ESBD_494239_1776193045881_RFP 2026-1184_Addendum #1.pdf

ADDENDUM #1

DATE: Tuesday, April 14, 2026

TO: All Proposers

FROM: Andrew Jaco, Project Manager, Office of Procurement

Services

SUBJECT: Texas Tech University RFP 2026-1184 Texas Tech

University Textbook, Course Material, and Merchandise Operations

NOTICE TO ALL PROPOSERS:

The following shall be incorporated into and become a part of the original Contract Documents and Specifications of the above-identified project.

You must acknowledge receipt of this Addendum by noting it on your proposal form.

Note: Properly submitted questions that are not answered in this Addendum will be included in subsequent Addenda.

Item #1:

Question 1: Please provide a category breakdown of textbook sales information from the past few years, including new, used, rental, digital, and inclusive access.

Answer: Please see Addendum Attachment B.

Question 2: Please provide a category breakdown of retail sales information from the past few years, including, but not limited to, trade books, clothing, computers/technology, convenience, gifts, etc.

Answer: Please see Addendum Attachment B.

Question 3: Are there any unamortized dollars that would be due to the current contractor by the University should you end your current partnership? If so, how much, and would the University look to the new contractor to pay this sum?

Answer: Store Remodel – Approximately $630,000.00

One-Time Payments – Approximately $100,000.00

Question 4: What percentage of overall sales in the current Raider Depot

Campus Store came from financial aid?

Answer: Please see Section 1.2 of the RFP for allocation of Financial Aid payments.

Question 5: Are there any sales reflected in the historical sales numbers that were a result of a one-time grant or other funding that will not occur in the future?

Answer: There are no instances of one-time grant-funded sales.

Question 6: What is the current process for TTU students to utilize their financial aid funds through the current Raider Depot Campus Store?

Answer: Please see Section 1.2 of the RFP for allocation of Financial Aid payments.

Question 7: Which term would the new bookstore partner begin serving the TTU campus population?

Answer: Any awarded Contracts would start prior to the end of the existing contract to enable a smooth transitional period and availability for the next TTU orientation. This timeframe is dependent on final award date and will be a part of any negotiation period between an awarded Proposer and TTU.

Question 8: Does TTU utilize a Campus Card that can be used to purchase materials in the bookstore? If so, what company is used to manage it?

Answer: Please see Section 1.2 of the RFP for information on Campus

Card programs.

Question 9: Does TTU own the current bookstore fixtures?

Answer: The current bookstore fixtures are not owned by TTU.

Question 10: Would the university consider a proposal that would be for merchandise/fan gear only, and exclude course materials?

Answer: TTU will consider a Proposal for any one portion or combination of portions of the requested scope in the RFP.

Question 11: Given that Follett estimates that the TTU Online program comprises approximately $1MM in annual sales for the current bookstore, would Texas Tech be willing to review a proposal which includes the TTU Online program

Answer: Per Section 1.1 of the RFP, “The Scope of this RFP will not include TTU’s online education program or the K-12 program (defined as a student where 100% of the coursework is online).TTU has an existing contract arrangement with a company to provide bookstore services to students who are classified as 100% online. ”

Question 12: Would TTU consider a managed services fee structure for the print center, or does TTU require a commission/revenue-share model consistent with the bookstore?

Answer: TTU would entertain alternative business models but will select the business model that best supports TTU’s mission. If any proposed business model does not provide best value, TTU may elect to “not award” this option.

Question 13: What are TTU's expectations for capital equipment investment by the awarded proposer — will TTU provide a transition allowance or expect the proposer to fund new equipment?

Answer: Please see Section 2.3.1 of the RFP for information about Capital

Equipment. Installation and/or upgrades to Capital Equipment will need to be reviewed and approved, in writing by TTU.

Question 14: Will TTU require the awarded proposer to extend employment offers to current CopyMail staff, and are there any applicable state employment or union obligations?

Answer: TTU does not have any union requirements. We would hope the proposer would extend an offer for existing staff, but this is not a mandate.

Question 15: Does TTU have any existing managed print contracts elsewhere on campus (outside the SUB print shop) that the awarded proposer would be expected to absorb or respect?

Answer: TTU does not have managed print contracts, and this is not a requirement for the campus.

