Mt. SAC is seeking requests for proposals for Athletic Apparel, Uniforms, Footwear, Kinesiology Supplies and Related Equipment for student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
Mt. SAC has 24 major sport programs requiring athletic apparel, uniforms, footwear, supplies, and related equipment. These sports include: Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Volleyball, Pep Squad, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo, and Wrestling
Mt. San Antonio College has one of the most comprehensive and powerful community college athletic programs in the country. The program oversees 24 athletic programs and serves over 800 student athletes. Mt. SAC Athletics’ programs carry a Legacy of Excellence and Distinction. With new, state of the art Athletic Facilities including Hilmer Lodge Stadium, an Aquatics Complex, Gymnasium, Wellness Center, and Heritage Hall, Mt. SAC is one of the largest and most advanced community college athletics complexes in the United States.
Mt. SAC has a long track record of producing high-level transfer and professional athletes, especially in track & field, football, and distance running. Many student-athletes use Mt. SAC as a stepping-stone to NCAA Division I programs, with a significant number transferring annually to universities in the UC, CSU, and major private college systems.
The college is particularly famous for its track & field and cross country pipeline, where athletes frequently compete at national junior college championships before moving on to elite NCAA programs and, in some cases, professional or Olympic-level competition. Mt. SAC’s football and other team sports also regularly send players to four-year universities, where they continue their athletic and academic careers. Overall, Mt. SAC functions as one of California’s most important development and transfer hubs for collegiate athletics, especially for athletes who are looking to improve academically, physically, or competitively before moving to the next level.
High-quality uniforms are an important part of Mt. San Antonio College athletics because they directly support performance, safety, and program identity across its large and competitive sports system. Well-designed uniforms use modern performance fabrics that help regulate body temperature, improve mobility, and withstand the demands of a long collegiate season with frequent travel and competition.
Uniform quality also matters for team cohesion and recruitment, since Mt. SAC competes at a high level among California community colleges and regularly attracts student-athletes aiming to transfer to four-year programs. Consistent, professional-grade uniforms help reinforce a strong program brand during high-visibility events like track meets, football games, and championships hosted at Hilmer Lodge Stadium.
Finally, durable uniforms are a practical necessity for an institution with hundreds of athletes across multiple sports, ensuring that gear lasts through intensive use while maintaining a polished and unified appearance for the college.
Background
Since 1946, Mt. San Antonio College has been one of the premier community colleges in the nation. Today, Mt. SAC is home to more than 58,000 students annually, and our mission is to create an environment of excellence, where the best can thrive. The Mt. SAC Athletics Programs are a vital part of this mission.
Each year, Mt. SAC Athletics welcomes more than 800 student-athletes to campus, and each year they are among the college’s top-performing students. At Mt. SAC, we believe our athletes are students first. We take great pride in working with our athletes to develop the values, disciplines, and habits that make them some of the best students on campus.
Athletics is an integral part of our students’ education, and education is an integral part of Mt. SAC Athletics. When they graduate, we know our student-athletes are prepared for whatever opportunities that lie ahead.
Mountie Athletics: History in the Making
Over the years, our 24 teams have earned:
- Over 250 Conference Championships
- 101 State Championships
- 15 Consecutive Supremacy Awards
- 14 NATYCAA Cup Championships
- 5 National Championships
- 2 Learfield Sports Directors Cup Championships
Today, the Mt. SAC Athletics program continues to build on this legacy. In 2015 and 2025, Mt. SAC Athletics was named the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Community College National Champion, the most prestigious title a collegiate athletics program can earn.
For more information on Mt. SAC Athletics, please visit www.mtsacathletics.com.
Project Details
- Reference ID: 2026-061
- Department: Kinesiology, Athletics & Dance
- Department Head: Joe Jennum (Dean/Director of Athletics)
Important Dates
- Questions Due: 2026-05-11T21:00:00.000Z
- Pre-Proposal Meeting: 2026-05-04T21:00:00.000Z — https://mtsac-edu.zoom.us/j/85262554230?from=addon
Addenda
Evaluation Criteria
- Cover Letter and Description of Services (5 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Clearly introduces its organization, including structure, headquarters, mission, and overall professionalism and stability
- Provides a high-level overview of athletic apparel, uniform offerings, and related services, demonstrating relevance to a collegiate athletics environment
- Demonstrates a strong understanding of community college athletics programs, including multi-sport operations, student-athlete needs, and institutional requirements
- Specifies years of experience in the athletic apparel/uniform industry, with greater consideration for extensive and relevant experience
- Highlights relevant experience with California Community Colleges or similar organizations, including examples of clients, partnerships, or contracts
- Identifies core strengths (e.g., customization, turnaround time, quality, customer service, quality control), supported by examples or measurable results where possible
- Clearly articulates differentiators, including unique value propositions, innovations, or service models
- Demonstrates alignment with Mt. San Antonio College’s mission and values (e.g., student success, equity, community engagement, sustainability)
- Provides a compelling rationale for selection, clearly linking company capabilities to District priorities and expected outcomes
- Concludes with a professional and enthusiastic statement reflecting interest in a long-term, collaborative partnership
- Experience with High-Volume Orders for Large Collegiate Athletic Programs (20 pts) —
Evaluation will be based on the vendor’s demonstrated ability to successfully manage high-volume orders for large collegiate athletic programs.
