made via a posting on the RMEPS website. The requirement for timely submission of any protest (7 working days) will begin on the first working day following posting of the award notice on the RMEPS website.

16. Confidential/Proprietary Information Any restrictions of the use or inspection of material contained within the proposal shall be clearly stated in the proposal itself. The Offeror must state specifically what elements of the proposal are to be considered confidential/proprietary. Confidential/proprietary information must be readily identified, marked, and separately packaged from the rest of the proposal. Co-mingling of confidential/proprietary and other information is NOT acceptable. Neither a proposal in its entirety, nor proposal price information will be considered confidential/proprietary. Any information that will be included in any resulting contract cannot be considered confidential.

17. RFP Response Material Ownership All material submitted regarding this RFP becomes the property of the University. Proposals may be reviewed by any person after the "Notice of Intent to Make an Award" letter has been issued, subject to the terms of § 24-72-201 et.seq. CRS, as amended, Public (open) Records.

18. Proposal Prices Estimated proposal prices are not acceptable. Proposal prices will be considered to be your best and final offer, unless otherwise stated in the RFP. The proposal price will be considered in determining the apparent successful Offeror.

19. Discussion with Responsible Offerors and Revisions to Proposal Discussions may be conducted with responsible Offerors who submit proposals determined to be reasonably susceptible of being selected for award; for the purpose of clarification to assure full understanding of, and responsiveness to, the solicitation requirement. Offerors shall be accorded fair and equal treatment with respect to any opportunity for discussions and revision of proposals, and such revisions may be permitted after submissions and prior to award, for the purpose of obtaining best and final offers. In conducting discussions, there shall be no disclosure of any information derived from proposals submitted by competing Offerors.

The University reserves the right to hold discussions with Offerors who have been found to be in the competitive range; such discussions may result in the University conducting Best & Final Offers.

20. Selection of Proposal As described within the RFP, an Evaluation Committee will review, score offers submitted and make a recommendation for award. The selection will be for award to the responsible Offeror whose proposal is determined to be most advantageous to the University. The Purchasing Department, after review and approval of the evaluation committee’s written recommendation, will notify all Offerors via a posting on the RMEPS website of the results of the RFP evaluation. The posting will be an announcement of the “Notice of Intent to Make an Award” will name the apparent successful Offeror.

21. Award of Contract The award will be made to the responsive and responsible Offeror whose proposal, conforming to the RFP, will be the most advantageous to the University, price and other factors considered. A contract must be completed and signed by all parties concerned. In the event the parties are unable to enter into a contract, the University may elect to cancel the “Notice of Intent to Make an Award” letter and make the award to the next most responsible Offeror.

22. Acceptance of Proposal Content The contents of the proposal (including persons specified to implement the project) of the successful Offeror will become contractual obligations if acquisition action ensues. Failure of the successful Offeror to accept these obligations in a contract may result in cancellation of the award and such Offeror may be removed from future solicitations. Under these conditions, the University reserves the right to enter into negotiations with the next ranking bidder on the same terms and conditions as set forth in the Request for Proposal.

23. Standard Contract The successful bidder will enter into a contract with the University. The state contract contains certain required provisions for doing business with the state of Colorado, labeled “Special Provisions.” The Special Provisions are required to be contained in every state contract without modification or exception. The Offeror shall include with its proposal a separate page entitled “Exceptions to Contract Terms,” setting forth in detail all objections and exceptions it may have to any other terms and provisions contained in the special provisions, and failing such, shall be deemed to have accepted such terms and provisions. Failure to accept the University’s standard contract provisions may result in cancellation of the award. The state contract, including the Special Provisions, is attached electronically as a separate PDF document.

24. RFP Cancellation The University reserves the right to cancel this Request for Proposal at any time, without penalty.

25. Ownership of Contract Products/Services Proposals, upon established opening time, become the property of the University. All products/services produced in response to the contract resulting from this RFP will be the sole property of the University unless otherwise noted in the RFP. The contents of the successful Offeror's proposal will become contractual obligations.

26. Incurring Costs The University is not liable for any cost incurred by Offerors prior to issuance of a legally executed contract. No proprietary interest of any nature shall accrue until a contract is awarded and signed by all concerned parties.

