Promotional Items (Higher Education Institutions) - Rebid

The State, through the Department of Administration's Division of Purchase & Contract, seeks to provide qualified Vendors to the current Statewide Term Contract for Promotional Items (8014B) to furnish and deliver the Promotional Items for qualified Higher Education Institutions throughout the State on an "As Needed" basis, if and when ordered by State Higher Education Institutions during the contract period. North Carolina is home to over 120 universities and colleges, offering a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.

The State seeks to add qualified Vendors to the STC who currently hold a collegiate license or licensing agreement with one or more North Carolina university or community college (Institutions). Eligible Vendors must maintain at least one applicable collegiate license or licensing agreement to participate in this solicitation. Vendors must possess a current and valid license at the time of bid opening.

The contract includes a wide range of products that can be customized with logos, slogans, or other branding to support the State's mission to engage the public, strengthen community outreach, and enhance recognition of State programs and services.

This initiative will serve a variety of functions, including but not limited to:

• Public awareness campaigns and events
• Employee recognition programs
• Community outreach and educational initiatives
• Promotional giveaways and marketing efforts
• Student recruitment and orientation
• Athletics/student organizations
• Campus events

Product categories include:

• Category 1: Apparel (e.g., T-shirts, polos, outerwear, hats, uniforms)
• Category 2: Bags & Totes (e.g., tote bags, backpacks, duffels, drawstring bags)
• Category 3: Drinkware (e.g., mugs, tumblers, bottles)
• Category 4: Writing Instruments (e.g., pens, pencils, highlighters, markers, stylus pens, mechanical pencils)
• Category 5: Award & Recognition Gifts (e.g., plaques, trophies, medals, crystal awards, framed certificates, lapel pins)
• Category 6: Other Promotional Merchandise (any item suitable for imprinting with a logo or branding)

This STC will serve as a primary resource for State entities seeking reliable sources for high-quality, competitively priced promotional items and services. By centralizing procurement under a single contract, the State intends to improve efficiency and promote brand consistency for all State Entities.

**Vendor's Proposals for this procurement must be submitted through the Sourcing Tool.** Only Proposals submitted through the Content Section of the Ariba Sourcing Event will be considered. Proposals submitted through the Message Board will not be accepted or considered for award.

Late Proposals, regardless of cause, will not be opened or considered, and will be automatically disqualified from further consideration.

Vendors who previously submitted a proposal under DPC-2373536849-MT may submit the document(s) they previously submitted, using the prior solicitation number.

All qualified proposals will be evaluated, and awards will be made to the Vendor(s) meeting the specific RFP specifications and achieving the highest and best final evaluation, based on the criteria described below, including catalog coverage, pricing, service availability, and overall value at the discretion of the evaluation team.

Offer shall be valid for at least one hundred and twenty (120) days from date of bid opening, or if extended by mutual agreement in writing of the parties.

The Contract shall begin on the date of final Contract execution (the "Effective Date") through June 30, 2029.

At the end of the Contract's initial term, the State shall have the option, in its sole discretion, to renew the Contract on the same terms and conditions for up to two (2) additional one-year terms.

The estimated spend for the contract term is **$6,085,000.00**, based on historical promotional item expenditures across the state.