RFP 2026-060 USM Athletic Apparel and Sponsorship

Administered by University of Maine System
Office of Strategic Procurement
Request for Proposal (RFP)
USM Athletic Apparel and Sponsorship
RFP #2026-060
Issued Date: March 27, 2026
Response Deadline Date/Time: April 24, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EST
Response Submission Information:
Submitted electronically to UMSResponses@maine.edu
Email Subject Line - GNA: USM Athletic Apparel and Sponsorship - RFP
#2026-060
Response Contact Information:
Email: UMSResponses@maine.edu

Request for Proposal - USM Athletic Apparel and Sponsorship Dated: March 27, 2026
Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications................................................. 3
1.2 General Information ............................................................................................................. 10
1.3 General Submission Provisions ....................................................................................... 14
2.0 EVALUATION AND AWARD PROCESS ............................................................................... 16
2.1 Evaluation Criteria ................................................................................................................ 16
2.2 Award ....................................................................................................................................... 18
2.3 Tie Bids .................................................................................................................................... 18
2.4 Negotiations ........................................................................................................................... 18
2.5 Award Protest ........................................................................................................................ 19
3.0 RESPONSE FORMAT REQUIREMENTS .............................................................................. 20
3.1 General Format Instructions .............................................................................................. 20
3.2 Response Format Instructions ......................................................................................... 20
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Definitions, Background, Purpose and Specifications
1.1.1 Definitions
The University of Maine System will hereinafter be referred to as the "University."
Respondents to the document shall be referred to as "Respondent(s)" or
"Respondent".
The Respondent to whom the Agreement is awarded shall be referred to as the
"Contractor."
The University of Maine System and other components of the University shall be
referred to as "Multi-Institution".
1.1.2 Background
Overview
Established in 1968, the University of Maine System (UMS) unites six distinctive
public universities, comprising 10 campuses and numerous centers, in the
common purpose of providing quality higher education while delivering on its
traditional tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service.
A comprehensive public institution of higher education, UMS serves more than
30,000 students annually and is supported by the efforts of more than 2,000 full-
time and part-time faculty, more than 3,000 regular full-time and part-time staff,
and a complement of part-time temporary (adjunct) faculty.
Reaching more than 500,000 people annually through educational and cultural
offerings, the University of Maine System also benefits from more than two-thirds
of its alumni population residing within the state; more than 123,000 individuals.
The System consists of six universities: The University of Maine (UMaine),
including its regional campus the University of Maine at Machias (UMM); the
University of Maine at Augusta (UMA); the University of Maine at Farmington
(UMF); the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), the University of Maine at
Presque Isle (UMPI); and the University of Southern Maine (USM). The System
also includes the University of Maine School of Law and the University of Maine
Graduate and Professional Center.
Campus thumbnails
University of Maine at Augusta
Founded in 1965, the University of Maine at Augusta transforms the lives of
students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond
through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in
student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs.
UMA is the third largest public university in Maine. A leader in distance education,
UMA has a statewide presence with two campuses in Augusta and Bangor, eight
UMA Centers from Saco to Houlton, and 32 course receive sites across Maine.
Flexible modalities, with classes onsite, online, through video conference,
Interactive Television, and at UMA Centers allow its students to take classes, while
keeping work and family commitments. While UMA has a traditional-aged cohort,
two-thirds of its students are over 25 years old. Over 50% of UMA's students are
first generation and 72% are Pell Grant eligible. These students are motivated to
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make a positive change in their lives by pursuing a college degree. With its multiple
locations and long-term expertise in online and distance learning, UMA is generally
considered the university of choice for Mainers of all ages who want to attend
college without uprooting their lives.
University of Maine at Farmington
The University of Maine at Farmington is the birthplace of public higher education
in Maine and has earned a national reputation for excellence. Established in 1864,
it is a small, selective public liberal arts college, serving primarily full-time,
traditional-age undergraduates in a residential setting. UMF offers quality
programs in teacher education, human services, arts and sciences and
professional studies. At Farmington, students feel connected, deeply woven in the
roots of the community. Through hands-on learning, the sharing of ideas, debating
of issues and pursuit of research, our professors become an active part of their
student's lives helping them engage and succeed in a place where they are valued,
inspired and empowered. Located in the foothills of the mountains of western
Maine, UMF offers the perfect mix of the active outdoor lifestyle with the
quintessential New England college town. With enrollment at around 1,800 full-
time students, UMF is about the same size as many of New England's most
selective private colleges and offers many of the same advantages, yet at a very
affordable price-providing a tremendous college value in a spectacular natural
setting.
