The Board of Governors of Missouri State University
Office of Procurement Services
901 South National Avenue
Springfield, MO 65897
Telephone: 417.836.5260
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) 8461-30
March 30, 2026
UNIVERSITY TRADEMARK LICENSING
Contract Period: July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028
Two Year Contract with Three Optional One-Year Renewals
This document constitutes a request for SEALED responses from qualified contractors
to provide University Trademark Licensing Services as specified herein, in accordance
with the requirements, terms and conditions of this Request for Proposal.
Date and Time Returnable: 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, 2026
Micki Melton E-mail: mickimelton@missouristate.edu Telephone: 417.836.6835
By signing below and submitting a response to this RFP, Contractor agrees to furnish
items and/or services pursuant to all requirements and specifications contained in this
RFP, upon either the receipt of an authorized purchase order from Missouri State
University, or receipt of a countersigned copy of the RFP.
Either occurrence shall be agreed by the parties as forming a binding contract pursuant
to the terms of the RFP set forth herein. Contractor agrees that, subject to the terms of
this RFP, any exceptions to the RFP, or other changes could disqualify the Contractor
from consideration in University’s final award.
Contractor Company Name
Date
Mailing Address
Telephone
City
State
Zip Code Facsimile
Contact Person(s)
E-Mail(s)
Printed Name
Authorized Signature
For University Use Only:
Accepted by the Missouri State University as Follows: In its entirety.
Mike Wills, Director, Procurement Micki Melton - Buyer
Title
Contract Number:
Date
Page 1 of 34
RFP 8461-30 UNIVERSITY TRADEMARK LICENSING
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Introduction - Overview and Expectations
The University is conducting an evaluation to select a collegiate licensing company (the
contractor) to operate and grow the university’s trademark licensing program. The
contractor will provide day-to-day licensing program management, brand compliance
oversight, trademark protection support, royalty administration and reporting, and
strategic retail and licensee development. After evaluating the submitted material, the
University, at its sole discretion, may determine to negotiate with the entity with the most
favorable terms as determined by the University.
The contractor should demonstrate experience managing licensing programs for
comparable institutions and maintaining relationships with local, national and online
retailers and suppliers. The contractor must assign an account team to the university
and provide a clear service model, including primary contacts, escalation paths and
expected response times.
1.1 Background
Missouri State University is a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and
graduate programs, including the professional doctorate. The university educates
students to be global citizen scholars committed to public affairs.
With system enrollment of 26,000+ students across three campuses, the University is
structured to address the special needs of the urban and rural populations it serves.
Missouri State University, Springfield is a selective admissions, graduate level teaching
and research institution. Missouri State University, West Plains is an open admissions
campus serving seven counties in south central Missouri. Missouri State University,
Mountain Grove serves Missouri’s fruit industry through operation of the State Fruit
Experiment Station. The University’s Extended Campus provides a variety of
opportunities for study that align with the needs of today’s mobile student.
The University also operates additional facilities, such as the Darr Agricultural Center in
southwest Springfield, Jordan Valley Innovation Center in downtown Springfield, Bull
Shoals Field Station near Forsyth, Baker’s Acres and Observatory near Marshfield,
Missouri State University Graduate Center in Joplin, and a branch campus at Liaoning
Normal University in Dalian, China. Missouri State’s Department of Defense and
Strategic Studies program is located near Washington, D.C., in Fairfax, Virginia.
Missouri State University’s primary website is http://www.missouristate.edu
Financial Services website: https://www.missouristate.edu/financialservices/
Page 2 of 34
2. Organization
RFP 8461-30 UNIVERSITY TRADEMARK LICENSING
This document, referred to as a Request for Proposal (RFP), is divided into the following
parts:
1.0 INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................ 2
2.0 SCOPE OF WORK .................................................................................................. 5
3.0 RESPONSE SUBMISSION INFORMATION ......................................................... 12
4.0 PRICING PAGE ...................................................................................................... 21
5.0 GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS ................................................................ 23
6.0 AFFIDAVIT OF WORK AUTHORIZATION............................................................ 33
7.0 AFFIDAVIT FOR ANTI-DISCRIMINATION AGAINST ISRAEL ACT ..................... 34
LINK – VENDOR REGISTRATION FORM FOR SERVICE CODE SE335
3. Questions
It is the Contractor’s responsibility to ask questions, request changes or clarification, or
otherwise advise the Office of Procurement Services if any language, specifications, or
requirements of the RFP/RFQ/RFI appear to inadvertently restrict or limit the
requirements of the RFP/RFQ/RFI to a single source.