Question 16: What is the square footage of the current CopyMail space in the SUB basement, and is TTU open to reconfiguring the layout as part of the proposal?

Answer: The existing space is 1,259.90 square feet. TTU is open to conversations about reconfiguring the layout as long as it stays within the current footprint.

Question 17: Is the print shop space being offered under the same lease structure as the bookstore, and will the proposer be responsible for its own janitorial and maintenance within that space?

Answer: If the print shop service is awarded on this RFP, the leasing structure will be similar to the bookstore and be negotiated as part of the Contract Negotiation phase of the solicitation.

There is an option to contract maintenance and janitorial services through the Student Union, which is the preferred method.

Question 18: Does TTU envision the print center as a standalone operation or integrated into the bookstore experience (e.g., co-located services, shared staffing, or bundled student offerings)?

Answer: TTU will consider all proposed business models.

Question 19: What reporting cadence and metrics will TTU require from the print center operator, and will print center data need to be included in the monthly Bookstore Advisory Team meetings?

Answer: Reporting metrics for any print center operation would include standard sales and costs data. These reports would be independent of the bookstore reporting.

Question 20: Please provide gross sales by category for the past three fiscal years.

Answer: Please see Addendum Attachment B.

Question 21: Please provide a list of the college-owned FF&E (furniture, fixtures & equipment) that will remain in the store if the College transitions to a new bookstore provider.

Answer: Please see Section 2.3.1 of the RFP for information about Capital

Equipment.

Question 22: Please provide a detailed floor plan of the bookstore location.

Answer: Please see Addendum Attachment A.

Question 23: What other school expenses must the campus store pay for

(utilities, phone, internet trash etc.) and what are those costs?

Answer: Please see Section 2.1.1 – 2.1.2 of the RFP for expenses that are the responsibility of the Successful Proposer(s), and Section 2.1.3 of the RFP for expenses that are the responsibility of TTU.

Question 24: Are there any plans to move or alter the current bookstore location?

Answer: There are not currently plans to move or alter the current bookstore by TTU. If the Proposer plans to alter the bookstore, it will be at the Proposer’s cost and must be approved, in advance, by TTU.

Question 25: Is it the desire of the institution for the chosen vendor to retain the bookstore’s current full-time employees? If so, please provide a listing of the current full-time employees and each of their attributable annual salaries

Answer: TTU finds value in utilizing employees who are familiar with the campus and faculty. This is not a mandatory requirement.

Question 26: What are the current challenges with your existing bookstore operations that you would like to see addressed?

Answer: Only approximately 13% of the adopted material is purchased through the store. The remaining 87% could be purchased elsewhere or not at all.

Faculty engagement and relationships.

Innovation in design, marketing, outreach, and overall experience.

Turnaround time for in-store general merchandise products associated with time-sensitive events (e.g., March Madness, College Football Playoffs, College GameDay, etc.)

Question 27: What is the bookstore’s role in selling/distributing graduation caps and gowns?

Answer: Per Sections 1.1 and 1.3 of the RFP, TTU is seeking an operation that partners with the TTU Commencement Office to supply graduation regalia, including caps and gowns. TTU cannot restrict rentals/purchases made off campus.

Question 28: How are you calculating that an estimated 13% of adopted material is going through the bookstore.

Answer: TTU has sales data for adopted sales through the bookstore, which accounts for approximately 13% of available sales (assuming that 100% of adoptions are ultimately being purchased).

Question 29: In regards to the package distribution piece in the RFP.

Would the contractor need to incorporate the cost of the process in our standard expenses or would the campus subsidize this process if there is no revenue attached to the program?

Answer: Package distribution is considered a supplemental Proposal and should be isolated from any Proposal of the primary Services requested. TTU reserves the right to award to any combination of Proposed services.

Question 30: Please describe how students utilize their financial aid in the campus store and if there are any restrictions?

Answer: Please see Section 1.2 of the RFP for allocation of Financial Aid payments.

Question 31: Has there been any study or estimate on how much course material business Varsity Books is doing?

Answer: TTU has not conducted a study.

Item #2:

Please change Section 4.2.1 (Schedule of Events) under SECTION 4 ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS to read as follows:

Proposal Due Date Monday, May 4, 2026, 1:30 PM CST

END OF ADDENDUM #1