Bookseller Partnership Service
- Client
- Ohio
- RFP Number
- MRB-57944
- Posted
- 10/14/2026
- Category
- Marketing and Branding
- Budget
- Looking for Proposal
- NAICS
- —
- Set-aside
- —
- Contact
- —
Description
AI GeneratedThe Columbus Metropolitan Library seeks a prequalified pool of bookseller partners for a three-year term to manage book sales, inventory, and point-of-sale operations for the agency Book Festival, Authors at the Library programs, and other library events. Onshore USA vendors are eligible to bid and will perform the work onsite. The selected vendors must purchase and stock inventory, fully staff the bookstore, and promote the festival through email campaigns, social media, and in-store marketing. Applicants must submit questions via email to [email protected] by October 21, 2026. Statements of Qualifications must be emailed to the same address by November 3, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST. Submissions must include a signed RFQ cover sheet, acknowledged addenda, event type selection form, W-9, certificate of insurance, and a letter detailing firm experience, relevant projects, and key personnel. Proposals will be evaluated on relevant firm and team experience, competence to perform services, and past performance reflected in references.
Key solicitation details
AI-extracted from 9.pdf. Confirm against the original documents before bidding.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library seeks to establish a prequalified pool of bookseller partners to support the Columbus Book Festival, Authors at the Library programs, and other library events on an as-needed basis for a three-year term. Proposing firms may qualify for one or both event categories.
- Issued by
- Columbus Metropolitan Library
- Issue Date
- October 13, 2026
- Questions due
- October 21, 2026
- Responses to questions posted
- October 26, 2026
- Proposals due
- November 3, 2026 No later than 12:00 Noon EST
- How to submit
- Electronic via email
- Submission details
- Submit SOQ via email to [email protected] with subject line CML #26-013 Bookseller name.
- Contract term
- Three-year term
- Place of performance
- Central Ohio, Main Library, Topiary Park, and CML branches in Franklin County, Ohio
- Insurance and bonding
- Workers Compensation Insurance per Ohio law. Automobile Liability with combined single limit of at least $2,000,000 per accident. Commercial General Liability with $2,000,000 annual aggregate and $1,000,000 per occurrence limit, naming CML as Additional Insured.
How proposals are evaluated
| Relevant firm and team experience with comparable projects | |
| Competence to perform the required services based on team qualifications | |
| Demonstrated ability to perform services competently and expeditiously | |
| Past performance as reflected in references and performance with the Library | |
| Quality and completeness of the SOQ submission | |
| References |
Scope of work
- Manage all sales of books by featured Festival authors
- Provide and operate a single point-of-sale system staffed by bookseller personnel
- Ensure the bookstore is fully staffed and operational during all Festival hours
- Purchase, stock, and manage returns for all bookstore inventory
- Promote events through customer email campaigns, social media, and in-store marketing
- Provide point-of-sale terminals with credit card processing capabilities on event days
- Remit required percentage of sales proceeds or provide equivalent discounts to CML
Minimum qualifications
- Located in Central Ohio
- 3-year track record of book sales
- Reporting bookseller to the New York Times Bestseller list
- Ability for customers to pre-purchase books through an e-commerce site or website
Documents to include with the bid
- RFQ Cover Sheet signed by an officer of the company
- Completed Appendix A - Acknowledgment of Addenda
- Completed Appendix B - Event Type Selection Form
- Completed W-9 form
- Certificate of Insurance (COI)
- Letter detailing staffing, marketing, qualifications, approach, firm overview, team, projects, and equipment
- Disclosure of lawsuits, judgments, liens, or claims within past 5 years
- Disclosure of defaults, terminations for cause, suspensions, or debarments within past 5 years
- Proposed Modifications to Terms and Conditions (if applicable)
Verify important details
Document checkConfirm submission instructions and amendments with the issuing agency before responding.
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