DPC-2464874070-MT - Bid Addendum 01 Q&A (Required).pdf

North Carolina STC Addendum Version Date: 5/2024

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Solicitation Addendum

FAILURE TO RETURN THIS ADDENDUM SHALL SUBJECT YOUR RESPONSE TO REJECTION.

1. The Solicitation is hereby modified as follows:

Refer to the RFP for the original language in the solicitation that is being modified

Issuing Agency: Division of Purchase and Contract

Solicitation Number: DPC-2464874070-MT (Previously DPC-2373536849-MT)

Solicitation Description: Promotional Items (Higher Education Institutions)-Rebid

Bid Opening Date & Time: November 18, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET

Addendum Number: 01

Addendum Date: November 4, 2026

Procurement Lead: Melinda Tomlinson

Modification

Current Solicitation Language Updated Solicitation Language

1. 4.1 Pricing The Vendor shall submit pricing in accordance with the instructions in ATTACHMENT: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK and all other relevant terms and conditions of this RFP. Complete ATTACHMENT: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK and upload it to the Sourcing Tool. The pricing provided in ATTACHMENT: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK or resulting from any negotiations, is incorporated herein and shall become part of any resulting contract.

Vendors may submit pricing options as applicable to options for:

1. all 17 NC System Universities (UNC), or

2. all 58 NC Community Colleges, or

3. all 75 NC public Higher Education Institutions (universities + community colleges),

4. or individual institution(s)

Selections shall be based on vendor established licensing agreement(s) with institutions.

Vendors shall identify the applicable institution(s) to which each pricing offer applies in

ATTACHMENT: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK.

The items listed in Attachment: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK are generic examples only and are not tied to specific products or brands, for the purpose of evaluation. Vendors should propose pricing based on their standard, commercially reasonable offerings for each item category, ensuring consistent assumptions are applied throughout the pricing form. Detailed product features, decoration requirements, and sustainability attributes will not be assessed at the line-item level; these will be defined by the purchasing entity at the time of order, in accordance with the contract.

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Modification

Current Solicitation Language Updated Solicitation Language

Vendors may source products from different manufacturers. The pricing for each line item in Attachment: COST PROPOSAL WORKBOOK should reflect the manufacturer's actual cost.

Vendors must apply the same discount percentage uniformly to all items in a category, regardless of the manufacturer.

The Vendor shall demonstrate reasonableness of price by offering the Percentage Discount to North Carolina that is the same or better than what is provided in a current contract, to similarly situated governmental entities (i.e., other State contracts, GSA, NASPO ValuePoint, Veterans Administration, Department of Defense, or other governmental entities). If the Vendor is unable to offer the Percentage Discount to NC that is the same or better than given to other similarly situated governmental entities, Vendor shall include with the response a brief explanation as to why they are unable to do so. The State reserves the right to request further information, such as copies of other governmental contracts, to determine the reasonableness of the price offered.

2. Attachment: Cost Proposal Workbook (the updated workbook has been uploaded to Section

5.1 of the Sourcing Event in Ariba).

Revision:

1. ‘Instructions’ tab has been updated based on Modification #1.

2. ‘Institution Selection’ tab has been added based on Modification #1.

3. ‘Cost Proposal’ tab has been updated based on Modification #1.

4. ‘Cost Proposal’ tab has been updated to correct the formula for item #9 under

Categories 2-6.

PREVIOUS VERSIONS HAVE BEEN WITHDRAWN. FAILURE TO SUBMIT OFFERS ON THE

CORRECT FORM SHALL BE SUBJECT TO REJECTION.

3. Collegiate License Verification form has been updated.

DPC-2373536849-MT Collegiate License Verification Form

The Collegiate License Verification form has also been uploaded to the Sourcing Event.

3. The table below shows the intended schedule for this RFP. The State will make every effort to adhere to this schedule. (*Date is subject to change.)