27. Non-Discrimination The Offeror shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules and regulations involving non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, or sex.

28. Rejection of Proposals The University reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive informalities and minor irregularities in proposals received and to accept any portion of a proposal or all items proposed if deemed in the best interest of the University.

29. Parent Company If an Offeror is owned or controlled by a parent company, the main office address and parent company's tax identification number shall be provided in the proposal. The tax identification number provided must be that of the Offeror responding to the RFP.

30. News Releases News releases pertaining to this RFP shall NOT be made prior to execution of the contract without prior written approval by the University.

31. Contract Cancellation The University reserves the right to cancel, for cause, any contract resulting from this RFP by providing timely written notice to the offeror.

32. Certification of Independent Price Determination A. By submission of this proposal, each Offeror, and in the case of a joint proposal, each party thereto, certified as to its own organization, that, in connection with this procurement:

1. The prices in this proposal have been reached independently, without consultation, communication, or agreement, for the purpose of restricting competition, as to any matter relating to such prices with any other Offeror or with any competitor.

2. Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been quoted in this proposal have not been knowingly disclosed by the Offeror and will not knowingly be disclosed by the Offeror prior to opening, directly or indirectly to any other Offeror or to any Competitor; and

3. No attempt has been made or will be made by the Offeror to induce any other person or firm to submit or not to submit a proposal for the purpose of restricting competition.

B. Each person signing the Vendor Signature Form of this proposal certified that:

1. They are the person in the Offeror's organization responsible within that organization for the decision as to the prices being offered herein and that they have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to (A)(1) through (A)(3) above; or

2. They are not the person in the Offeror's organization responsible within that organization for the decision as to the prices being offered herein but that they have been authorized in writing to act as agent for the persons responsible for such decision in certifying that such persons have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to (A)(1) through (A)(3) above, and as their agent does hereby so certify; and they have not participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to (A)(1) through (A)(3) above.

C. A proposal will not be considered for award where (A)(1), (A)(3), or (2) above has been deleted or modified.

Where (A)(2) above has been deleted or modified, the proposal will not be considered for award unless the Offeror furnishes with the proposal a signed statement which sets forth in detail the circumstances of the disclosure and the head of the agency, or their designee, determines that such disclosure was not made for the purpose of restricting competition.

33. Conflicts of Interest The holding of public office or employment is public trust. A public officer or employee whose conduct departs from their fiduciary duty is liable to the people of the state. Rules of conduct for public officers and state employees:

A. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt of commission of any act enumerated in this section is proof that the actor has breached their fiduciary duty.

B. A public officer or a state employee shall not:

1. Engage in a substantial financial transaction for their private business purposes with a person whom they inspect, regulate, or supervise in the course of their official duties.

2. Assist any person for a fee or other compensation in obtaining any contract, claim, license, or other economic benefit from their agency.

3. Assist any person for a contingent fee in obtaining any contract, claim, license, or other economic benefit from any state agency, or

4. Perform an official act directly and substantially affecting to its economic benefit a business or other undertaking in which they either have a substantial financial interest or is engaged as counsel, consultant, representative, or agent.

C. A head of a principal department or a member of a quasi-judicial or rule-making agency may perform an official act notwithstanding paragraph (4) of subsection (B) of this section if their participation is necessary to the administration of a statute and if they comply with the voluntary disclosure procedures under CRS section 24-18-110.

D. Paragraph (3) of subsection (B) of this section does not apply to a member of a board, commission, council, or committee if they comply with the voluntary disclosure procedures under CRS 24-18-110 and if they are not a full-time state employee. Reference CRS 24-18-108.

34. Taxes Colorado Mesa University, as purchaser, is exempt from all federal excise taxes under Chapter 32 of the Internal Revenue Code Registration No. 84-6000546) and from all state government use taxes (Ref. Colorado Revised

Statutes Chapter 39-26.114(a)). Our Colorado State Sales Tax Exemption Number is 98-03693. Seller is hereby notified that when materials are purchased in certain political subdivisions the seller may be required to pay sales tax even though the ultimate product or service is provided to the state of Colorado. This sales tax will not be reimbursed by the state.

35. Assignment and Delegation Except for assignment of antitrust claims, neither party to any resulting contract may assign or delegate any portion of the agreement without the prior written consent of the other party.

