Input sought on UND Bookstore The current contract with Barnes & Noble for the management of the Bookstore ends March 31. This will complete a 10-year agreement. In accordance with State Board of Higher Education policies, a service contract may not exceed a term of 10 years, and required UND to send out a request for proposal (RFP) to potential vendors for a new contract. A group representing faculty, staff, and students was formed and charged with the task of preparing an RFP, evaluating proposals from vendors, and making a recommendation to the vice president for finance and operations on a selected vendor. The group completed their work and made a recommendation to enter into contract negotiations with the Follett Higher Education Group, Inc. This recommendation was approved by the vice president for finance and operations. Follett Corporation is a privately held company organized under three business groups - the Follett Higher Education Group, the Follett Education Distribution Group, and the Follett Technology Solutions and International Group. The Follett Higher Education Group is the largest operator of campus bookstores with more than 820 stores under management across the United States and Canada. It also operates efollett.com , the country's leading online campus bookstore. A contract negotiations team made up of selected committee members representing faculty, staff, and students has been working with Follett on the contract. To better understand the campus vision for a bookstore, we are continuing to seek input. Suggestions will be reviewed and may be taken into consideration during negotiations. Please submit your ideas to bookstorecontract@mail.und.nodak.edu . -- Margaret Myers, associate VPFO and chair, negotiations team, and Scott Schreiner, director, purchasing.