Kearney Public Schools Administration Office, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
KEARNEY — Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department is excited to announce the Request for Proposal (RFP) for an exclusive sponsorship agreement with a local business to provide vital funding support.
This partnership aims to enhance the athletic programs and facilities at Kearney Public Schools, with the sponsorship commencing on Sept. 1, 2024.
“This partnership offers a unique opportunity for a local business to support Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department while gaining significant visibility and engagement within the community,” said Hogue. “We look forward to collaborating with a Champion Level Corporate Partner dedicated to the success of our student-athletes and the Bearcats community.”
PROJECT OVERVIEW / GENERAL INFORMATION:
It is the intent of Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department to enter into an exclusive sponsorship agreement with a local business to provide funding to support the Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department starting September 1, 2024.
RIGHT TO REJECT PROPOSAL AND WAIVE INFORMALITIES:
Kearney Public Schools reserves the right to reject any and all responses as a result of this request and is not liable for any cost incurred by any person or firm responding to this request. This request does not require Kearney Public Schools to enter into a contract with any respondent.
TERMS OF CONTRACT:
Prepare proposals for a minimum of a (3) three-year and no more than (5) five-year contract at a minimum amount of $40,000 per year for the Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department Exclusive (ONE) Champion Level Corporate Partner. “The Official Sponsor of the Kearney High School Bearcats.”
The winning proposal/business will receive the following:
Marketing/ Advertising Includes:
• Digital Brand Wrapper @ KHS Main & Aux Gymnasiums
o Memorial Field (Legion and Spring Baseball) – Ads will run accordingly in Spring 2025 with pano ads as well as cinema commercial ads.
o Friday Night Lights at UNK – Working with a different company but our contract is established with UNK to run KHS ads for the next 9+ years once that scoreboard is replaced. We play some Soccer Games at UNK as well. KHS Soccer Tournament and duals when UNK track needs our track.
• Pre-Game Cinema Ads in all venues with Digital Boards.
• Timeout Cinema Ad – When Time allows for us to play a Timeout ad when we do not have Cheerleaders or the Band playing, we will do that.
• Halftime Cinema Ad
• Panorama Ad
• Fan App Bonus
• Public Address Announcements:
o Every venue that is used by KHS for Varsity athletics and a PA is hired.
• Monthly Social Media “Blasts” Showcasing Champion Level Sponsor with our Teams
o The business and KHS Media Productions will work together to announce special events and or promote their business on-site with selected athletic teams per the established policies of KPS Board of Education.
Exclusive Champion Level Corporate Sponsor of the Kearney Bearcats
Sole Championship Level Corporate Sponsor Scoreboard Wrap
Athletic Venue Static Advertisement Package Includes:
KHS, Sunrise and Horizon Gym Floor Graphic Advertising (4 courts)
Football, Track and Soccer Outside Scoreboard (Starting in 2025) at Kearney High School.
(We can negotiate terms for 2024 without this option as the outside board is under contract for the 24-25 school year)
Sunrise and Horizon Middle Schools Football, Track and Soccer Outside Scoreboards.
A commitment to go all digital at Kearney High School by 2027-2028 that includes the brand digital wrap and static.
Sunrise: (NEW Competition Turf and Track Facility with New Scoreboard)
Kearney High School Main Gym Scoreboard (East End), Horizon and Sunrise Inside Scoreboards.
Kearney High School Fence Screen @ Memorial, KHS, SMS & HMS.
3 x Tournament Sponsorships of the Business Choice
Example: Softball, Volleyball, Wrestling (logo on brackets), Track, Soccer, etc.
Free to set up Booths on chosen Fall-Winter and Spring Events at KHS
• Joint Sponsored Family Movie Night on Football Field – Food donated by business. School groups such as STUCO, FBLA or FFA will help host.
• 15 x Adult Season Passes – Admission into all KHS Athletic Events
o Value $1,500-2,250 value the next 10 years
• 4 x Reserved Seating Spots in KHS Main Gym at Varsity Games
• 2 x 50 Yard Line Mezzanine Tables at Cope Stadium
• 1 x Regular Season Football Game “Hang with KPS Administration Night” in the Wiens Room @ UNK – Up to 40 People. FREE Catering Included!
