The successful Proposer shall operate the CSN Bookstores in accordance with the requirements, terms, specifications, conditions, and provisions contained in an agreement (contract) as negotiated between the parties. The Proposer shall provide CSN with the services usually expected of a top-quality college store. CSN is committed to working with a Successful Proposer who truly understands the College’s desire to fully engage with the campus by providing approval, recommendations, and feedback on the products and services provided by the Successful Proposer. The Successful Proposer must demonstrate an outstanding level of service and performance, and have sufficient resources, financial stability, and experience to operate the virtual stores or the CSN Brick & Mortar Bookstores and eCommerce site(s). It is essential that the requested services be of the highest quality possible and that the program be managed with maximum sensitivity to the needs and concerns of CSN’s students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. The Contractor will provide a valued service to the campus and be involved with all outreach and campus/community engagement. CSN is seeking innovative proposals for the management and operation of its campus bookstores. If applicable, the virtual bookstores will replace the traditional brick & mortar bookstores by leveraging digital platforms to provide students, faculty, and staff with seamless access to required academic resources, course materials, and general merchandise. CSN aims to meet the evolving needs of students, who might prefer online purchasing options and require fast, flexible, and affordable access to educational content. CSN is particularly interested in solutions that reflect modern trends in education and retail, supporting both physical and digital course materials, general merchandise and emblematic products. As part of this Request for Proposal (RFP), we invite vendors to submit a virtual store proposal, and will accept an option for Brick & Mortar Bookstores. Proposers can also submit proposals for both. In addition to responses to the above Section C, proposers submitting a virtual option must outline a comprehensive solution that meets the following objectives: Accessibility and Convenience: Provide students with 24/7 access to course materials and general merchandise through an intuitive online platform. Offer multiple access points, including web browsers, mobile apps, and campus portals, ensuring seamless access. Integrate with CSN’s SIS and LMS platforms to streamline content delivery. Provide a Wide Range of Materials: Support the availability of new, used, digital, and Inclusive Access course materials. Include access to open educational resources (OER) and interactive courseware. Provide ancillary items such as access codes, lab kits, and other required materials. Affordability and Student Savings: Outline pricing models designed to reduce costs for students, such as subscription options, inclusive-access programs, and rental models. Provide transparency in pricing and offer price-matching guarantees where feasible. Streamlined Fulfillment and Delivery: Ensure quick and efficient delivery of physical materials to students' homes or other locations. Support CSN (locations TBD) pickup options or use of third-party delivery services. Customer Service and Support: Provide robust support through live chat, email, and phone to address student inquiries and concerns. Offer technical support for digital products, ensuring seamless access to eBooks and digital platforms. Integration and Data Analytics: Integrate with CSN’s registration system to simplify course material adoption by faculty. Offer real-time analytics and reporting tools to help faculty and administration monitor student engagement with materials.