Event Responsibility Date and Time

Issue RFP State November 4 2026

Submit Written Questions Vendor N/A Provide Responses to Questions State N/A Submit Proposals/Bid Opening Vendor November 18, 2026*

Microsoft Teams Meeting

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 232 473 536 944 138

Passcode: eb7fR2i3

Dial in by phone

1-984-204-1487; Conference ID:

182622348 United States, Raleigh

VENDORS MUST SUBMIT PRICING ON THE PRICING FORM DATED 11.4.26 OR

10.19.2026 TO BE CONSIDERED RESPONSIVE AND CONSIDERED FOR FURTHER

EVALUATION AND AWARD.

https://www.doa.nc.gov/collegiate-licence-verification-1-promotional-items/open https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/23891826533289?p=mcE2jGGUZ1JykuDE79 tel:+19842041487,,333654207 tel:+19842041487,,333654207 Melinda Tomlinson Cross-Out

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2. The following are questions received about the Solicitation and the State’s response:

Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

1. 2.2 E-Procurement Fee

Will there be Eprocurement fees charged for the promotional items sold at the Universities through this contract? Thanks for clarification.

The NC eProcurement Fee of 1.75% will not apply to this contract.

2. 5.6 Product and Catalog Offering

Will the State accept and consider a proposal limited exclusively to challenge coins, badges, pins, and patches, without requiring the Vendor to offer every item listed under Category 5 or any other category?

If so, under which category or categories should these four products be proposed?

If this limited offering is permitted, how should the Vendor complete the Cost Proposal Workbook and published catalog requirements for category market-basket items it does not offer?

May those items be marked “Not Offered” without making the proposal non-responsive?

The RFP does not require Vendors to provide every representative item listed in a product category. Vendors should use the RFP’s description to determine which category applies.

Note: Vendors proposing items in Category 6 must also offer products in at least two (2) other categories.

Modification

Current Solicitation Language Updated Solicitation Language

Phone conference ID: 182 622 348#

Intended Contract Award State TBD

4. Section 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog has been replaced in its entirety with the following language:

Vendors are not required to implement a Line-Item Catalog or Punch-Out Catalog through the NC eProcurement System. Higher Education Institutions may use their own procurement systems and ordering platforms.

Vendors should describe their proposed catalog, marketplace, or ordering solution and be prepared to support the procurement and supplier onboarding requirements of the individual institution(s) they serve.

Vendors may provide Ordering Instructions for an external e-commerce site, hosted catalog, marketplace, or other ordering solution, provided the solution supports the institution's purchasing and payment requirements and is consistent with the Vendor's proposed service model.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

3. 5.6 Product and Catalog Offering

Would an award, if made, be limited to the four products expressly proposed, with no obligation to source or fulfill other products in the assigned category or categories?

In accordance with Section 4.14, Vendors must provide their entire catalog of products within the solicitation defined six (6) categories.

Additionally, in accordance with Section 5.6 if the category proposed is within Category 6: Other Promotional Merchandise, at least two (2) other categories must be offered

4. 4.15 Definitions ("Partner Supplier") If a decoration partner/supplier holds the collegiate license and the prime Vendor does not, does this satisfy Sec 4.15? Or must the license be held in the prime Vendor's name?

No. The awarded Vendor must hold the applicable collegiate license.

5. 1.0 Purpose and Background

(Eligible users): Will Vendors added through this solicitation be available only to Higher Education Institutions? Or will they be available to all users of STC 8014B, including State agencies and non-mandatory entities, for example NC Agriculture?

The State intends to add Vendors to Statewide Term Contract (STC) #8014B solely to meet the unique branding needs of Higher Education Institutions. Newly awarded Vendors will provide products and services exclusively to those institutions.

6. 5.3 Scope of Work

6.2 Electronic

Product Catalog

Sec 5.3.1 (A) vs. Sec 6.2 5.3.1(A) Refers to a catalog "consistent with the Vendors punch-out site," while Sec.6.2 allows a line-item catalog of up to 5,000 products. Is a punch-out catalog required, or is a line-item catalog acceptable on its own?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

Section 5.3.1(A) is applicable and required to be responded to.

7. Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

Cost Proposal Workbook, decoration assumptions: For the market- basket items, what imprint method, number of colors/stitch count and imprint locations should Vendors assume, so that pricing is comparable?

The RFP does not specify an imprint method, number of colors or stitch count, or imprint location for the market basket items.

Vendors should use the standard decoration method most commonly applied to that product type in the standard catalog.

8. 4.11 Authorized Distributor/Reseller

Promotional-products distributors typically buy through established supplier accounts rather than under format manufacturer authorization agreements. Would an active supplier account, with a supplier letter provided on request, satisfy the "Authorization requirement"?

Yes.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

9. General RFP What is the deadline for submission, and can this be submitted fully online or are we required to mail a copy as well?

Proposals are due no later than the bid opening date stated in the most recent addendum. Any changes to the RFP schedule will be announced via an addendum posted to the Ariba Sourcing tool.

