Florida High School Athletic Association
Official All-Sport Ball Partnership
Request for Proposal
Outline and Specifications
December 1, 2015
Florida High School Athletic Association
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
1801 NW 80th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352) 372-9551
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for your interest in the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and, more
specifically, your interest in becoming the Association’s Official All-Sports Ball Partner. The FHSAA
postseason (Play-ins, Districts, Regionals, and State Championships), titled the FHSAA State Series, are
the premier high school events in the state of Florida and showcase the state’s best high school studentathletes. The FHSAA is undergoing a selection process for an Official All-Sports Ball Partner to provide
product and financial support to the Association and its member schools by becoming a corporate sponsor
of the FHSAA State Series.
FHSAA Overview
The Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1920 by
a group of principals to promote, direct, supervise, and regulate interscholastic athletic programs in which
high school students, whose schools are members, compete. Through the cooperative efforts of nearly 700
member high schools and 100 member middle schools since then, the FHSAA has provided opportunities
for high school students in Florida to participate on a fair and equitable basis in interscholastic athletic
competition, which has produced vital educational benefits.
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Each year the FHSAA sponsors over 6,000 State Series contests through which 141 teams and 294
individuals are determined and crowned state champions in 32 qualifying sports (16 boys & 16 girls).
Over 2,000 student athletes annually gain the experience of winning a state championship. Through
participation in these athletic programs, nearly 800,000 students annually are extended opportunities to
receive lessons in the Association’s core values: leadership, sportsmanship and citizenship.
Proposal Purpose
The purpose of this proposal is to obtain both product and financial support for the FHSAA State Series
Championship Events in the following sports:
Team Sports

Baseball

Basketball (Boys and Girls)

Football

Flag Football

Lacrosse (Boys and Girls)

Volleyball (Boys and Girls)

Soccer (Boys and Girls)

Softball

Water Polo (Boys and Girls)
Individual/Team Sports:

Golf (Boys and Girls)

Tennis (Boys and Girls)
All provided Official Ball product should conform to and be authenticated by the National Federation of
High Schools (NFHS) rule books, which are sport specific, in regards to their outlined ball standards. The
FHSAA also operates under the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) standards
for Flag Football, the United States Golf Association (USGA) for Golf, and the United States Tennis
Association (USTA) for Tennis.
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FHSAA Official All-Sport Ball Partner Benefits
Becoming an FHSAA Official Ball Partner means you will be considered an FHSAA corporate sponsor,
receiving the many geographical and long-term exposure benefits provided within that partnership. The
FHSAA’s membership (made up of both Public and Private schools) provides each corporate sponsor
with access to a varied cross section of Florida’s population:

High school and middle school aged student-athletes, their peers, and their friends

Parents and other family members of all ages from various ethnic, cultural, and
socioeconomic backgrounds.
The FHSAA would be willing to negotiate directly with the top ranking proposal(s) on the sponsorship
package(s) and benefits that will work best for the chosen partnership. Current corporate sponsors receive
exposure and benefits via the FHSAA’s traditional channels of communication, including but not limited
to:

FHSAA direct to school administration correspondence

FHSAA State Championship Event recognition (2014-2015 State Championship Total
Attendance was 148,386 across all sports)

FHSAA.org: The Official FHSAA website with 11.6 million page views during the 20142015 academic school year

Potential social media alerts. The FHSAA is continuing to grow its social media presence,
which currently maintains a following of:


Twitter – 13,000+ followers

Facebook – 6,000+ fans

Instagram – 800+ followers
The FHSAA also has two (2) media broadcast partners that provide live web streaming and
television coverage of FHSAA State Championship and other State Series events, with each
providing a growing amount of opportunities to showcase your brand and product. The
NFHS Network (live web streaming) and the Bright House Sports Network (television and
web streaming) produced over three hundred live State Series sporting events during the
2014-2015 school year alone.

Also, because of our partnership with the Bright House Sports Network and their
media distribution partners like Cox Sports Television (CST), live television
broadcasts reach up to twenty (20) additional states outside of Florida.

