Promotional Merchandise Program (PMP) eCommerce Website

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Colorado is conducting market research through Request for Information RFI 926DA013 to inform the future development of a Promotional Merchandise Program eCommerce Website. This pre-solicitation effort aims to address past procurement challenges including limited vendor competition, overly prescriptive requirements, and inadequate pricing protections in multi-year agreements. RTD seeks input on scalable, modern e-commerce solutions that offer hosted, full-service platforms with secure transaction handling, PCI compliance, seamless integration with Oracle ERP systems, and robust fulfillment models such as inventory-held, print-on-demand, and drop-ship. The agency is particularly interested in understanding sustainable packaging practices, long-term pricing structures that account for material cost volatility, supply chain disruptions, and freight rate fluctuations, as well as mechanisms for price transparency and escalation controls. Responses will guide the design of a future RFP to ensure fiscal predictability while encouraging innovation and broader participation from qualified vendors, including those offering alternative service delivery models. The RFI, posted on April 29, 2026, with responses due by May 28, 2026, is submitted exclusively through RTD’s OpenGov procurement portal and must not exceed 25 pages in the mandatory questionnaire format, with additional supporting materials permitted but not counted toward the limit. No formal contract will result from this RFI; instead, it serves to shape evaluation criteria, contract structure, and performance expectations for a subsequent solicitation. RTD has not yet established evaluation factors, basis of award, contract clauses, or delivery terms, and no FAR clauses, packaging specifications, barcoding standards, or accounting codes have been defined. The place of performance is Colorado, with the contracting office located in Denver. Pricing data provided in the RFI reflects sample line items for promotional merchandise such as apparel and stress relievers, with estimated contract values between $14,833 and $16,927 for Year One, accounting for a 15% initial discount and projected annual escalations. Point of contact for all inquiries is Jill Pruett, Procurement Specialist I, with Adrian Mabry as the lead for projects and contracts. All vendor responses must demonstrate alignment with public-sector procurement standards, accessibility requirements, cybersecurity protocols, and sustainability initiatives without the need to provide UEI, CAGE codes, or socioeconomic certifications, as this is purely an information-gathering activity.