10. 3.1 Method of Award

How many contracts will be awarded?

Please refer to Section 3.1 of the RFP.

11. 4.1 Pricing states: “…Detailed product features, decoration requirements, and sustainability attributes will not be assessed at the line-item level;

these will be defined by the purchasing entity at the time of order, in accordance with the contract.”

There is no decoration or logo information listed in the RFP (one color/one location or >6000 stitches/one location), we are only pricing blank products under each category in the Cost Proposal excel workbook?

Yes. Pricing of products is intended to be priced separately from detailed product features, decoration requirements, and sustainability attributes. See Section 4.1.1 Additional Fees.

12(a). 4.14 Vendor’s Published Catalog & Lists states: “As a result of this Contract, Vendors shall provide its entire catalog of products…”

Is it required that the Vendor has or is willing to provide for the State of NC a line item or punch out catalog to participate in this RFP bid?

No. See Modification #4.

Section 4.14 refers to the vendor providing the availability of its entire catalog of products, consistent with what is offered on it’s website containing all products offered, under the vendor proposed Categories.

12(b). 4.14 Vendor’s Published Catalog & Lists

If it is not a requirement, how will the UNC System buyer locate our contact information to get quotes and place orders?

See # 13(a).

12(c). 4.14 Vendor’s Published Catalog & Lists

For the universities that currently have their own marketplace with suppliers punch out catalogs in place which catalog will the UNC System buyer be required to purchase from? The State of NC or their individual universities marketplace?

For promotional items covered by the mandatory STC, buyers must purchase from the STC awarded catalogs and pricing, regardless of the individual marketplace’s punchout catalog.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

13(a). 5.4 Implementation and Communication Plan

5.4.1a states: “Provide a detailed schedule with key milestones for contract start-up, including catalog launch, order processing readiness, and system integration with the NC eProcurement System (if applicable), based on catalog type selection in 6.2.”

6.2 states: “Vendors have two (2) options to select for managing products using the NC E- Procurement Services to develop and manage a catalog solution.

1. Line-Item Catalog

2. Punch-Out Catalog”

If it is a requirement that the Vendor provide a catalog, which line item/punch out catalog software provider(s) are compatible with the State of NC e-procurement system and/or Ariba?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

13(b). 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

If it is a requirement that the Vendor provide a catalog, will the State be flexible on the timeline to create a punch out catalog; 6.2.2a only allows for 30 days?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

14. 4.15 Collegiate Licensing Verification

We hold CLC and Affinity licenses. Is that sufficient to participate in RFP Solicitation # DPC-2373536849-MT?

Or do we also need a license with a specific college or university within the North Carolina system?

Vendors are required to hold a license or license agreement with at least one (1) NC-based public Higher Education Institution.

15. General RFP THE ORIGINAL (2025) RFP FOR

HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

OFFERED THE CHOICE BETWEEN

"ALL STATE OF NC", OR TO SELECT 1

(OR MORE) REGIONS TO BE

APPROVED FOR.

IS THIS STILL AN OPTION? OR IS

THIS ONLY AN ALL STATE

CONTRACT?

No. The previous geographical coverage option is not applicable to this re-solicitation. The State intends to only add Vendors to STC# 8014B to meet the unique branding needs of Higher Education Institutions. Newly awarded Vendors will provide products and services exclusively to the institutions with which they have a licensing agreement.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

16. General RFP Can the submission deadline be extended for this RFP? Currently there would only be 1 week between seeing the answers to questions and submitting the final proposal. This RFP is a very heavy lift, requiring a lot of information and work. Completing that in a week’s time would be very challenging

See updated Bid Opening Date, within Addendum 4 Header.

17(a). General RFP Will higher education units be using the same e-catalog as state agencies?

No. See Modification #4. Vendors may coordinate directly with individual institutions to discuss e-catalog structure and institution-specific requirements.

17(b). 4.1 Pricing If so, how will royalties be charged to universities that require them for departmental giveaway purchases?

As an example, if we have a pen listed for $1 in the e-catalog as a base price that we would sell to someone in a state agency (non-royalty bearing), but someone at the university purchases that same pen, where we would have to pay a 10% royalty, how would we bill/collect that $0.10/unit royalty amount? Would we be allowed to bill it as an overage based on the university and applicable royalty rate that would apply?

