When is the submission deadline?

Submissions are due November 19, 2026. Questions must be submitted by October 1, 2026.

It was issued by The University Of Toledo. The work is located in Toledo, Ohio, United States.

Who is a good fit for this opportunity?

Established campus bookstore and higher education retail services provider. Experience managing online textbook platforms, e-commerce storefronts, and physical retail operations. Strong capabilities in textbook procurement, digital materials, rentals, apparel, gifts, and promotional merchandise. Proven staffing, inventory management, customer service, and IT security capabilities. Established relationships with academic, athletic, apparel, technology, and promotional product suppliers. Ability to support distance learning, hybrid education, and institutional enrollment growth. Experience delivering marketing programs, capital investment, sponsorships, and cost-reduction initiatives.

Comprehensive Campus Bookstore and Retail Services (Due November 19, 2026)

Overview

Retail, E-Commerce & Consumer Goods

Toledo, Ohio, United StatesPosted: August 18, 2026Deadline: November 19, 2026

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SUMMARY

The institution seeks a five-year partner to manage comprehensive bookstore, e-commerce, spirit store, gift shop, and event merchandise operations. The vendor will provide end-to-end retail management, course material access, customer support, strategic marketing, and scalable services for enrollment growth.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Must have a minimum of five years of experience managing college or university bookstores.
Must provide a minimum of three references from similar-sized organizations.
Must provide audited financial statements for the past three fiscal years.
Must comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requirements.
Must provide a detailed five-year pro forma financial projection.
Must be able to integrate with University DTAS Banner application.
Must provide proof of insurance meeting university requirements.
Must provide a detailed transition plan for the changeover from the incumbent operator.

CONTRACT DURATION

60 months

TIMELINE

RFP Issue Date: August 17th, 2026

Site Visit: September 17th, 2026

Questions Submitted by: October 1st, 2026

UToledo Response to Questions by: October 16th, 2026

Proposal Due Date/Time: November 9th, 2026

Supplier Presentations: December 7th, 2026

Anticipated Award Date: February 1st, 2027

QUESTION DEADLINE

October 1, 2026

CONTACTS

Primary procurement contact — name, title, email, and phone

Additional decision-makers and their departments

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Issuing Agency

The University Of Toledo

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

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DESCRIPTION

The institution is seeking a vendor to provide comprehensive campus bookstore and retail services, including an online textbook platform, spirit store, gift shop, athletics and event merchandise operations, and related retail services. The selected provider will manage staffing, inventory, customer service, online ordering, and access to new and used textbooks, course supplies, merchandise, and related services.

The vendor must provide onsite or online customer support through channels such as live chat, email, helpdesk, or telephone, while meeting applicable security and IT requirements. Services must support distance and hybrid learning environments and include course materials in print, digital, and rental formats. Respondents must identify major merchandise, apparel, headwear, promotional product, gift, technology, and retail vendor partners, as well as the annual marketing budget allocated to the institution.

The provider is expected to support institutional strategic priorities, reduce textbook costs, increase access to course materials, build relationships with academic and athletic departments, and support enrollment growth. The contract period will be five years and may include capital investment and sponsorships. A pre-bid site visit is scheduled for September 2, 2026, and questions must be submitted by October 1, 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the submission deadline?: Submissions are due November 19, 2026. Questions must be submitted by October 1, 2026.
Who issued this RFP?: It was issued by The University Of Toledo. The work is located in Toledo, Ohio, United States.
Who is a good fit for this opportunity?: Established campus bookstore and higher education retail services provider
Experience managing online textbook platforms, e-commerce storefronts, and physical retail operations
Strong capabilities in textbook procurement, digital materials, rentals, apparel, gifts, and promotional merchandise
Proven staffing, inventory management, customer service, and IT security capabilities
Established relationships with academic, athletic, apparel, technology, and promotional product suppliers
Ability to support distance learning, hybrid education, and institutional enrollment growth
Experience delivering marketing programs, capital investment, sponsorships, and cost-reduction initiatives

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Settle pieces together buyer signals, budgets, contract activity, and the sources your team already monitors. See why an opportunity fits and what to do before the RFP posts.

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