Proposals will be evaluated on the extent to which the proposer:
- Demonstrates depth and relevance of experience with collegiate athletic programs, including detailed descriptions of past or current partnerships, and the size, scope, and duration of each engagement
- Provides clear evidence of scale and complexity in prior work, including order volumes, seasonal demand fluctuations, and multi-sport or multi-team coordination
- Outlines a well-defined operational approach for managing large, complex, multi-stakeholder orders
- Demonstrates the ability to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistency in high-volume fulfillment, supported by examples and measurable performance indicators (e.g., KPIs)
- Shows capability to scale operations during peak demand periods through effective inventory management and forecasting practices
- Describes the use of technology systems for order management, tracking, and reporting
- Demonstrates the ability to identify and resolve challenges in high-volume operational environments
- Provides strong supporting evidence, including case studies, references, and performance metrics
- Relationship with Manufacturer and Inventory Management (25 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Demonstrates an established and direct relationship with the manufacturer(s) of proposed products
- Provides clear evidence of authorized access to products and/or distribution channels
- Describes the nature of the relationship (e.g., direct manufacturer, authorized distributor, preferred partner) and its relevance to supply reliability
- Demonstrates the ability to secure consistent and timely access to inventory to meet District demand, including during peak periods
- Identifies processes for inventory assurance, allocation, and fulfillment prioritization
- Provides evidence that manufacturer relationships support product availability, continuity of supply, and risk mitigation for stock shortages or delays
- Includes supporting documentation, references, or examples demonstrating successful fulfillment through these manufacturer relationships
- Online Design Platform for Staff to Create Customized Athletic Apparel/Uniforms (5 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Provides an intuitive, user-friendly design interface accessible via web browser on desktop and mobile devices
- Enables real-time design visualization (e.g., live previews/mockups)
- Offers a wide selection of apparel styles, sizes, and product types with robust customization options (logos, colors, fonts, numbering, placement)
- Includes design flexibility through templates and/or custom artwork uploads
- Ensures compliance with District branding through controls such as approved logos, colors, and fonts, including the ability for the District to restrict or pre-approve design elements
- Prevents unauthorized or non-compliant branding from being produced
- Supports role-based access and allows the District to manage user permissions and design authorization
- Provides a clear workflow for design submission, review, and approval, including notifications and version tracking, with no production occurring without District approval
- Seamlessly integrates design, ordering, and fulfillment into a unified process
- Provides training resources and ongoing technical support for users
- Demonstrates reliable system performance, including uptime, responsiveness, and defined maintenance and support practices
- Web/Online Storefront Offering (5 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Provides a secure, fully functional e-commerce platform accessible via desktop and mobile devices, with an intuitive, user-friendly interface that meets accessibility standards (e.g., ADA compliance)
- Demonstrates the ability to support high traffic volumes with reliable system performance
- Ensures consistent use of District-approved branding (logos, colors, design elements), with all content subject to District approval prior to publication
- Offers flexible apparel customization options (e.g., sport-, school-, or event-specific designs)
- Provides a broad range of quality athletic apparel and related products suitable for athletic use, supported by effective inventory management practices
- Maintains pricing aligned with proposed discounts, with clear communication of any promotions, bulk pricing, or seasonal offers, and acknowledges the District’s right to audit pricing for compliance
- Supports secure payment processing with multiple payment options, along with order tracking, confirmations, and clear production, shipping, and delivery timelines
- Delivers responsive customer service for inquiries, returns, exchanges, and issue resolution, with accessible support channels (e.g., email and phone)
- Provides the District with access to sales reporting (e.g., revenue, product performance, customer trends) on both scheduled and on-demand bases
- Ensures compliance with all applicable data privacy and security requirements, including protection of customer and District data
- Outlines marketing and promotional strategies for the webstore, including coordination with and approval from the District
- Provides a clear implementation plan (setup, testing, launch) and ongoing maintenance, updates, and technical support
- Pricing Proposal (25 pts) —
This section evaluates all pricing and financial components of the proposal. Scores will be based on the percentage (%) discounts and financial information provided in the Pricing Proposal, as well as the criteria outlined below.