Live web-streaming of events can also be accessed worldwide and as needed OnDemand.
# # #
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Proposal Submission Guidelines
The deadline for submission of your proposal is: 5 p.m. E.S.T., Monday, February 1, 2016.
Proposals should be addressed and/or emailed to:
J.A. Colasanti, Contract Specialist
[email protected]
(352) 372-9551 ext. 395
Florida High School Athletic Association
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
1801 NW 80th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32606-9176
The FHSAA staff will thoroughly examine each proposal received. Fulfillment of the essential criteria
outlined, the financial contribution, and specific advantages and disadvantages of each proposal will be
the foundation of this examination. The FHSAA Executive Director or his designee will negotiate with
prospective bidders and will enter into an agreement on the Association’s behalf, once the contract has
been negotiated to the FHSAA’s satisfaction.
The expected announcement date of the FHSAA’s newly formed partnership will be:
Friday, March 25, 2016
Questions regarding the proposal outline and specifications should be directed to:
J.A. Colasanti
Contract Specialist
(352) 372-9551 ext. 395
[email protected]
# # #
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SELECTION TIMELINE
The FHSAA in selecting a provider will adhere to the following time schedule as closely as possible:
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Proposal outline and specifications document mailed to
interested parties and posted through various mediums.
Monday, February 1, 2016
Final proposals due in the FHSAA Office by end of business
day (5:00 p.m. EST).
No later than
FHSAA staff finalizes and makes recommendation to
Friday, February 19, 2016
Executive Director relative to preferred provider; Executive
Director or his designee begins negotiations with prospective
provider.
No later than
Agreement in principle reached; FHSAA announces
Friday, March 25, 2016
chosen provider to the public.
Friday, July 1, 2016
Partnership(s)/Agreement effective date
# # #
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Participating FHSAA Schools by Sport
(2015-2016)
Sport
Baseball
Boys Basketball
Girls Basketball
Football
Flag Football
Golf
Boys Lacrosse
Girls Lacrosse
Boys Volleyball
Girls Volleyball
Boys Soccer
Girls Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Water Polo (B&G)
Number of
Classifications
9
8
8
8
8
3
1
1
1
8
5
5
9
4
1
Number of
Schools
624
684
644
555
265
526
189
167
155
661
585
559
605
534
79
Number of
State Championship Contests*
27
24
24
8
6
3
3
3
7
24
15
15
27
4
14
*State Championship Contests include: State Play-in, State Semi-final, and State Final Contests
that take place at events under direct supervision of the FHSAA. Product is needed at a minimum
for each of these events.
Please Note: The FHSAA is in the process of and may increase the amount of classifications with the
2016-2017 school year for the following team sports: Girls Volleyball (9) and Boys & Girls Basketball
(9).
# # #
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PROPOSAL OUTLINE
Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA).
The proposal specifications set forth in this packet are the FHSAA’s minimum expectations for the
Official All-Sports Ball Partner. This partner should be committed to providing the FHSAA with quality
product for State Series postseason competition, as well as a cash financial contribution. For regularseason or middle school membership contests, the FHSAA cannot mandate schools use or buy a
particular product, according to the FHSAA Bylaws. Please keep in mind, the deadline for submission of
your proposal is: Monday, February 1, 2016. A proposal packet must address the following points and
include answers to the following requirements.
1
TERM AND FORM OF AGREEMENT
The FHSAA seeks to award rights to a ball manufacturer/brand to serve as the Official Ball
Partner of the FHSAA for a minimum of three (3) years, with an option to extend the term by
mutual agreement, for up to an additional three (3) years. The term shall begin with the 20162017 Academic School year.
2
VENDOR INFORMATION
2.1 Corporate Overview. Please describe your company’s history and size, and stability in
terms that most meaningfully communicate its ability to support the FHSAA’s
requirements on a continuing basis. Does your company currently manufacture
sport specific ball product, or do your produce a wide array? Is your company
expanding or growing, or is there expected growth in the future?
2.2 Official Ball Sponsor Option. The FHSAA understands that all qualifying bidders may
not manufacture and produce each of the balls for the prescribed sports. All bid
proposals will be considered equally, regardless of company size and the sport
specific nature of the business. However, proposal submissions should clarify one
(1) of the following:
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(1)
Manufacturer is seeking to become the FHSAA Official All-Sports Ball
Partner and will produce and provide product for all sports.
(2)
Manufacturer is seeking to become the FHSAA Official All-Sports Ball
Partner and will produce product for specific sports, but will provide
product using additional manufacturers for any remaining sports.
(3)
Manufacturer is seeking to become an FHSAA Official Ball Sponsor by
only providing product for specific sport(s).
2.3 Markets Served. Please describe the geographical and industry markets you currently
and have previously served. Are you working with any other High School State