Royalty fees shall not be a part of the STC pricing. Any royalty fees must be addressed by the Vendor and individual Higher Education Institution as a separate agreement between the Vendor and the institution, to include how royalty fees will be assessed on orders.

18. 4.1 Pricing When submitting any pricing information pertaining to this RFP, should we assume no royalties and only quote a base price?

Yes.

19(a). 4.1 Pricing Given that individual Higher Education Institutions utilize different trademark licensing agencies (e.g., CLC, Affinity) with varying royalty rates, how should Vendors account for royalty fees in the Cost Proposal Workbook?

See response to 18(b).

19(b). 4.1 Pricing Will they be treated as an allowable 'Additional Fee' under 4.1.1 at the time of order fulfillment?

See response to #18(b).

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

20. 4.1 Pricing States that the cost workbook reflects generic items and that decoration requirements are defined at the time of order. Since standard decoration setups are included in 4.1.1, how should Vendors factor multi-color logos, multi-location imprints, or specialized decoration techniques (e.g., embroidery stitch counts) into the uniform category discount?

Detailed decoration needs will be defined at the time of order. Vendors should provide decoration related costs as Additional Fees on the Cost Proposal Workbook.

21. 4.1 Pricing Allows for temporary tariff surcharges. If a Vendor’s manufacturing partner implements a raw material or tariff surcharge mid-contract, what is the exact review and approval timeline for the State to authorize that cost adjustment on the electronic catalog?

Review and approval timelines are contingent upon the vendor's timely submission of all required supporting documentation necessary to substantiate and justify the request.

22. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

For Vendors selecting the Punch- Out Catalog Solution (6.2.2), if the Vendor uses a data feed to bring in the base item pricing and that pricing is automatically updated daily based on the feed, as long as the Vendor discount remains the same percentage, does that satisfy the requirements listed in this RFP?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

Yes. The RFP allows dynamic pricing feeds as long as the contract discount is consistently applied and the catalog remains accurate and up to date.

23. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Requires the capability to 'block' specific items designated by the State. Will the State provide a standardized list of restricted products prior to catalog launch, or will these blocks be requested on an ad-hoc basis by individual institutions?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

24. 5.3 Scope of Work 5.3.1(B)(3) dictates a 5-business-day turnaround for rush orders from the time of final proof approval.

Will individual institutions be capped on the maximum quantity allowed for a 5-day rush order, or must Vendors fulfill any volume order within that window?

Vendors must fulfill rush orders within the required timeframe for all quantities that are reasonably achievable (unless an item requires an extended fulfillment timeline), which must be disclosed at the time of order placement and clearly identified in the Vendor’s catalog.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

25. 4.6 On-Time Delivery Rate

In the event of custom overseas production or severe manufacturer supply chain back-orders, will individual purchasing entities have the authority to bypass the standard 10-day delivery rule via written waiver without penalizing the Vendor's 95% On-Time Delivery Rate?

Yes, see Section 4.5, paragraph 2. This should also be reported within report for Section 6.3.5.

26. General RFP Is the $6,085,000 estimated spend for the entire statewide contract or specifically for higher education purchases?

The estimated spend is based on State Agencies. The State has not historically tracked university spend. The state reasonably estimates spend with universities to extensively surpass the State Agency spend, due to the nature of university paraphernalia.

27. General RFP How many Vendors does the state intend to award for this contract?

See Section 3.1 of the RFP.

28. General RFP Will Vendors awarded under this solicitation be added to the existing STC 8014B or be issued a separate contract?

Newly awarded Vendors will be added to the existing STC #8014B, specifically for Higher Education Learning Institutions only.

29. Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

Are the quantities provided for each item in the Cost Proposal tab of the workbook intended to represent a single order quantity or an estimated annual quantity across multiple orders and/or multiple institutions?

The Cost Proposal Tab is intended to be utilized for evaluation purposes only. The quantities represented are based on representation of an annual quantity, across multiple State Agencies. This is not representation of actual intended estimates for Higher Learning Educational Institutions.

30. Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

For the Price List Date, should Vendors enter the date the published price list took effect (e.g., 1/1/26) or the date through which it is valid (e.g., 12/31/26)?

The Price List Date should refer to the date the published price list took effect.

31. Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

There is an error in the formulas for Item 9 in Categories 2 - 6 (cells L35, L49, L63, L77, and L92). The formulas reference the Item 8 row rather and the Item 9 row. Will the State issue a corrected workbook, or should each Vendor correct these formulas in our own workbook submission?