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the vendor:
- Clearly presents MSRP-based percentage (%) discounts in a transparent and understandable format
- Confirms that all proposed discounts, rebates, and incentives are firm and will remain in effect for the full term of the agreement
- Clearly defines and outlines all rebates and incentives, including structure, timing, and eligibility
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of Mt. SAC’s expectations regarding transparency and accountability in the receipt of any institutional credits, rebates, or incentives
- Provides rebates and incentives that are competitive and reflect a strong commitment to partnership with Mt. SAC
- Submits all rebate and incentive information within the designated section of the proposal, without reliance on supplemental or external documentation
Deductions:
- Points may be deducted for inclusion of unrelated or extraneous materials in this section that are not specifically requested
- References (10 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Provides references demonstrating experience with high-volume orders for collegiate athletic programs, preferably Division I or similar institutions
- Includes relevant details for each reference, such as institution name, scope of work, order volume, and duration of engagement
- Demonstrates successful performance in managing large-scale, multi-team or multi-season orders
- Provides references that can speak to the proposer’s reliability, accuracy, timeliness, and overall service quality
- Highlights experience that is comparable in size, complexity, and operational demands to Mt. San Antonio College
- Warranty, Refund, and Return Policies (5 pts) —
Evaluation will consider the extent to which the proposer:
- Provides clear, well-defined policies for returns and exchanges, including eligibility, timelines, and conditions
- Offers a streamlined and user-friendly process for handling returns and exchanges for both the District and individual purchasers
- Demonstrates flexibility in accommodating sizing issues, defective items, and order discrepancies, particularly in team or bulk orders
- Defines warranty coverage for apparel, footwear, and uniforms, including duration, scope (e.g., defects, workmanship, durability), and exclusions
- Provides efficient resolution processes for defective or damaged products, including repair, replacement, or credit
- Demonstrates reasonable turnaround times for processing returns, exchanges, and warranty claims
- Minimizes administrative burden on District staff through clear procedures and vendor-managed solutions
- Provides accessible customer support to manage returns, exchanges, and warranty claims
- Includes any value-added services (e.g., prepaid return shipping, dedicated support, proactive issue resolution)
- Demonstrates a track record of successfully managing returns, exchanges, and warranty issues, supported by examples or performance metrics
Submission Requirements
- Cover Letter/Description of Services (required) —
Please provide a cover letter explain interest in this RFP with a detailed outline of the products and services offered. Letters and responses should include the following:
- A clear introduction to your company, including name, organizational structure, headquarters location, and overall mission
- A high-level overview of the products and services you offer, specifically related to athletic apparel, uniforms, and associated services
- A demonstration of your understanding of the needs, scale, and operational requirements of a community college athletics program, including multi-sport environments and student-athlete considerations
- The number of years your company has experience in the athletic apparel and/or uniform industry
- Relevant experience working with California Community Colleges or similar organizations, including examples of past or current clients, partnerships, or contracts
- Your company’s core strengths (e.g., customization capabilities, turnaround time, product quality, customer service, quality control), supported by examples or measurable outcomes where possible
- A clear explanation of what differentiates your company from competitors, including any unique value propositions or innovations
- A description of how your company aligns with the values and priorities of Mt. San Antonio College (e.g., student success, equity, community engagement, sustainability)
- A compelling explanation of why Mt. SAC should consider your company, including how your capabilities align with District needs and expected outcomes
- A closing statement expressing your interest and enthusiasm for establishing a long-term partnership with Mt. SAC
- Please clearly identify which brand(s) proposer is officially authorized to resell/distribute. (required) —
Proposer must clearly identify the brand(s) they are offering as a manufacturer, or an officially authorized reseller/distributor of the brand.
The District desires to utilize the same brand of apparel (when available) for uniforms for the following teams: Baseball, Basketball, Beach Volleyball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Volleyball, Pep Squad, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo, and Wrestling.
Vendor must clearly identify the brand(s) they offer in relation to the listed sports.
If propose does not offer, or cannot offer, the same brand of uniforms or apparel across all sports, proposer must clearly identify which sports do not have availability within the proposed brand and listed any proposed equal uniforms.
- How do you price your products? (required) —
Please ensure your answer addresses the following sub questions:
- Are shipping costs included in proposed pricing?
