RFP784-27-2725 – Study Abroad Program in Spain & Portugal

University of Houston-Downtown is requesting proposals for a faculty-led study abroad program in Spain and Portugal scheduled for January 5–17, 2027, with proposals due September 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM Central Time. A State of Texas Subcontracting Plan is mandatory; failure to submit it accurately results in automatic disqualification. Questions and interpretations are due August 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM, with a Q&A addendum posted August 25, 2026.

The program will serve approximately 22–28 students and two faculty members traveling from Houston (IAH) to Lisbon, Portugal and either Madrid or Barcelona, Spain (routing determined by program efficiency and educational value). The vendor must arrange international airfare, accommodations (minimum 3-star with double occupancy for students and single for faculty), daily breakfast, at least two group dinners, airport transfers, ground transportation with on-site representative or tour guide, and industry visits, university engagement, and experiential learning opportunities aligned with business education. Travel dates are flexible by up to two days on either side of the core January 5–17 window.

The target budget is approximately $4,000 per participant, inclusive of all travel-related services. Proposals must specify clear, detailed pricing for the full participant range (22–28 students plus two faculty), with faculty costs incorporated through group discounts. Vendors must submit at least three professional references from higher education institutions or comparable organizations for comparable travel services provided within the past five years.

Evaluation weighs Travel Arrangements and Quality (25 points), Industry and Experiential Learning Opportunities (30 points), Local University and Academic Engagement (15 points), Cost and Overall Value (20 points), and Vendor Experience and References (10 points). Required insurance includes Commercial General Liability of $1 million per occurrence, Professional Liability of $5 million per occurrence, Commercial Automobile Liability of $1 million, and Workers' Compensation at statutory limits, with the University named as Additional Insured. The University's Standard Purchasing Agreement (OGC-S-2010-06) is the preferred contract form; requests for alternative forms may result in disqualification. Proposals are valid for a minimum of 120 days from submittal, automatically rolling to 120 days additional unless otherwise specified. The University reserves the right to conduct oral presentations, request written clarifications, or award based on initial proposals without discussion.