Promotional Merchandise Program (PMP) eCommerce Website

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to gather industry insight that that will assist in the development of a forthcoming Request for Proposals (RFP) for a branded online promotional merchandise store. Through this RFI, RTD seeks to better understand the most effective and sustainable procurement and operational structures for a hosted, full-service e-commerce platform serving both public customers and internal staff. Specifically, RTD is requesting information that will help define an appropriate Scope of Work, identify best practices in vendor-managed fulfillment models, and clarify the optimal allocation of responsibilities between the agency and the selected contractor.

In addition, RTD is seeking market intelligence regarding technology infrastructure, cybersecurity standards, accessibility compliance, and system integration capabilities necessary to support a secure and scalable online store environment. The RFI also aims to gather information on pricing models and long-term cost controls, including strategies for multi-year price guarantees, escalation management, and transparency in a volatile supply chain and materials market. This information will allow RTD to structure a competitive RFP that promotes fiscal responsibility, minimizes risk, and ensures a reliable and modern online retail experience aligned with public agency procurement standards.

In previous solicitations for promotional merchandise and related services, RTD encountered challenges that limited competition and reduced the overall effectiveness of the procurement process. Prior scopes of work were at times overly prescriptive or technical, which may have constrained vendor creativity and discouraged participation from qualified firms offering scalable, modern e-commerce solutions. In some cases, requirements were structured around specific operational assumptions rather than performance outcomes, making it difficult to evaluate alternative service models.

RTD also experienced challenges related to long-term pricing structures in a market characterized by material cost volatility, supply chain disruption, and fluctuating freight rates. Multi-year agreements did not always sufficiently account for escalation controls, price transparency mechanisms, or defined pricing hold periods, creating uncertainty for both the agency and vendors. As a result, RTD is seeking input from the marketplace to better understand how to structure future solicitations to balance fiscal predictability with market realities, encourage broader competition, and establish sustainable pricing protections over the life of a contract.