- Is pricing based on a discount from a manufacturer’s price list, catalog, or a fixed price?
- Is the vendor responding with a total catalog offering?
- Exclusions to Proposed Percentage Discounts —
Please only complete this section if applicable.
Please clearly identify all exclusions to your proposed percentage discounts. Please clearly specify brands, product lines, and product names.
District, in its sole discretion, will deduct points from for exclusions that appear excessive. This RFP has been established to create consistent "percentage off MSRP" pricing. Any exclusions to this should be minimal and due to restrictions from the manufacturer, nature of the product, etc.
- Policies, processes, and capabilities related to returns, exchanges, and product warranties (required) —
Please describe your company’s policies, processes, and capabilities related to returns, exchanges, and product warranties for items proposed under this RFP.
Your response should address the following:
- Your return and exchange policies, including eligibility, timelines, and any conditions or limitations
- The process for handling returns and exchanges for both the District and individual purchasers, including ease of use
- Your approach to resolving common issues such as sizing discrepancies, defective items, and order errors, particularly for team or bulk orders
- Warranty coverage details, including duration, scope (e.g., defects, workmanship, durability), and any exclusions
- Procedures for addressing defective or damaged products, including options for repair, replacement, or credit
- Typical turnaround times for processing returns, exchanges, and warranty claims
- How your processes minimize administrative burden on District staff
- Customer support available to assist with returns, exchanges, and warranty claims
- Any value-added services (e.g., prepaid return shipping, dedicated support, proactive issue resolution)
- Examples, references, or performance metrics demonstrating your effectiveness in managing returns, exchanges, and warranty services
- Rebates and Incentives (required) —
What rebates, support, and/or incentives, if any, are being offered to the District as part of this proposal?
Please include a spreadsheet or document that identifies each support component, including its type, structure, and dollar value, and whether the support is provided in the form of cash, product credit, or merchandise.
The spreadsheet must clearly indicate whether each amount is guaranteed or conditional and disclose any spend, volume, or performance conditions tied to the amount. The spreadsheet must include all financial incentives, product credits, merchandise allotments, bonuses, exclusivity fees, rebates, and other support identified anywhere in the Proposer’s response to this solicitation.
Any and all rebates and incentives will be publicly disclosed and clearly documentation in vendor's proposal.
Any attempt to offer a rebate, support, or incentive outside of a clear, proposed, structure document shall be grounds for the disqualification of the Vendor.
Vendor's may not, under any circumstances:
- Offer payment, support, or incentives to individuals (employees, consultants, administrators). All rebates will be paid directly to the institution.
- Pay to influence selection before award
- Offer or provide incentives not included in vendor's proposal
- Offer a “side payment” outside the proposal
Do not upload any additional or unrequested documents into this upload link. Please only include your spreadsheet or document that identifies proposed support/rebates. Any additional, unauthorized documentation added into this section may lead to disqualification.
- References (required) —
Please provide a minimum of three References for projects of similar size and scope.
- References should demonstrate proposers experience with high-volume orders for collegiate athletic programs, preferably California Community Colleges, or similar
- Provides clear company/agency names that can speak to the proposer’s reliability, accuracy, timeliness, and overall service quality
- Oder spend and year project was completed is included clearly
References should clearly show school/company/agency name, contact name and title, address, email, and phone number
- Catalog Submission Requirement —
Vendors can upload a complete and current catalog of all products offered that are relevant to this solicitation, including but not limited to athletic apparel, uniforms, footwear, and related supplies and equipment.
Catalog submissions should include the following information for each item:
- Brand name
- Manufacturer
- Product description and specifications
- Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)
- Proposed discounted price and/or discount percentage
- Any additional information related to the product (sales, volume discounts, etc.)
Vendors shall ensure that all catalog information is accurate, clearly organized, and reflective of products available for purchase under any resulting agreement.
Do not include items in this upload that are exempt from discounts being proposed in this RFP. If they are included, the exclusion of the proposed discounts needs to be clearly defined in the exclusions section. Excessive exclusions will result in point deductions.
Important: This file upload is strictly limited to product catalog information offered by a proposer. Vendors are expressly prohibited from including any additional materials in this upload area, including but not limited to vendor agreements, terms and conditions, or other unrequested documentation. Inclusion of such materials may result in the submission being deemed nonresponsive and/or may result in point deductions in applicable evaluation categories.
- Non-Collusion Declaration (required) —
The undersigned declares, states and certifies that:
- The Bid Proposal is not made in the interest of, or on behalf of, any undisclosed person, partnership, company, association, organization or corporation.
