Bookstore Services

Seeking a vendor to operate campus bookstore services, supply textbooks, and promote in-store and online programs for a Minnesota-based institution.

Operate online and physical textbook and campus store services
Comply with all federal, state, and local laws
Maintain the name 'Metropolitan State University Bookstore'
Operate the store 12 months per year
Provide a customizable website with store leadership, complaint procedure, and campus highlights
Obtain and maintain all necessary licenses and permits
Comply with University regulations and policies
Establish security procedures for cardholder data and PCI DSS compliance
Notify individuals of unauthorized data release and indemnify the university for breaches
Prohibit the sale of course-related materials on campus by other entities (with exceptions)
Limit the sale of merchandise regularly stocked by the vendor (with exceptions)
Operate during approved hours, including extended hours during registration and special events
Maintain appropriate hours for ordering, procuring, and repurchasing used textbooks
Do not operate when the university is closed
Use University's seal, logotype, and trademarks on store materials
Proactively promote and publicize promotions, including price-matching programs
Make corporate representatives available for operational issue resolution
Provide operational policies, brochures, and publications upon request
Accept returns according to an agreed policy
Accept all major credit cards (Visa and MasterCard at minimum)
Hold feedback sessions with the university community
Provide a means for students and customers to give feedback
Provide the sale of postage
Supply all necessary equipment, parts, and miscellaneous items for store operation
Furnish adequately trained personnel for efficient and courteous service, especially during peak periods
Allow University participation in interviewing and evaluation of the Bookstore Manager
Comply with University employment practices and student minimum wage requirements
Provide accounting, audit, and control systems and procedures
Handle voucher and sales returns after the voucher period closes
Pay bona fide financial obligations to the University and third parties timely
Collect and pay sales tax and applicable income taxes
Extend credit to University and/or Government Agencies for authorized students
Keep complete and accurate records of all store transactions and provide monthly gross revenue statements
Preserve store operation records for 3 years and make them available for audit
Provide an audited financial statement annually
Provide course adopted software, paper, and electronic custom anthologies
Have the right of first refusal for distance learning instructional and ancillary materials (with exceptions)
Provide a web-based ordering system for students
Process text requests placed after the adoption deadline within 3 business days
Ensure a reasonable number of adopted texts are available (approximately 2% of expected enrollment)
Make previous editions available until a new edition is published
Sell course packets assembled by faculty
Place special orders for books requested by faculty, students, or staff
Provide timely response to special order literature and instructional materials
Maximize used textbook purchases by faculty submitting orders 45 days before semester start
Provide a phone 'hotline' for faculty, administrators, and students
Avoid selling 'complimentary' used books to students
Purchase used textbooks adopted for the next academic term in sufficient quantities
Buy back textbooks used in classes offered once a year at 50% standard rate if the edition is the same
Purchase student's used pocket-sized paperbacks up to 25% of the selling price
Cooperate with the University's Security Director for store security, theft prevention, and emergency procedures
Create and maintain a Store Security Plan
Do not cause arrest or prosecution of students, faculty, or staff for theft or disturbance without prior University consultation (except emergencies)
Be responsible for any loss or damage to University property in vendor's possession or control
Be responsible for daily cleaning of the store interior
Ensure all book and store-related deliveries are made at the Student Center loading dock
Obtain University approval for significant changes to bookstore floor layout, operating procedures, or personnel
Provide all necessary technical support and access to sales data and reporting
Identify data integration supports and student information systems
Provide direct access to data systems for detailed sales records (on demand or daily reports)
Support scheduled and ad hoc data refresh methods
Support the ability to schedule data delivery for efficient University operations
Provide data in a usable format for integration into University systems
Support ODBC, API, and/or flat file connections to update data sources
Provide API for data access/extraction from external applications
Provide Bookstore Credit (Voucher) configuration data
Provide methods to import individual student credit limits and updates in real-time or near-real-time
Provide all necessary technical documentation for data integration and reporting
Provide dedicated technical support for data integration and reporting
Provide ongoing dedicated technical support for data integrations and reporting
Respond to non-emergency inquiries within 24 hours (Monday-Friday)
Respond to emergency incident reports within four hours (seven days per week)
Provide direct access to all daily sales transaction data with full details
Integrate with the University's Bookstore Credit (Vouchers) Program
Ability to upload semester account codes and descriptions
Provide daily and/or sales period reports on sales, returns, and exchanges based on individual bookstore credit codes
Ability to expediently upload student credit limits and changes
Ability to set unique begin and end dates for credit sales
Ability to access fixed or ad-hoc reports
Provide technical and operational support for non-urgent issues in a timely manner
Provide technical and operational support for urgent issues within 4 hours
Provide documentation, support, and access to any API or remote access services for updates, support, and/or reporting
Demonstrate understanding of compatible integration services (SIS systems and database interface)
Provide dynamic reporting and analytics capabilities, including data types, dashboards, and performance metrics
Provide reporting capability to retrieve data by academic semester for bookstore credit program and inclusive access charges
Explain the ability to access fixed or ad-hoc reports
Describe analytics dashboards provided for University leadership
Conform to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Conform to Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 and 2.2
Complete and upload a Voluntary Product/Service Accessibility Template (VPAT)
Identify assistive technologies used for testing the solution
Communicate known accessibility limitations and remediation timelines to customers
Comply with Minnesota State Board Policy 5.14 regarding Supplier Diversity
Qualify as a diverse supplier (if applicable) and provide certification
Qualify for preference points as a small TG/ED/VO (if applicable) and upload certification

$9,000,000 – $10,000,000

Open: March 9th, 2026 9:00 AM CDT

Pre-Award Informational Meeting: March 18th, 2026 10:00 AM CDT

Close/Sealed Until: April 10th, 2026 4:00 PM CDT

Potential Presentation Dates: April 22nd-24th, 2026

Contract Negotiation Deadline: May 30th, 2026

Contract Effective Date: July 1st, 2026

Metropolitan State University

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

The vendor is required to provide comprehensive bookstore services, including textbook provisioning and the operation of an on–site campus store for a government authority located in Minnesota. The services will encompass both in-store and online platforms, ensuring students can access required textbooks and related materials efficiently and conveniently.

The selected provider must proactively promote and publicize any sales, including price-matching programs, to students prior to each academic term. Additionally, the vendor's corporate representatives should maintain accessibility to university administrators to discuss and resolve operational concerns promptly, thereby supporting a responsive and effective service relationship.

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