Bookstore Operations

Coastal Carolina University is seeking a comprehensive bookstore management and operations services contractor through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the State Fiscal Accountability Authority Division of Procurement Services. The solicitation covers full bookstore operations for the Chanticleer Store, a 9,527-square-foot facility located in Conway, South Carolina, which requires management of textbook and course materials, general merchandise sales, special services, and auxiliary functions. Key deliverables include operating the store at minimum hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended weekend hours during university events, and implementing an affordable inclusive access course material program. Evaluation criteria will prioritize the contractor's management approach, internal systems, staffing, automation, transition planning, business proposal, marketing strategies, and cost-saving approaches for textbook expenses. Critical procurement dates include a non-mandatory pre-bid conference on December 10, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. EST, a question submission deadline of December 11, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. EST, and proposal submissions due by January 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. EST. The university requires separate technical and price proposals, audited financial statements, and detailed implementation plans for specialized bookstore functions.

The contract allows for any qualified vendor to respond, with no specific set-aside designations mentioned in the solicitation. The current bookstore vendor holds the existing contract, and if a new vendor is selected, they must develop and execute an approved transition plan at their own expense. The contract offers a lucrative compensation structure including a commission of 18% on general merchandise sales up to $2,000,000 annually and 20% on sales exceeding that amount, plus 10% on course materials gross sales. Additional financial incentives include a $50,000 capital investment amortization, a $150,000 signing bonus amortization, and a $25,000 annual textbook rental scholarship commitment. Historical financial data indicates the bookstore generated $8,479,894 in gross sales for fiscal year 2025, with an enrollment of 11,035 full-time equivalent students. The initial contract term is one year, with four potential one-year renewal options, creating a maximum five-year contract period. The contractor will be responsible for all operational costs, including merchandise procurement, personnel, maintenance, insurance, utilities, and technology systems, with an anticipated contract award date of April 27, 2026, and a contract start date of July 1, 2026.