RFP 784-26-2526- Study Abroad Program in London & Paris: June 6, 2026- June 19, 2026

The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) is seeking a qualified travel service provider to coordinate a faculty-led Study Abroad Program in London and Paris from June 6-19, 2026. The program targets approximately 20-25 students and two faculty members, focusing on artificial intelligence in business. Required services include comprehensive travel logistics such as international airfare, hotel accommodations, daily breakfast, ground transportation, and organizing academic and industry site visits. Specific required site visits include the AI Summit 2026 in London, Viva Technology Conference in Paris, and visits to institutions like London School of Economics, DeepMind, HEC Business School, and Mistral AI. The proposal will be evaluated across five criteria: established professional connections in Europe (35 points), quality of tour plan (25 points), overall study abroad travel experience (20 points), references (10 points), and pricing (10 points). The proposal submission deadline is September 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM CT, with the contract term beginning upon execution and continuing until all services are completed.

The opportunity includes a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Subcontracting Plan, which requires prime contractors to demonstrate commitment to subcontracting with Texas certified HUB vendors. The statewide HUB goals range from 11.2% for heavy construction to 32.9% for special trade construction, with UHD having specific "Good Faith Effort Goals" ranging from 0% to 35% across different contract types. Contractors must provide written notification to at least three Texas certified HUBs and two trade organizations about subcontracting opportunities. The target budget is $4,000 per participant, covering airfare, lodging, breakfast, local transportation, and scheduled program activities. Proposals must be submitted in PDF format with two sealed envelopes containing proposal documents and the HUB plan. The Standard Purchasing Agreement includes provisions for Commercial General Liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and potential funding contingencies based on legislative appropriations.