Bookstore operations

The State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA), Division of Procurement Services, is seeking proposals on behalf of Piedmont Technical College (PTC) to manage and operate the College Campus Shop and satellite campus stores across eight campuses in Greenwood, South Carolina. The comprehensive bookstore services include textbook sales (new, used, and rental), trade books, school supplies, college merchandise, computer products, and general merchandise for over 4,700 students. Key deliverables include textbook adoption processing, used book buyback programs, special orders, copyright clearance services, and an online campus shop with real-time integration to the College's Banner ERP system. The contractor must employ a Campus Shop Manager with at least five years of college bookstore management experience and a bachelor's degree, conduct annual customer surveys, and provide detailed monthly operating statements. Proposal submission deadlines include a pre-proposal conference on February 27, 2020, at 10:00 AM, with questions due by 4:00 PM that same day, and final proposals due online by March 24, 2020, at 11:00 AM. The initial contract term is one year beginning June 1, 2020, with four optional one-year renewal periods, for a maximum five-year contract period, with the award to be posted on May 19, 2020.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The incumbent vendor is Barnes and Noble, who completed the most recent store remodel in spring 2015. The contractor must provide Point of Sale systems meeting specific technical requirements and accept financial aid payments, with strict pricing policies limiting new textbook markups to no more than 25% gross profit and requiring used textbooks to sell at least 25% below new textbook prices. The college will provide utilities, telephone access, security camera monitoring, and janitorial services for common areas, while the contractor is responsible for daily operations, equipment, staffing, and associated expenses. Historical gross sales data shows declining trends, with total sales of $3,620,711 in 2016-2017, $3,281,311 in 2017-2018, and $2,981,347 in 2018-2019. The contractor must propose a commission structure based on gross sales with a guaranteed minimum monthly payment, with facility rental calculated at $41,410 annually ($10 per square foot), and maintain complete accounting records for three years. The facility comprises approximately 4,141 square feet of retail space, with the potential for significant revenue generation through diverse merchandise offerings.