Beverage Pouring Rights and Sponsorship

Delaware State University's Office of Procurement, Purchasing, Contracts and Data Administration is seeking an exclusive Beverage Pouring Rights and Sponsorship vendor through a Request for Proposals (RFP) process (Contract No. DSU260510-BEVERAGESP). The procurement encompasses comprehensive beverage services across the University's Main Campus, DSU Downtown Campus, and Living Learning Commons, including product supply, equipment installation and maintenance, marketing support, and financial sponsorship. Required deliverables include a full line of non-alcoholic beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, non-carbonated beverages, bottled and flavored water, juices, sports drinks, and low-calorie options, along with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient vending machines featuring cashless payment capabilities, post-mix fountain systems, and coolers provided at no cost to the University. At least two-thirds of beverages in Price and Baker building vending machines must meet healthy criteria, defined as water, 100% juice, or products with fewer than 40 calories per serving. The contract term is three years with optional two one-year extensions available through mutual negotiation. Key deadlines include a written questions submission deadline of May 20, 2026, at 10:00 AM, with responses posted by June 26, 2026, and a bid opening scheduled for July 15, 2026, at 3:00 PM, with a projected contract start date of August 1, 2026. All proposals must be submitted electronically via email to contracts@desu.edu as a single PDF file not exceeding 5 megabytes, and bidders are responsible for obtaining confirmation of receipt. No mandatory pre-bid meeting is required, and bid bond requirements have been waived.

The University explicitly affirms that Minority Business Enterprises, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Women-Owned Business Enterprises, and Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises will receive full consideration in the bidding process without discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. The incumbent beverage vendor is Pepsi, which currently holds an exclusive pouring rights agreement expiring in several months. Vending data indicates annual consumption of approximately 4,464 to 4,843 units across 34 campus locations. The financial structure consists of two components: cost to the University and commissions/financial support to the University, with current commission rates of 25% for non-carbonated beverages and 45% for carbonated soft drinks and water. The vendor must provide annual direct financial contributions totaling $85,000 in Years 1-3 and $105,000 in Years 4-5, allocated across the President's Scholarship Fund ($5,000 annually), Athletics ($30,500-$35,000 annually), Student Leadership Program ($12,500-$16,000 annually), and University Support ($37,000-$49,000 annually), plus in-kind support including $3,000 annually in sampling products, $5,000 of in-kind products for the Office of President, recycle bins, and $8,000 in annual gratis athletic products. Proposals must include detailed financial disclosures, business references, proof of financial responsibility, cyber liability insurance compliance, and all required attachments.