Bid on Contract #26-1 Bookstore Operations

Delaware County Community College in Media, Pennsylvania, is soliciting sealed bids for bookstore operations services across three campus locations (Marple Campus, Downingtown Campus, and Southeast Center) and online platforms serving approximately 7,928 students. The procurement encompasses the provision and management of textbooks, reference and trade books, course materials, school supplies, college apparel, and retail merchandise. Qualified bidders must demonstrate a minimum of three years of continuous operation under the same company name and provide at least three references from similar college bookstore operations. Proposals must include a detailed commission percentage structure based on gross sales with quarterly payments due within 30 days of quarter close. Key responsibilities include financial administration, inventory purchasing at commencement, property and casualty insurance for vendor-owned equipment, and compliance with federal and state regulations including Title IV financial aid requirements, FERPA, GLBA Safeguards Rule, ADA accessibility, and SOC2 standards. The vendor must operate the bookstore 12 months annually with minimum hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and maintain a professional, ADA-compliant website enabling online purchases with in-store pickup and direct shipment options. Electronic sealed bids must be submitted via PennBid (https://pennbid.bonfirehub.com) by April 20, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with bid opening scheduled for March 23, 2026. The initial contract term extends five years from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031, with options for up to four additional one-year renewal terms, and award is anticipated on May 4, 2026, based on greatest overall benefit rather than lowest price alone.

Delaware County Community College is an equal opportunity educational institution that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, or disability, though no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are identified in the solicitation materials. All vendor employees and representatives who will interact with students or access campus facilities must obtain mandatory Pennsylvania background clearances including PA Criminal Background, PA Child Abuse History, and FBI Fingerprinting. The College will provide utilities, basic building maintenance, and property insurance covering College-owned fixtures and equipment, while the vendor assumes responsibility for all other operational and financial aspects. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided in the available documentation. Bidders must comply with all requirements outlined in the RFP and failure to do so may result in bid rejection; additionally, no service provider may withdraw its proposal within 60 days after the actual opening of proposals. Specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the solicitation materials.