Campus Bookstore Management Services

St. Mary's College of Maryland is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to manage and operate its campus bookstore, known as the “St. Mary’s Store,” which serves students, faculty, and staff by offering convenience items, apparel, textbooks, and a café called The Daily Grind. The contract encompasses both the physical campus store and the online platform, with the goal of enhancing service delivery, increasing revenue, and integrating innovative technology and facility upgrades. The procurement process is structured as a competitive sealed proposal, with an emphasis on a gross sales commission-sharing model less operational costs, and a contract term of five years with up to five additional one-year options, potentially extending to ten years. The solicitation, posted on October 3, 2025, requires proposals to be submitted by November 17, 2025, with a site visit scheduled for October 20, 2025. The contract will be governed by comprehensive standard terms and conditions outlined in the RFP, including provisions related to security, compliance with Maryland laws, ethical conduct, record retention, and non-discrimination. Proposers must submit detailed financial revenue proposals, including projections for three years, signing bonuses, scholarships, minimum guarantees, and commission schedules, all of which must remain valid for 180 days. Additionally, vendors are required to provide extensive company profiles and supplemental questionnaires to demonstrate their experience, organizational structure, and capacity to deliver the required services. Supporting documents such as layout plans and definitions ensure clarity on scope, expectations, and contractual obligations, aiming to select a partner capable of delivering a high-quality, innovative, and financially beneficial bookstore operation aligned with the College’s strategic goals.