See Modification #2.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

32. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Ariba / Catalog Solution Requirement - 6.2.3 appears to require Vendors to select either a Line-Item Catalog or Punch-Out Catalog solution. Please confirm whether one of these two catalog solutions is mandatory, or whether the State will consider an alternative ordering and billing solution that meets the functional requirements of the RFP.

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

33. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Ariba Integration - Please clarify the extent to which Ariba integration is required. Is the expectation that the awarded Vendor’s ordering solution must integrate directly with Ariba, or may a Vendor provide an external e-commerce/catalog solution while supporting the State’s required invoicing and payment processes?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

34. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Alternative to Punch-Out If a Vendor cannot provide its promotional-product marketplace through an Ariba Punch-Out Catalog, may the Vendor propose its existing marketplace as an alternative solution and describe the associated ordering, approval, billing, and payment workflow?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

35. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Credit Card / P-Card Transactions For users who purchase promotional products using a purchasing card or credit card, may those transactions be completed directly through the Vendor’s e-commerce marketplace rather than through Ariba?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

36. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Invoicing as an Alternative Payment Method 6.7 addresses invoicing requirements. Please confirm whether invoicing may be used for orders placed through a Vendor-hosted catalog or marketplace outside of an Ariba Punch-Out environment, provided the invoices comply with the State’s invoicing requirements.

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

37. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Existing UNC Purchasing Processes For UNC System institutions that already purchase promotional products from a Vendor through an established marketplace, invoicing, fund-code, or credit-card process, may those existing ordering and payment processes continue under the resulting contract?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

38. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Institution-Specific Purchasing Methods Will all participating entities be required to use the same ordering and payment method, or may individual institutions use different approved methods—for example, invoice, fund code, purchasing card/credit card, or other established purchasing processes?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

39. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Catalog Pricing / Discounts For products offered through an existing Vendor marketplace, does the State require contract-specific discounted pricing to be displayed in the catalog, or may Vendors offer their standard marketplace pricing and apply applicable customer-specific or institutional discounts at the time of purchase?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

40. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

Existing Institutional Agreements Where a participating UNC institution already has an agreement with the Vendor that includes established pricing, incentives, billing arrangements, or other commercial terms, should those existing terms remain in effect, or would purchases under this solicitation be

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

If an individual institution maintains a current active contract, the institution maintains the option to continue through the contract term or utilize the STC.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

41. 2.3 Notice to Vendors Regarding RFP Terms and Conditions

RFP Reference: 2.3 Notice to Vendors Regarding RFP Terms and Conditions The RFP states that the State rejects modified terms submitted with the Vendor’s bid, except through negotiations under 01 NCAC 05B.0503. If a Vendor has specific terms and conditions that we are unable to comply with as currently written, will the State allow us the opportunity to mutually negotiate these specific terms post-award under the provisions of 01 NCAC 05B.0503, or will a bid containing exceptions to these terms be disqualified during evaluation?

Terms are negotiated pre-award.

The Vendor shall identify in its proposal any specific terms and conditions for which it seeks to negotiate.

42. 2.3 Notice to Vendors Regarding RFP Terms and Conditions

RFP Reference: 2.3 Notice to Vendors Regarding RFP Terms and Conditions To fully execute and support the required scope of work, certain terms and conditions may need to be incorporated into the final agreement. Can the State clarify the best process for introducing necessary commercial terms and conditions that are not currently covered in the RFP?

The Vendor shall identify in its proposal any specific terms and conditions for which it seeks to incorporate.

43. General RFP We are having issues downloading this file - can you please send it to us?

CERTIFICATION FOR FEDERAL

CONTRACTS, GRANTS, LOANS, AND

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS

Solicitation Attachments can be found at https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/purchase-contract under Vendor Resources.

44. 4.1 Pricing

6.12 Price

Adjustments

For pricing based on a percentage discount off manufacturers' published list prices, may contract prices follow manufacturers' published list price changes during the first year, with the discount percentage held constant? Or are list prices fixed for the first year?

Yes. Contract prices may follow manufacturer list price changes provided the discount percentage remains constant.

https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/purchase-contract https://www.doa.nc.gov/divisions/purchase-contract

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

45. 4.27 GENAI

Solutions or Services

7.1 Terms and

Conditions Applicable to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”)

Our proposed solution (promotional products and decoration services) does not include AI. Internally, we use an enterprise generative AI tool to draft communications and prepare reports. A person reviews every output, and the provider does not train its models on our data. Since 7.1(2) prohibits processing State data with AI without approval, should we:

(a) check "Not Applicable" on the attachment, or

(b) complete the attachment to describe this internal use?