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Founded in 1878, the University of Maine at Fort Kent is a unique learning
institution perfect for people seeking a rural scholastic atmosphere of modern
academic standards combined with an eclectic mix of rugged outdoor vistas and
access to cosmopolitan epicenters across two countries. The learning
opportunities at UMFK have become a model of a "destination university" that
other New England campuses attempt to emulate. Strong academic programs
include associate and bachelor's degrees in disciplines such as nursing, business,
biology, forestry and cybersecurity among others. The student body at UMFK
numbering 1,500, has a higher percentage of international students than any other
university in New England, allowing immersion in a cultural opportunity that is
unique in the world. UMFK enjoys national recognition for quality and value as well
as championships in men's and women's soccer.
University of Maine
The University of Maine, founded in Orono in 1865, is the state's land grant and
sea grant university. As the state's only public research university, UMaine has a
statewide mission of teaching, research and economic development, and
community service. UMaine is among the most comprehensive higher education
institutions in the Northeast with nearly 100 majors and academic programs. It
attracts students from Maine and 49 other states, and more than 60 countries. It
currently enrolls more than 11,400 undergraduate and graduate students who can
directly participate in research, working with world-class scholars. UMaine offers
more than 100 degree programs through which students can earn graduate
certificates, master's, doctoral or professional science master's degrees. The
university promotes environmental stewardship, with substantial efforts campus
wide aimed at conserving energy, recycling and adhering to green building
standards in new construction.
University of Maine at Machias
The University of Maine at Machias is a regional campus of the University of Maine.
With its environmental liberal arts core, distinctive baccalaureate programs and
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student-centered community, UMM creates enriching educational opportunities
that prepare graduates for professional success and lifelong engagement. It offers
15 undergraduate degree programs that serve approximately 800 students. Small
class sizes and hands-on learning define the academic experience at Maine's
coastal university, where there is a shared commitment to exploration, leadership,
collaboration and interdisciplinary problem solving. UMM's applied research and
community outreach contribute to the quality of life and economic development in
Down East Maine and beyond.
University of Maine at Presque Isle
For more than a century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been helping
students find their path to great professional careers, providing its 1,100 traditional
and non-traditional students from all areas of the state, country, and world with life-
changing opportunities in a caring, small-university environment. UMPI combines
liberal arts and selected professional programs and serves as a cultural and
educational resource for the entire region. The campus sits on 150 acres
surrounded by the rolling hills and potato fields of northern Maine and strives to be
the region's premier learning institution while helping to stimulate cultural and
economic development in Aroostook County and the State of Maine. The
University serves as an educational and cultural center for the area and its facilities
are utilized for lectures, programs, concerts, dance performances, exhibits, and
plays that benefit the entire region.
University of Southern Maine
Known for its academic excellence and student focus, the University of Southern
Maine (USM) is a community-engaged university taking advantage of its three-
campus location in the economic and cultural heart of Maine to provide unmatched,
authentic, hands-on learning experiences. This gives our graduates a leg up in
launching their careers while at the same time meeting the workplace needs of our
region and state.
Our significant financial and academic support provides our students access to a
high quality education, helps ensure their success once they are here and enables
them to pursue and realize their dreams upon graduation.
Reflecting the community it serves, USM has become known as "the University of
Everyone," welcoming a diverse mix of ages, backgrounds and income levels to
our 8,000 plus student body. Ranging from traditional high school graduates to
adults completing their degree, from high achievers to those who may not have
seen a college education in their future, from new Mainers to veterans who have
served our nation, the University of Southern Maine supports their academic
pursuits and encourages their advancement.
University of Maine School of Law
The University of Maine School of Law is the state's public and only law school, a
vital resource serving our local, regional, national, and global community. Maine
Law is an institutional public servant committed to providing an accessible and
affordable student-focused program of legal education and achieving the highest
standards of ethical behavior. Our rigorous doctrinal and experiential curriculum,
influential scholarship, and signature programming prepare students to practice
law, promote respect for the rule of law, and advance justice for all members of
society.
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University of Maine Graduate and Professional Center
Located in Portland but serving students and employers statewide, the University
of Maine Graduate and Professional Center (the Maine Center) brings together
academic programs in law, business, and public policy to train the workforce of the
future and grow Maine's economy. The Maine Center is an academic consortium
composed of the University of Maine School of Law, the University of Maine
Graduate School of Business, the graduate programs of the Muskie School of
Public Service, and the Cutler Institute of Health and Social Policy. This consortium
develops cross-disciplinary, experiential, and market-driven programming for
graduate students in the Maine Center's three focus areas. The Maine Center also
delivers programming for members of Maine's civic, business, and legal
communities, including executive education, certificates, workshops, externship
placements, and a startup incubator/accelerator. The Maine Center is supported
by a challenge grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation.
