NIGP 96173: Theatrical Services (Including Production, Scenery Design, Stage, etc.)

NIGP 96173 Theatrical Services (Including Production, Scenery Design, Stage, Etc.), an Item code, encompasses event production labor, technical rigging, staging equipment, and instructional theatrical programming that state and local governments procure to support entertainment venues, public events, school programs, and community cultural initiatives. Recent solicitations reveal a mix of temporary stagehand and tech labor contracting, theatrical instruction and residency programs for youth, event production and staging services, and specialized rigging support for convention centers and performing arts facilities. Cities and counties are the primary buyers, alongside school districts and specialized authorities managing public entertainment venues, with repeat activity in Texas (Dallas, Frisco), Florida (Tarpon Springs, Volusia County, DeBary), Tennessee, Utah, Georgia, California, and Arizona over the past four months.

Representative recent opportunities illustrate the scope: the City of Dallas issued an RFP in July 2026 to establish a five-year indefinite-delivery contract for temporary stagehand and tech labor supporting the Office of Arts and Culture, with proposals due August 28, 2026; the County of Orange Probation Department issued an RFP in February 2026 for Theatre Arts/Drama/Acting Services delivered to 10–20 incarcerated youth per cohort over 12–15 weeks, concluding in a 30–45 minute theatrical performance, with a three-year firm fixed-fee term and optional two-year renewal, and responses due March 23, 2026; the City of Tarpon Springs posted a Notice of Intent in September 2026 to single-source $16,000 in temporary stagehand labor to UTP Productions, Inc., representing IATSE Local 321, with challenge deadline October 16, 2026; the County of Volusia issued an ITB in March 2026 for exclusive rigging services at its Ocean Center convention center and arena (approximately 110 events annually), requiring ETCP, USITT, or NCCCO-certified personnel, with bids due April 8, 2026; and LEAD Public Schools in Tennessee requested proposals in June 2026 for a jazz residency program at two middle schools, serving up to 17 students per site with instruments, curriculum, and public performance requirements, with a one-year firm fixed-price term and two optional renewals, responses due July 16, 2026. County of Orange Probation and Granite School District (theatrical licensing for musicals and plays, notice of intent issued May 2026) represent repeat buyers. Set-asides include County of Orange Local Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise preferences (5–8 percent scoring advantage). Insurance requirements are standard across most solicitations, typically $1 million commercial general liability per occurrence minimum.