If (b), may questions about developing or training AI models be answered as not applicable, since we do not build or train models?

If the Vendor’s proposed solution does not use AI or GenAI features and the Vendor’s internal AI tools do not process any State data, the Vendor may select “Not Applicable”. If internal AI tools do pro process State data, Vendor must complete the attachment in full.

46. 1.0 Purpose and Background

6.11 Collegiate

Licensing Maintenance

Once awarded, may a Vendor sell unbranded or non-collegiate-mark promo items to any State entity, or only to institutions where we hold a license?

No. Newly awarded Vendors will be authorized to sell items only to the NC public higher education learning institutions with which they are licensed.

47. Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

Cost Workbook: Should market basket unit prices include decoration, or blank product only?

Market basket items should reflect base product only.

48. 4.1 Pricing The workbook says pricing should reflect the manufacturer's actual cost. Should we enter the manufacturer's list price with our discount applied, or our net cost?

Vendors must enter the manufacturer’s published list price with the contract discount applied. Net cost should not be used unless it matches the manufacturer’s published list price basis.

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

49. 4.1 Pricing Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

Pricing basis: 4.1 says market-basket pricing should reflect the manufacturer’s actual cost and that the same discount percentage must be applied uniformly across all items within a category.

Please clarify what the State means by “manufacturer’s actual cost.” Is this the manufacturer’s published list price/MSRP, distributor net cost, or another figure?

Should Vendors use published end-column pricing or distributor EQP/net pricing as the pricing basis?”

Manufacturer’s actual cost refers to the manufacturer’s published list price used as the pricing basis across all items with a uniform category discount. Vendors should not use the EQP/net distributor cost or unpublished pricing.

50. 4.1 Pricing Additional Fees, and 5.3.1 Tasks and Deliverables, paragraph B.2;

Attachment Cost Proposal Workbook, Fees, Discounts, Services tab Decoration charges:

The RFP allows disclosure of setup, artwork, rush, shipping and other charges, but clarification would prevent inconsistent pricing among bidders.

Are we including decoration costs within the cost basis? ie- include a 1 color imprint/ 1 location decoration method.

No. See Section 4.1.1 Additional Fees.

Decoration charges (setup, imprint, embroidery, rush, artwork, etc) be listed as Additional Fees.

51. 4.1 Pricing

4.3 Product

Identification

Att: Cost Proposal Workbook

Market basket equivalency: When a Vendor does not carry the exact market-basket specification, what degree of variation will qualify as a “comparable” product? When sku’s are not provided, Vendors will be quoting a variety of products within that category making it difficult to compare. We will not be comparing apples to apples.

Comparable items must match the category, general function, and typical product attributes. Variations are permitted, but items must be representative of the category.

52. 4.1 Pricing

4.15 Collegiate

Licensing Verification

University licensing royalties: Are collegiate licensing royalties to be included in the quoted contract price, or may licensing/royalty charges be separately itemized when applicable?

See response to #18(b).

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Document Section Vendor Question State’s Response

53. 4.14 Vendor’s Published Catalog & Lists

5.6 Product and

Catalog Offering

Catalog requirement: Does our website qualify as an “entire catalog”? Or are you asking us to create a catalog specially for this

RFP.

A Vendor’s website alone does not qualify as an “entire catalog”. Vendors must provide a published catalog or price list consistent with the products shown on their punch-out site.

54. 6.2 Electronic Product Catalog

3.5 Evaluation

Criteria

Punchout versus line-item catalog:

May the awarded Vendor select the line-item catalog instead of developing a punchout catalog, and are the two options treated equally for evaluation purposes? We offer both options as solutions, is one preferred over the other?

Section 6.2 is no longer a requirement. See Modification #4.

55. 1.0 Purpose and Background

2.5 Proposal

Questions

Will the State provide the questions, answers, and addenda from the prior solicitation that established Statewide Term Contract 8014B? If available, please provide the prior solicitation number and a link or copies of those documents.

The addenda from the previous solicitation have been incorporated into the currently posted solicitation.

ALL OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS REMAIN THE SAME

Vendor Name:

Authorized Signature:

Name & Title:

Date:

Solicitation Addendum