Any and all communication from contractors regarding the RFP/RFQ/RFI and the
procurement process must be directed to the person as identified on the first page of
the RFP/RFQ/RFI.
Contractors are assumed to understand the RFP/RFQ/RFI and to have accepted all
terms upon signature. Any questions regarding the RFP/RFQ/RFI must be submitted in
writing. The University will review questions submitted by the Contractor and, determine
whether or not a response is warranted.
4. Timetable
For informational purposes only, Contractors are advised that the University anticipates
following the timetable set forth below with regard to this Request for Proposal.
Timetable
Deadline for RFP Response
Award Decision, Approximate
April 30th, Thursday
June
2026
2026
Page 3 of 34
5. Right to Modify or Cancel
RFP 8461-30 UNIVERSITY TRADEMARK LICENSING
5.1 University’s Right to Modify or Cancel
The University reserves the right to officially modify or cancel the RFP/RFQ/RFI after
issuance. Contractors will be notified of any such modification or cancellation by
issuance of an addendum from the University’s Office of Procurement Services.
5.2 Contractor May Modify or Withdraw a Submitted Proposal Prior to Proposed Close
Time.
The Contractor may modify or withdraw a submitted proposal prior to the Proposed
Close Date and Time by providing the University with adequate notice. For purposes of
withdrawing or modifying a bid, adequate notice can be achieved in one of the following
ways:
(1) By signed, written notice received by the University’s Office of Procurement Services
prior to the Response Close Date or,
(2) In person notification by the Contractor or its authorized representative, provided
proper identification is presented before the Proposal Close Date and Time. Telephone
requests to withdraw or modify a response will not be honored. No withdrawal or
modification will be accepted following the Proposed Close Date.
Page 4 of 34
RFP 8461-30 UNIVERSITY TRADEMARK LICENSING
2.0 SCOPE OF WORK
1. Overview and expectations
Missouri State University intends to select a collegiate licensing company (the
contractor) to operate and grow the university’s trademark licensing program. The
contractor will provide day-to-day licensing program management, brand compliance
oversight, trademark protection support, royalty administration and reporting, and
strategic retail and licensee development.
The contractor should demonstrate experience managing licensing programs for
comparable institutions and maintaining relationships with local, national and online
retailers and suppliers. The contractor must assign an account team to the university
and provide a clear service model, including primary contacts, escalation paths and
expected response times.
2. General requirements
The contractor will manage the core operations of the university’s trademark licensing
program, including:
• Licensee recruitment and onboarding: Identify, recruit and support qualified
licensees; explain program requirements; and manage onboarding and renewals.
• License agreements: Prepare, execute and administer license agreements
using university-approved templates and required terms; manage amendments,
renewals and compliance documentation.
• Program compliance and guidance: Provide ongoing guidance to licensees
and campus stakeholders to support compliant use of university marks and
adherence to brand standards.
• Quality assurance: Maintain a quality assurance program for licensed products,
including standards, review protocols and corrective action steps for
noncompliance.
• Supplier responsibility standards: Incorporate applicable labor and supplier
responsibility standards into license agreements and support compliance tracking
and remediation resources, as appropriate.
• Records retention: Maintain program records for a minimum of five years after
contract expiration or termination, or until the university’s audit is complete,
whichever occurs later.
• Royalty administration and reporting: Invoice and collect royalties; reconcile
payments; and provide regular royalty reports and remittances to the university at
least quarterly, with additional reporting available upon request.
• Audit support: Support the university’s right to inspect and audit records related
to the licensing program and cooperate with any audit requests.
Page 5 of 34
This page summarizes the opportunity, including an overview and a preview of the attached documents.