1. Liaison and Stakeholder Coordination a. Act as the primary liaison between VCU and external bookstore vendors during the RFP and contract development processes. b. Coordinate and facilitate discussions with internal VCU stakeholders (e.g., procurement, finance, legal, student services, and academic departments). c. Ensure transparent and consistent communication across all involved parties. 2. RFP Review and Recommendations a. Conduct a detailed review of the draft RFP for clarity, completeness, strategic alignment, and legal sufficiency. b. Provide a written report with suggested edits, additions, and modifications to improve the quality and effectiveness of the RFP. The Firm shall use Track Changes in the document to insert recommendations, etc. c. Participate in meetings with VCU stakeholders to explain and discuss recommendations, and assist in finalizing the RFP document for release. d. The Firm may also provide a recommended RFP proposal that has been successful in other university procurements for discussion. 3. Vendor Evaluation Support a. Assist in evaluating vendor proposals, including written submissions and presentations, to assess alignment with VCU’s objectives. b. Develop or refine evaluation criteria and scoring rubrics as needed. c. Prepare summary reports identifying vendor strengths, gaps, and overall fit. 4. Contract Review and Negotiation Support a. Review vendor contract drafts and advise on terms related to service levels, performance metrics, compliance, and risk. b. Draft recommended changes and assist in negotiation planning and execution. c. Provide support during contract finalization, ensuring all university objectives are documented and enforceable.