36. Availability of Funds Financial obligations of the University payable after the current fiscal year are contingent upon funds for that purpose being appropriated, budgeted, and otherwise made available. In the event funds are not appropriated, any resulting contract will become null and void, without penalty to the University and the state of Colorado.

37. Bid Bonds/Security If the RFP states, a bid security in an amount equal to 5% of your proposal shall be furnished if your proposal exceeds $50,000. If the specifications so state, it may be required for projects of less than $50,000. Not required for this Bid.

38. Contractor’s Performance Bond Not required for this Solicitation.

39. Standard Insurance Requirements A. The Offeror shall obtain, and maintain at all times during the term of this contract, insurance in the following kinds and amounts:

1. Workers’ Compensation Insurance as required by state statute, and Employer’s Liability Insurance covering all of offeror’s employees acting within the course and scope of their employment.

2. Commercial General Liability Insurance written on ISO occurrence form CG 00 01 10/93 or equivalent, covering premises operations, fire damage, independent offerors, products and completed operations, blanket contractual liability, personal injury, and advertising liability with minimum limits as follows:

i. $1,000,000 each occurrence.

ii. $2,000,000 general aggregate;

iii. $2,000,000 products and completed operations aggregate; and

iv. $50,000 any one fire.

3. Automobile Liability Insurance covering any auto (including owned, hired, and non-owned autos) with a minimum limit as follows: $1,000,000 each accident combined single limit.

B. Colorado Mesa University shall be named as additional insured on the Commercial General Liability and Automobile Liability Insurance policies (leases and construction contracts will require the additional insured coverage for completed operations on endorsements CG 2010 11/85, CG 2037, or equivalent). Coverage required of the contract will be primary over any insurance or self-insurance program carried by the University.

C. The Insurance shall include provisions preventing cancellation or non-renewal without at least 30 days prior notice to the University.

D. The offeror will require all insurance policies in any way related to the contract and secured and maintained by the offeror to include clauses stating that each carrier will waive all rights of recovery, under subrogation or otherwise, against the University, its agencies, institutions, organizations, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers.

E. All policies evidencing the insurance coverage required hereunder shall be issued by insurance companies satisfactory to the University.

F. The offeror shall provide certificates showing insurance coverage required by this contract to the University within seven business days of the effective date of the contract, but in no event later than the commencement of the services or delivery of the goods under the contract. No later than 15 days prior to the expiration date of any such coverage, the offeror shall deliver the state certificates of insurance evidence of renewals thereof. At any time during the term of this contract, the University may request in writing, and the offeror shall thereupon within 10 days supply to the University, evidence satisfactory to the University of compliance with the provisions of this section.

G. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, if the offeror is a “public entity” within the meaning of the Colorado Governmental Immunity Act CRS 24-10-101, et seq., as amended (“Act’), the offeror shall at all times during the term of this contract maintain only such liability insurance, by commercial policy or self-insurance, as is necessary to meet its liabilities under the Act. Upon request by the University, the contractor shall show proof of such insurance satisfactory to the University.

40. Independent Contractor Clause All personal service contracts must contain the following clause:

“The contractor shall perform its duties hereunder as an independent contractor and not as an employee.

Neither the contractor nor any agent or employee of the contractor shall be or shall be deemed to be an agent or employee of the state. Contractor shall pay when due all required employment taxes and income tax withholding, shall provide and keep in force worker’s compensation (and show proof of such insurance) and unemployment compensation insurance in the amounts required by law, and shall be solely responsible for the acts of the contractor, its employees and agents.”

41. Indemnification To the extent authorized by law, the contractor shall indemnify, save and hold harmless the University, its employees and agents, against any and all claims, damages, liability and court awards including costs, expenses, and attorney fees incurred as a result of any act or omission by the contractor or its employees, agents, subcontractors, or assignees pursuant to the terms of the contract resulting from this RFP.

42. Venue The laws of the state of Colorado, U.S.A. shall govern in connection with the formation, performance, and the legal enforcement of any resulting contract. Further, Title 24, C.R.S. as amended, Article 101 through 112 and Rules adopted to implement the statutes govern this procurement.