1.1.3 Purpose
The University of Maine System acting on behalf of University of Southern Maine
(USM) is seeking responses to provide Athletic Uniforms, Apparel and
Sponsorship as defined in this document. This document provides instructions for
submitting responses, the procedure and criteria by which the Respondent(s) will
be selected, and the contractual terms which will govern the relationship between
the University and the awarded Respondent(s).
USM seeks to establish a comprehensive athletic apparel procurement and
sponsorship agreement to support the Southern Maine Huskies athletic programs.
This solicitation encompasses the provision of athletic uniforms, practice gear,
sideline apparel, shoes, athletic equipment, and promotional merchandise while
establishing a mutually beneficial partnership that enhances the visibility and brand
recognition of USM athletics.
The selected vendor will serve as the exclusive athletic apparel provider for all
USM intercollegiate athletic teams, supporting approximately 475-500 student-
athletes across 23 varsity sports programs.
Men's Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Golf, Ice Hockey,
Lacrosse, Soccer, Tennis, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field,
and Wrestling
Women's Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Ice
Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor
Track & Field, and Volleyball.
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FY2025 Spend:
Category Spend
Teamwear/Apparel/Footwear & Dealer channel
(e.g., Atlantic Sportswear, BSN, Prime Time Sports,
WeGotSoccer, Edge Team Sports, screen/embellishers,
local team dealers) $197,748.93
Sport-specific equipment (partially consolidatable /
alt. lots)
(e.g., Wilson / Molten game balls, Longstreth, StringKing,
Keeperstop, Tennis Warehouse) $40,386.58
Awards/promo (usually separate lot or remain ad hoc):
(Jostens, Championship Award Guys, Crown Trophy,
4imprint) $22,731.31
Everything else (conferences, software/scouting,
timing, events, medical, hardware, services): $163,869.13
Total FY25 athletics vendor spend $424,735.95
Respondents should review 1.1.4 Specifications / Scope of Work of this
document to see the full Scope of Services/Products required.
The University is committed to providing increased access and opportunity to
diverse businesses include and not limited to: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
Transgender Business Enterprise (LGBTQ+BE); Minority Business Enterprise
(MBE); Service-Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (SDVBE); Small Business
Enterprise (SBE); veteran-owned; service-disabled veteran-owned; HUBZone;
small disadvantaged business; women-owned; minority-owned; Veteran Business
Enterprise (VBE); and Women's Business Enterprise (WBE).
Though this document is primarily for University of Southern Maine, all campuses
in the University of Maine System must be afforded the use of this solution, with
all the same terms and conditions applicable to the various University locations.
1.1.4 Specifications / Scope of Work
Uniforms: The vendor shall provide complete game uniforms for all USM athletic
teams, incorporating official school colors with appropriate Southern Maine
Huskies branding. All uniforms must meet NCAA regulations and conference
specifications for each respective sport:
* Basketball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, soccer and volleyball
uniforms feature moisture-wicking technology and contemporary
designs.
* Baseball and softball uniforms with durable construction suitable for
outdoor play
* Hockey and men's lacrosse jerseys with durable construction suitable for
contact sports.
* Track and field competition wear designed for optimal athletic
performance.
* Tennis apparel suitable for year-round outdoor competitions.
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* Golf attire reflects professional appearance standards.
* Cross country/track and field racing uniforms and warm-up gear.
Practice and Training Apparel: The Respondent shall supply comprehensive
practice gear to support daily training activities and conditioning programs for
USM athletic teams.
* Moisture-wicking practice jerseys and shorts for all sports
* Specialized practice equipment including reversible jerseys
* Warm-up suits and jackets for outdoor sports
* Training shirts and performance wear
* Cold weather gear suitable for Maine climate conditions
* Off-season conditioning apparel
Sideline and Support Staff Apparel: USM requires professional sideline
apparel for coaching staff, athletic trainers, equipment managers, and support
personnel.
* Coaching polo shirts and quarter-zip pullovers
* Sideline jackets and outerwear
* Coaching pants and shorts
* Athletic department staff uniforms
* Official game day attire for all support personnel
1.1.5 Product Specifications and Quality Standards
Material and Construction Requirements: All apparel provided must meet
collegiate athletic standards for durability, performance, and appearance.