Associations? Is your product used on both an amateur and professional level?
What is your product availability? Are you located in retail stores, catalogs, or
online? Where are your store locations?
2.4 School Contacts, Discounts, and Purchasing Information. Please provide any
necessary key contacts (company sales representatives) that FHSAA schools
would need when choosing to purchase your product for regular season and
practice use. Also, please include any discounts or incentives that may be passed
along to the schools should you intend to have any (i.e., discounts for buying in
bulk, buying at certain times of year, etc.).
2.5 Company History & References. Please provide at least three (3) references of clients
or other partners who are currently using your products that the FHSAA may
contact. It is preferred to have client references that are similar in nature and
function to the FHSAA in terms of scope and overall needs of the product.
2.6 Financial Arrangements. An FHSAA Ball Partner is also considered an FHSAA
Corporate Sponsor. Please include your company’s proposed minimum financial
contribution to be paid to the FHSAA on an annual basis.
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3
PRODUCT INFORMATION (by sport)
3.1 FHSAA State Series & State Championship Events. Please list the amount of ball
product that you intend to supply to the FHSAA for use during the State Series.
Dependent upon the amount of product being supplied by the selected partner(s),
the FHSAA can mandate a specific ball be used throughout certain levels of the
FHSAA State Series and/or an FHSAA State Championship Event.
*Please Note: The FHSAA cannot mandate use of a certain ball/product during a
Regular Season Contest, as per the official FHSAA Bylaws. However, it is typical
for FHSAA member schools to use the official product during regular season play
due to the mandates during the State Series.
3.2 FHSAA Branding/Art. Do you have the ability to include FHSAA logos or color
schemes on particular product that is supplied for State Championship contests?
3.3 Product Quality & Price. Please provide detailed descriptions of your Championship
quality ball product(s), for each sport. Please list all necessary pricing information
in regards to current market prices (more accurately, what schools would be
paying for their own product) along with any additional advantages as you see fit.
If having the ability to offer multiple ball options by sport, please specify the
differences in each product.
3.4 Partnership Assurance. The FHSAA understands that the success of any partnership
hinges on communication. With the ever-changing nature of sports, the FHSAA
expects that its Official Ball Partner(s) will provide the Association with
representative(s) or individual company contacts that can adapt to and stay
updated on the potential rule changes and improvements of product specifications
and overall ball quality throughout the life of the partnership.
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4
SAMPLE PRODUCT
4.1 FHSAA Office Staff. Manufacturers wishing to provide product samples to the FHSAA
Staff may do so as deemed necessary. Samples can be sent to:
Florida High School Athletic Association
Attn: JA Colasanti
Robert W. Hughes FHSAA Building
1801 NW 80th Blvd
Gainesville, FL 32606-9176
4.2 FHSAA Athletic Directors Advisory Committee (ADAC). User experience and
feedback is a high priority for the FHSAA. Although not mandatory to submit a
proposal, the FHSAA is going to seek feedback from current member school
administrators who sit on the AD’s advisory committee. Please see Appendix A
of this document for ADAC member contact information. Please alert the FHSAA
when submitting your proposal if you’ve provided product samples to ADAC
members to ensure we obtain the necessary feedback from them.
SELECTION OF ALL-SPORT BALL PARTNER
The FHSAA reserves the right to select, reject, and/or negotiate the terms of an agreement with any and
all chosen manufacturers/brands. Please keep in mind this proposal is due back to the FHSAA no later
than: 5 p.m. E.S.T., Monday, February 1, 2016.
###
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Appendix A
FHSAA Athletic Directors Advisory Committee Members
Matt Morris
[email protected]
The Bolles School
7400 San Jose Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32217
Phone: (904) 256-5076
Kathy Sawyer
[email protected]
Leesburg High School
1401 Yellow Jacket Way
Leesburg, FL 34748
Phone: (352) 787-5047 ext. 7053
Bob Levija
[email protected]
Springstead High School
3300 Mariner Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34606
Phone: (352) 797-7010 ext. 230
John Gerdes
[email protected]
Clearwater Central Catholic High School
2750 Haines Bayshore Blvd.
Clearwater, FL 33760
Phone: (727) 531-1449 ext. 334
Dung Nguyen
[email protected]
Miami Senior High School
2450 SW First St.
Miami, FL 33135
Phone: (305) 649-9800 ext. 2273
Eric Lape
[email protected]
Braddock High School
3601 SW 147th Ave.
Miami, FL 33185
Phone: (305) 225-9729
Aubrey Daniels
[email protected]
Dunbar High School
2635 Cortez Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33901
Phone: (239) 334-2167
Karen Stearns
[email protected]
American Heritage School
12200 West Broward Blvd.
Plantation, FL 33325
Phone: (954) 472-0022 ext. 3051
Maurice Adams
[email protected]
Florida High School
3000 School House Road
Tallahassee, FL 32311
Phone: (850) 245-3881
Larry Bishop
[email protected]
Citrus High School
600 West Highland Blvd.
Inverness, FL 34452
Phone: (352) 726-2241 ext. 4513
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