2026 Drone Show

The City of Owensboro, Kentucky, in Daviess County, is soliciting proposals for a custom drone light show to be performed over the Ohio River on Friday, July 3, 2026. The vendor must provide and execute a choreographed display utilizing a minimum of 300 drones for approximately 15 minutes, synchronized to an agreed-upon music track. Deliverables include the creation of a minimum of six custom formations specifically designed for the event, such as the event logo, sponsor logos, geometric designs, and themed elements, in addition to stock patriotic images. The vendor is responsible for all equipment, technical systems, staffing, FAA permitting, and obtaining necessary waivers for drone operations over water, while the City will provide a designated landing zone with adequate space and safety precautions, security personnel, and U.S. Coast Guard permits. Proposals will be evaluated on a 100-point scale consisting of Project Approach (up to 40 points), Experience and References (up to 30 points), and Price (up to 30 points), and must include a signed cover letter, detailed project approach with design concepts and control system information, timeline, relevant project experience with agency references, and comprehensive pricing breakdown. All proposals must be submitted through the City's online Bonfire Portal by Friday, December 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST, with setup required to be completed by July 3, 2026, and the contract period extending one year from the date of award.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting organization types are specified in the solicitation documents. The vendor must obtain a business license from the City of Owensboro within 10 business days of award, with a $75 application fee, and must certify compliance with Kentucky Revised Statutes regarding corporate taxes (KRS 136), sales and use taxes (KRS 139), income taxes (KRS 141), wage and hour laws (KRS 337), occupational safety (KRS 338), unemployment insurance (KRS 341), and workers' compensation (KRS 342). The vendor must maintain worker's compensation insurance at statutory limits, commercial general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, and commercial automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, with the City named as additional insured. No specific funding source or budget amount is identified in the RFP, and pricing must be quoted exclusive of taxes with a firm price guarantee for a minimum of 90 days after proposal opening. Vendors must also submit a Subcontractors Registry Page identifying all subcontractors performing work on the project and an Exceptions to Bid Specifications form documenting any deviations from the bid specifications, along with mandatory compliance statements pursuant to Kentucky Revised Statutes KRS 45A.395 and KRS 45A.343.