Materials should be appropriate for the demanding physical requirements of
intercollegiate athletics while maintaining professional appearance throughout
extended use. The Respondent should utilize advanced fabric technologies
including moisture management systems, antimicrobial treatments, and
enhanced durability features. All stitching and construction methods must
withstand frequent washing and intensive athletic use.
Branding and Design Standards: The vendor shall incorporate USM official
logos, wordmarks, and branding elements in accordance with established
university brand guidelines. All designs require approval from USM athletics
administration prior to production.
* Official USM athletic logos
* Southern Maine Huskies name representations
* Consistent color matching to university brand standards
* Player names and numbers as specified by coaching staff
* Conference and NCAA required markings.
Sizing and Inventory Management: The Respondent shall maintain
comprehensive sizing options to accommodate the diverse physical requirements
of USM student athletes. A complete range of sizes from extra-small through
multiple extra-large options must be available for all apparel categories. The
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vendor will work directly with USM athletic staff members to establish appropriate
inventory levels and manage seasonal ordering requirements. Emergency
replacement items must be available at short notice to address equipment
damage or loss during competition seasons.
Promotional and Giveaway Items: USM requires promotional merchandise for
special events, recruiting activities, and community engagement initiatives.
* Alumni event promotional items
* Community outreach program materials
* Special game day promotional merchandise
Fan Merchandise: The vendor shall provide USM with access to retail
merchandise featuring official university and athletic branding for sale through
campus bookstore and athletic department channels.
* T-shirts and casual wear for students and alumni
* Hats and headwear featuring USM logos
* Outerwear including hoodies and jackets
* Accessories and novelty items
* Seasonal and special event merchandise
1.1.6 Sponsorship and Partnership Elements
USM seeks a comprehensive sponsorship arrangement that provides financial
support for the athletic department while establishing the vendor as the official
athletic apparel partner. The partnership shall include annual financial
contributions to support USM athletic programs, equipment allowances, and
promotional consideration that enhances the overall value of the agreement.
Examples of such additional financial incentives are presented below. These are
suggestions only and are not presented to restrict or exclude other similar
incentives. Respondents and their manufacturers are encouraged to offer other
incentives that USM may be interested in as well.
* Signing bonus
* Contract "Kick-off" bonuses such as special rates or offers for the first
season for select teams
* Branding package
* Incentive bonuses tied to annual business thresholds
* Incentive bonuses tied to achievements such as Conference Coach of
the Year or reaching the NCAA tournaments.
Marketing and Promotional Opportunities: The selected vendor will receive
marketing benefits including logo placement on USM digital signage, website
recognition, and promotional opportunities during home athletic events.
* Signage at athletic venues
* Digital marketing presence on athletics websites and social media
* Game day promotional announcements
* Special event partnership opportunities
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1.2 General Information
1.2.1 Contract Administration and Conditions
1.2.1.1 The winning Respondent will be required to execute a contract in the
form of a University of Maine System Master Agreement, which is
attached to this response as Appendix D. The Master Agreement
initial term and renewal periods are reflected in Section 2 of Appendix
D, Master Agreement, and are subject to continued availability of
funding and satisfactory performance.
The Master Agreement entered into by the parties shall consist of the
University of Maine System Master Agreement (attached to this
document), the RFP, the selected Respondent's submission, including
all appendices or attachments and clarifications, the specifications
including all modifications thereof, and a Purchase Order or Letter of
Agreement requiring signatures of the University and the Contractor,
all of which shall be referred to collectively as the Agreement
Documents.
In the event of a conflict of terms the following precedence will apply:
1. University of Maine System Master Agreement
2. Agreement Riders as required
3. Contract Amendments (as required)
4. The University's RFP
5. Respondent's Submission
6. Purchase Order or Letter of Agreement
1.2.1.2 Modification of Agreement terms and conditions is permitted except
that the University, due to its public nature, will not:
a. Provide any defense, hold harmless or indemnity;
b. Waive any statutory or constitutional immunity;
c. Apply the law of a state other than Maine;
d. Procure types or amounts of insurance beyond those UMS
already maintains or waive any rights of subrogation.
e. Add any entity as an additional insured to UMS policies of
insurance;
f. Pay attorneys' fees, costs, expenses or liquidated damages;
g. Promise confidentiality in a manner contrary to Maine's
Freedom of Access Act;
h. Permit an entity to change unilaterally any term or condition
once the contract is signed;
i. Accept any references to terms and conditions, privacy
policies or any other websites, documents or conditions
referenced outside of the contract; or
j. Agree to automatic renewals for term(s) greater than month-
to-month.
1.2.1.3 By submitting a response to a Request for Proposal, bid or other offer
to do business with the University your entity understands and agrees
that:
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