Section 2: Background, Overview, and Goals

1. Background Founded in 1925, Colorado Mesa University is a comprehensive regional public higher education institution offering liberal arts, professional, and technical programs at the master's, bachelor's, associate and certificate levels.

Colorado Mesa University takes great pride in providing educational opportunities and tools that help students succeed in today's complex and interconnected world. Colorado Mesa University or CMU’s focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that supports students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands. Colorado Mesa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

https://www.coloradomesa.edu/accreditation/index.html

Colorado Mesa University has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students with 15.4% of the university's student body coming from outside Colorado. The student population is 47% male, 53% female and 29% from traditionally underrepresented groups. The vast majority of students are traditional-aged students and enrolled in full-time study. Many students attend college while also working and caring for families, and Colorado Mesa University is proud to offer evening, online and distance education classes that allow non-traditional and working students the opportunity to further their educational attainment and advance in their professions.

2. Overview Colorado Mesa University has a strong winning tradition as a member of the NCAA Division II and Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Mavericks have more than 100 conference and regional titles. Currently 28 Colorado Mesa teams compete in intercollegiate varsity sports, intramural and club sports https://cmumavericks.com/. CMU offers more than 700 student athletes the opportunity to earn a degree while competing at a top Division II institution.

CMU boasts some of the finest facilities in the conference in its recently renovated athletic offices, field house, practice fields and El Pomar Natatorium.

The University has continuously undergone considerable campus growth year after year with steady additions to the campus facilities since 2006. At present, the University’s main campus in Grand Junction consists of over 2.4 million square feet of buildings encompassing 141 acres including academic buildings, sporting venues, residence halls, student union, and office space.

Colorado Mesa University marked a significant milestone in its 100th year with the official groundbreaking of Ember Food Hall located in the Formation District. A new dining facility designed to serve both the expanding campus and the greater Grand Junction community. Ember Food Hall is expected to open in August 2026.

Colorado Mesa University Centennial Village Student Housing project will add 324 beds within a five-story facility in CMU’s Formation District. Spanning 128,000 square feet, the project includes a ground-floor retail option and is expected to open in August 2026.

3. Goals Colorado Mesa University seeks to identify experienced athletic apparel and equipment contractor that will provide a full range of quality sports uniforms, practice apparel, team shoes, and related equipment and sponsorship.

CMU's visual identity can leave a lasting impression, so it's important we consistently use the visual identity elements to reinforce who we are as a brand. The visual identity includes logos, colors, typography and graphic imagery.

Colorado Mesa University does not represent, warrant, or guaranteed that CMU will procure any particular dollar value or particular quantity of products and apparent under any agreement resulting from this RFP. Apparel orders placed outside of the Athletics and Club/Intramural Sports departments are not included in the scope of this RFP. It is CMU’s intent for a 5-year contract to procure for the CMU Athletic Department.

Section 3: Statement of Work Colorado Mesa University aims to engage with an experienced contractor for high-quality athletic apparel and equipment. This partnership will support various sports teams with essential gear, ensuring optimal performance and representation. https://www.coloradomesa.edu/marketing/brand-kit/foundation/index.html

• Apparel: Game-day uniforms, practice apparel, and sideline gear (e.g., polos, t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, outerwear).

• Footwear: Athletic shoes for various sports, including performance and casual styles.

https://cmumavericks.com/ https://www.coloradomesa.edu/marketing/brand-kit/foundation/index.html

• Equipment: Hard goods such as balls, protective gear, training aids, and other sport-specific equipment.

• Accessories: Items like caps, socks, and bags.

• Sponsorship: Incentives and marketing commitments.

• Branding and customization: Our Brand, including logo placement, color specifications, and customization options for team uniforms.

Section 4: Offeror’s Response Format The contractor’s response format shall be structured to respond to each item listed in this section as well as those outlined in the Statement of Work. Responses should be prepared to bring clarity to the Contractor’s proposal and subsequent evaluation process, simply and economically, in a straight-forward and concise manner to fully describe the Contractor’s ability to meet the requirements of the RFP.

