University Bookstore Management

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is seeking a qualified vendor to manage its campus bookstore operations through a solicitation titled University Bookstore Management, identified by number 65-RFP07222026UBS, issued on July 22, 2026, with proposals due by September 2, 2026. The contract aims to ensure the efficient and compliant operation of the university’s student bookstore, including course materials distribution, retail services, and technology integration, all aligned with institutional standards and legal requirements. Performance is expected to occur primarily on the UNC Chapel Hill campus, with additional responsibilities extending to remote or international worker locations if applicable, and vendors must comply with a wide array of regulations including the Americans with Disabilities Act, FERPA, PCI-DSS, NIST 800-171, and state and federal employment laws. The selection process follows a best value trade-off methodology, prioritizing total cost of ownership alongside technical merit, past performance, and the likelihood of high-quality, on-time delivery, rather than awarding based solely on lowest price. Vendors must submit a comprehensive proposal incorporating mandatory attachments detailing the hybrid model program, financial bid, sales projections, vendor information, data privacy compliance, financial condition certification, and student store background. Key requirements include the pre-approval of all key personnel and managers, mandatory criminal background checks for all staff, annual PCI-DSS certification, strict adherence to UNC’s data security protocols including multi-factor authentication and “need to know” access controls, and immediate 24-hour notification of any data breach. Vendors are responsible for all technology infrastructure, system maintenance, and compliance with university branding and licensing policies, and must designate a faculty liaison for online course materials coordination. Pricing must not increase for OneCard customers due to transaction fees, and vendors must demonstrate financial stability and full compliance with socioeconomic reporting requirements, including HUB designation. All submissions must be made electronically via the North Carolina eVP portal by the deadline, and attendance at a mandatory site visit is required. Invoices will be processed via electronic funds transfer to the University’s Systems and Operations Department, with no formal federal accounting codes or electronic invoicing systems like WAWF specified. The contract includes termination rights for noncompliance, and the university reserves the authority to remove any vendor personnel without notice.