• 1 x Winter “Champion Level Sponsor” Appreciation Social at a TBD event.
• FREE Annual Gift and Swag Bags x 5
o Includes Polos, Flags, Hats, Pro-V Golf Balls, K Hitches, Koozies, etc..
• First Right of Refusal for TWO Grilling Events:
o Jag-Hawk Golf Tournament and KHS Staff End of Year Luncheon
1 x FREE Team Entry into Tournament ($500 Value)
DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF THE BID FROM THE BUSINESS, OTHER AREAS THAT CAN BE NEGOTIATED TO PROMOTE OUR CHAMPION-LEVEL CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP:
1 – Clear Bags: We order clear bags every year – we could easily incorporate some bags with the K or Paw and the business logo on them.
2 – Golf Balls with Business Logo on Them: We purchase Pro V1 golf balls every year with the K or Paw logos for our annual swag bags to our sponsors but also for our golf teams to use. We could easily order some golf balls with the chosen business logo on them and distribute to our sponsors as well as give aways at our many fundraisers throughout the school year…..including 4-5 golf tournaments that we currently have on an annual basis.
3 – K and PAW Koozies with Business Logo: We order a lot of Koozies with our logo on them. We could easily incorporate another logo on one side as well.
PROPOSED REQUEST:
The proposal winner shall be the exclusive Champion Level Corporate Sponsor for Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department. The sponsor shall have the right to promote the fact that they are the sponsor of the Kearney Bearcats where they see fit.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
No oral presentations will be made to any provider as to the meaning of the Request for Proposal. Any oral communication will be considered unofficial and non-binding. Unauthorized contact by the provider with the Kearney Public Schools board members, administration and staff Request for Proposal or the award of the contract may result in the disqualification of the provider. Any request for interpretation of the Request for Proposal shall be made in writing to Ryan Hogue.
Four copies of the proposal must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked plainly and prominently as follows: Response to Kearney Public Schools Athletic Department for Proposal for Exclusive Sponsorship services.
The proposal should be addressed to Ryan Hogue, Director of Athletics for Kearney Public Schools at 2702 West 11th, Kearney, NE 68845. Bidders who intend on submitting a proposal should notify Ryan no later than July 24, 2024, via phone or text at 402-469-3919.
Proposals are due no later than 2:00 pm on July 31, 2024. No proposals will be accepted after the above due date and time. No fax submittals and no email submittals will be accepted. Information contained in all proposals will be opened by the KPS Administration.
The following submission guidelines & requirements apply to this Request for Proposal:
First and foremost, only companies / businesses operating in the City of Kearney should submit a proposal.
Bidders intending on submitting a proposal should notify Ryan Hogue no later than July 24, 2024.
Each proposal must contain the following information:
• Respondent’s Name
• Title
• Mailing Address
• Telephone Number
• E-mail Address
• Company Name
• Company Address
• Identify by name, the contact liaison between your company and the KPS Athletics Department, along with the date and times in which the liaison is available for contact.
• Attach any policies and/or procedures of the company which the Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department shall be required to comply with during the term of the agreement.
• Include the annual donation amount your company is proposing for this 3-year minimum or 5-year maximum exclusive agreement.
• All proposals must be valid for a period of at least thirty (30) days from the above due date.
• If it is determined that no responsive proposals are received by the Kearney Public Schools Athletics Department, then Kearney Public Schools reserves the right to further solicit and negotiate for the best terms and conditions at the best price.
• Kearney Public Schools reserves the right to conduct discussions with any or all respondents to this Request for Proposal, for the purposes of clarification and modification. Discussions and negotiations may include, but are not limited to, the scope of services, price, and contract terms.
• The selected company/business shall be required to enter into and execute a Sponsorship Agreement with Kearney Public Schools. The Agreement, also known as a “Memorandum of Understanding,” will be created in conjunction with the winning bidder and KPS.
• The company/business shall indemnify and hold harmless Kearney Public Schools and any employee, Board member, or agent from and against all claims, damages or losses, decrees or judgments arising from any and all injuries resulting from or caused by any act, omission, failure, or neglect of the provider, its agents, or employees.
Other sponsorship opportunities are available. For information about these other sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ryan Hogue at ryahogue@kearneycats.com or 402-469-3919.
