Promotional Apparel Preferred Vendor

Auburn University is seeking sealed proposals from qualified delivery service providers to establish non-exclusive preferred relationships for promotional apparel procurement. The university aims to select up to 20 vendors to supply promotional apparel to campus units using Chart A university funds. Vendors must be licensed as an Internal Campus Supplier (ICS) through the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) and comply with Auburn's trademark licensing and branding policies. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on April 22, 2025, with proposals due by May 21, 2025, at 10:30 AM CDT. The proposed initial contract term is three years, with two optional one-year renewals contingent on mutual consent. Evaluation criteria will cover 13 sections, including company details, product offerings, decoration capabilities, artwork services, sales and marketing strategies, licensing capabilities, financial considerations, logistics, labor practices, and references. Key requirements include carrying a minimum of $1 million in general product liability insurance, attending annual ICS licensee training, and participating in annual vendor fair and business review meetings.

Potential vendors must pay an annual licensing rights fee of $5,000 and submit quarterly and annual review documents. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, suppliers must demonstrate comprehensive capabilities to serve university departments and student organizations. Over the previous four years, university departments and organizations have spent approximately $12.1 million on promotional products and apparel, indicating a potentially significant market opportunity. Vendors will be required to provide three quotes for apparel items purchased with university funds and participate in annual performance assessments. The university does not guarantee minimum yearly spend, but selected suppliers will be listed on the university's licensing website. The contract aims to establish a robust network of preferred vendors capable of meeting Auburn University's diverse promotional apparel needs while maintaining strict compliance with licensing and branding standards.