- The Bid Proposal is genuine and not collusive or sham.
- The bidder has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other bidder to put in a false or sham bid, and has not directly or indirectly colluded, conspired, connived, or agreed with any other bidder or anyone else to put in sham bid, or to refrain from bidding.
- The bidder has not in any manner, directly or indirectly, sought by agreement, communication, or conference with anyone to fix the bid price, or that of any other bidder, or to fix any overhead, profit or cost element of the bid price or that of any other bidder, or to secure any advantage against the public body awarding the contract or of anyone interested in the proposed contract.
- All statements contained in the Bid Proposal and related documents are true.
- The bidder has not, directly or indirectly, submitted the bid price or any breakdown thereof, or the contents thereof, or divulged information or data relative thereto, or paid, and will not pay, any fee to any person, corporation, partnership, company, association, organization, bid depository, or to any member or agent thereof to effectuate a collusive or sham bid.
- Drug Free Certificate (required) —
I am aware of the provisions and requirements of California Government Code §§8350 et seq., the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1990.
I am authorized to certify, and do certify, on behalf of Contractor that a drug free workplace will be provided by Contractor by doing all of the following:
- Publishing a statement notifying employees that the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in Contractor's workplace and specifying actions which will be taken against employees for violation of the prohibition;
- Establishing a drug-free awareness program to inform employees about all of the following:
- The dangers of drug abuse in the workplace;
- Contractor's policy of maintaining a drug-free workplace;
- The availability of drug counseling, rehabilitation and employee-assistance programs; and
- The penalties that may be imposed upon employees for drug abuse violations;
- Requiring that each employee engaged in the performance of the Contract be given a copy of the statement required by subdivision (A), above, and that as a condition of employment by Contractor in connection with the Work of the Contract, the employee agrees to abide by the terms of the statement.
- Contractor agrees to fulfill and discharge all of Contractor's obligations under the terms and requirements of California Government Code §8355 by, inter alia, publishing a statement notifying employees concerning: (a) the prohibition of any controlled substance in the workplace, (b) establishing a drug-free awareness program, and (c) requiring that each employee engaged in the performance of the Work of the Contract be given a copy of the statement required by California Government Code §8355(a) and requiring that the employee agree to abide by the terms of that statement.
Contractor and I understand that if the District determines that Contractor has either: (a) made a false certification herein, or (b) violated this certification by failing to carry out and to implement the requirements of California Government Code §§8355, the Contract awarded herein is subject to termination, suspension of payments, or both. Contractor and I further understand that, should Contractor violate the terms of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990, Contractor may be subject to debarment in accordance with the provisions of California Government Code §§8350, et seq.
Contractor and I are aware of the provisions of California Government Code §§8350, et seq. and hereby certify that Contractor and I will adhere to, fulfill, satisfy and discharge all provisions of and obligations under the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1990.
I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that all of the foregoing is true and correct.
- IRAN CONTRACTING ACT CERTIFICATION (Public Contract Code § 2204) (required) —
Pursuant to Public Contract Code (PCC) section 2204, an Iran Contracting Act certification is required for solicitations of goods or services of one million dollars ($1,000,000) or more.
I certify that I am duly authorized to legally bind the Vendor/Contractor to this certification, that the contents of this certification are true, and that this certification is made under the laws of the State of California.
Vendor/Contractor shall check ONLY ONE of the following choices below:
- Cost Proposal (required)
- Acknowledgement (required) —
I certify that I have downloaded, read, understood and agreed to all of the solicitation and contract documents herein.
- Use of College Standard Agreement (required) —
The Vendor acknowledges, understands, and agrees that as a condition of being awarded any contract resulting from this solicitation, the Vendor must accept and execute the College’s standard agreement(s), samples of which have been provided as part of this solicitation. The Vendor further agrees that the College’s standard agreement and its terms and conditions shall govern the contractual relationship between the parties.
Failure or refusal by the Vendor to accept and execute the College’s standard agreement, without modification or exception, may be deemed non-responsive and may result in rejection of the Vendor’s proposal or bid. Any proposed changes, deviations, or exceptions to the College’s agreement or standard terms may be grounds for disqualification at the sole discretion of the College.
- Project Description: (required) —
Please provide a brief description of the project. Your answer will populate the Introduction Summary Section.
- Contract Term (required) —
Please enter the estimated term of this project:
EXAMPLE:
"The contract term is estimated to be for one year from start to finish"
- Contract start date (required) —
enter the contract start date:
MM/DD/YYYY
- Is a Pricing Table Required? (required)