Promotional Items

Texas Southern University's Procurement Services is soliciting sealed bids through Invitation to Bid (ITB) 717-26-723 for a full-line promotional items supplier to provide comprehensive merchandise on an as-needed basis. The university seeks a vendor capable of supplying pens, pencils, cup holders, coffee mugs, key chains, badge holders, tote bags, note pads, and apparel items including t-shirts, polo shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, and caps, as well as embroidered and screen-printed items, awards, and trophies. Bidders must submit sealed proposals to the TSU Purchasing Department at 3100 Cleburne Street, Room HH333, Houston, Texas 77004 by 11:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, with inquiries due by January 28, 2026 at 12:00 noon. The contract term is three years with options to extend for two additional one-year periods, and pricing must remain firm for 90 days following bid opening with a fixed maximum annual escalation percentage certified by the bidder. Evaluation will follow the Best Value Standard, with major consideration given to proposed costs, contractor stability and financial resources, quality and reliability of goods and services, delivery terms, and past contractor performance. Bids must include one original copy, one copy, and a flash drive containing the bid response, along with current product catalogs detailing descriptions, catalog numbers, unit prices, packaging information, manufacturer details, and ordering contact information. Bidders must also list all cooperative awards held (such as Buyboard or Choice Partners) and address rush order pricing and timelines separately from normal orders.

Responses greater than $100,000 must include a completed HUB Subcontracting Plan, indicating that the university may require participation by disadvantaged or historically underutilized businesses. The solicitation does not specify restrictions on types of organizations that can respond, nor does it identify any incumbent vendors or current contractors. All bidders must comply with the comprehensive terms and conditions established by Texas Southern University, including certifications related to antitrust laws, drug-free workplace standards, immigration laws, environmental protection regulations, debarment status, and prohibitions on lobbying. Pricing should be quoted FOB destination with freight prepaid unless otherwise stated, with shipping charges clearly identified as either free or an added expense, and the university has indicated that discount pricing off the supplier's product catalog is requested. The university reserves the right to waive minor technical inconsistencies and select multiple vendors to meet its promotional merchandise needs. No specific budget range or award value is listed in the solicitation documents.