2026-1170 Specialty Brand Merchandise

Texas Tech University (TTU) is soliciting vendors through Request for Proposal (RFP) 2026-1170 for specialty brand merchandise products and services. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to expand TTU's vendor pool and meet increasing demand across multiple product categories, including plaques, trophies, apparel, footwear, accessories, coolers, collectibles, and seasonal decor, along with associated services such as imprinting, screen printing, embroidery, engraving, and graphic design. Proposers are not required to offer all product and service categories to be considered for award. Required qualifications include demonstrated experience with product sourcing, inventory management, and royalty reporting; current or obtainable licensing through the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC); professional references with direct knowledge of similar work within the past five years; ability to obtain $2 million in general aggregate and $1 million in commercial general liability insurance within thirty days of contract execution; and compliance with TTU Identity Guidelines through Brand Manager 360 approval prior to production. The evaluation criteria are weighted as follows: financial value (25 percent), demonstrated ability to fulfill requirements (25 percent), value-added options (30 percent), and quality assurance and control measures (20 percent). The deadline for written questions was January 26, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central time; however, this deadline has passed. Proposals must be submitted through the TechBid system by March 6, 2026, at 1:00 PM Central time (extended from the original February 6, 2026 deadline), with an online proposal opening conducted on the same date. Evaluation of proposals is anticipated to occur between February and March 2026, with award recommendation in May 2026.

The contract is non-exclusive, with an anticipated term beginning upon the date of last signature and expiring four years from that date, subject to an automatic one-year renewal option unless either party provides written notice of non-renewal at least sixty days prior to expiration. All proposers must submit a HUB Subcontracting Plan regardless of their status or intent to subcontract, though Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification is not a requirement to bid; TTU's FY 2026 HUB goal is set at one percent for all VetHUB categories, and for outsourced items or purchases exceeding $100,000, proposers must demonstrate good faith efforts to source from at least three veteran-owned businesses. Proposers are prohibited from using competitor apparel brands including Nike, Converse, Under Armour, Russell, Puma, Reebok, New Balance, and Asics, as TTU's primary apparel partnership is with Adidas. Contract pricing for products or services will remain firm for twenty-four months following execution, after which annual increases not to exceed three percent may be applied on each anniversary date. Proposers may propose financial commitments such as signing bonuses, scholarships, sponsorships, or rebate percentages as value-added services. No specific contract award value or budget range is disclosed in the RFP documents, and no incumbent vendors or currently contracted suppliers are identified.