National Veteran Golden Ages Games Pickleball Tournament

The Department of Veterans Affairs Strategic Acquisition Center Frederick is seeking a contractor to provide comprehensive tournament event management services for the 2025 National Veterans Golden Age Games Pickleball competition in Memphis, Tennessee. The solicitation requires a contractor to manage a pickleball tournament for up to 400 veterans, organizing competition across eight age groups (55-90+) in male doubles, female doubles, and mixed doubles formats. The tournament will follow a double elimination play structure, with matches played best two out of three games to 11 points. The VA will evaluate offers based on best value, with quotes due by January 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM EST, and questions from potential bidders required by January 6, 2025. Contractors must provide a Tournament Director and Assistant, implement bracketing software, manage partner pairings, conduct a virtual participant presentation, and ensure overall event safety and competition management.

The solicitation is not set aside for any specific small business designation, though it falls under NAICS code 711320 with a size standard of $22 million. The period of performance spans from February 10 to June 10, 2025, with the actual tournament taking place June 2-5, 2025, in Memphis, Tennessee. The VA will provide the venue, equipment, volunteers, medical support, and administrative supplies, while the contractor is responsible for detailed event execution. Travel expenses for four facilitators are estimated at $14,036, and the contract will be awarded as a firm-fixed-price agreement. Key requirements include maintaining insurance coverage of at least $500,000 in general liability, workers' compensation, and disability insurance, with the contractor responsible for managing tournament logistics, equipment, and competition results across multiple skill and age divisions.