By STEVEN SPEARS
News Editor
(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — Starting this summer, UCM students will be able to experience “The joy of Pepsi.”
The university is ditching its contract for beverage pouring rights with Coca-Cola after it expires June 30. The UCM Board of Governors unanimously voted to award a 10- year contract to PepsiCo during a meeting Feb. 12, 2016. The UCM Procurement and Materials Management Office sent out a request for bid proposals to Coca-Cola and PepsiCo on May 19, 2015.
The contract will cover all carbonated and non-carbonated, non-alcoholic, natural or artificially flavored drinks and sports drinks sold on campus, according to documents presented at the board of governors meeting. Exceptions to the contract will include Taco Bell, Spin! Pizza and Starbucks. University dining halls will also continue to serve both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo products.
The offer submitted by PepsiCo will result in $174,000 of annual guaranteed revenue, according to documents presented at the board of governors meeting. This figure includes income resulting from sponsorships, commissions, marketing support, Gatorade sidelines support, the Campus Ambassador Program, scholarships and internships, and flex funds.
University Relations said the contract is still in negotiations, but they hope to have it finalized by the end of this month.
The university will also receive an additional $105,000 from PepsiCo to pay for scoreboard and video displays in the first year of the contract.
The contract will include funds to buy and install athletic department scoreboards and video displays. The funding will be provided in the form of a donation to the UCM Foundation, according to the request for proposal.
The contract requires PepsiCo to buy two portable scoreboards that will be located at the South Recreation Athletic Fields and cost approximately $3,500 to $4,000 each; one scoreboard for the women’s soccer team that will cost roughly $20,000 including installation; and a GP4 outdoor LED video display and installation.
The proposal request included a stipulation that the bidding companies make a minimum annual contribution of $125,000 to the UCM Foundation for the duration of the contract term. The contribution will be used to fund university programs and activities at the discretion of the university president. The donation amount offered by PepsiCo has not been released.