Describe the depth of resources available to services the University’s account. Provide three (3) referrals of comparable size as Colorado Mesa University, within Colorado, using your services. Include the following:

• Company Name & Address

• Contact Name & Title

• Current Phone Number

• Length of time serving the customer

Is your company currently for sale or involved in any transaction to expand or become acquired by another business entity? If yes, explain the future impact to the organizational and operational structure of your existing company.

Provide any details of past or impending litigation or claims filed against your company that would negatively impact your company’s performance under an agreement with Colorado Mesa University. Provide information on major accounts lost within the last three years and the reasons for the loss. Provide information on any past, current or anticipated claims (i.e., knowledge of pending claims) on respondent contracts; explain the litigation, the issue, and its outcome or anticipated outcome.

Section 5: Evaluation Process and Criteria

1. Evaluation Process All proposals submitted in response to this RFP will be reviewed for responsiveness prior to referral to the evaluation committee. Each response will be scored by each member of the Evaluation Committee in each of the following areas outlined in Section 4, Offeror’s Response Format and each area will be rated on a scale from 1-10 with ten being the highest rating and one being the lowest rating.

Colorado Mesa University reserves the right to award a single contract, or multiple contracts.

2. Evaluation Criteria

1. Pricing and discounts offered 30%

2. Experience and qualifications 25%

3. Scope and quality of product 25%

4. Customer service and support 15%

5. References and demonstrated experience 5%

While a numerical rating system may be used to assist the evaluation committee in selecting the competitive range (if necessary) and making the award decision, the award decision ultimately is a business judgment that will reflect an integrated assessment of the relative merits of the proposals using the factors and any relative weights if established.

3. Basis of Award The technical factors will be assessed based on the soundness of the Offeror’s approach and understanding of the requirements. The experience and/or demonstrated capabilities factor will be assessed by considering the extent to which the qualifications, experience, and past performance are likely to foster successful, on-time performance.

Assessments include a judgment concerning the potential risk of unsuccessful or untimely performance and the anticipated amount of University involvement necessary to ensure timely, successful performance. The selection is ultimately a business judgment that will reflect an integrated assessment of the relative merits of proposals using the factors identified above. The University reserves the right to reject any (or all) proposal(s) that pose in the judgment of the University, unacceptable risks of unsuccessful or untimely performance, unacceptable University resource requirements, or costs exceeding budget constraints.

Failure of the Offeror to provide any information requested in the RFP may result in disqualification of the proposal and shall be the responsibility of the Offeror.

Section 6: Required Submittals

• Vendor Signature Form

• All items requested in the body of the RFP.

VENDOR SIGNATURE FORM

Athletic Apparel and Equipment

Proposals Due: November 19, 2025, Time: 11:00 am MST

Bids will be accepted electronically through the Rocky Mountain ePurchasing System (RMEPS) website at https://www.rockymountainbidsystem.com. The RMEPS website offers both free and paid registration options that allow for full access of the solicitation documents and for electronic submission of proposals. [Note: Free registration on the site may take up to 24 hours to process; plan registration to allow time for on-time bid submission.] Colorado Mesa University does not have access or control of the vendor side of the RMEPS website, contact RMEPS directly to resolve any issues encountered prior to response deadline (800) 835-4603.

The Offeror herein noted has carefully examined all components, instructions and requirements of this RFP and proposes to furnish the services described herein. The undersigned hereby agrees to provide Athletic Apparel and Equipment on behalf of Colorado Mesa University in accordance with the specifications, requirements, terms, and conditions contained herein for the rates quoted.

The undersigned certifies that all representations, certifications, and statements within its proposal are true and accurate as of the date of the proposal submission. The person signing this Vendor Signature Form certifies that they are a duly authorized officer for the Offeror, and that the information and any materials enclosed with this proposal represent the capability of the company to provide the services described in the quote.

This Vendor Signature Form page MUST be signed for proposal to be valid.

COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING:

Federal Employer ID No. _________________________________ Date:_____________________________________

Company Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Authorized Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________

Typed/Printed Name: ________________________________________________________________________________

Title:______________________________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No.: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Contact for Clarifications:_____________________________________________________________________________

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________

Title: ______________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone No.: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Offeror Acknowledges Receipt of Addendum No. ____, ____, ____, ____ (Addendums MUST be acknowledged) https://www.rockymountainbidsystem.com/

Section 6: Required Submittals