AGR-ISF-Fireworks

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is seeking a fireworks vendor to provide display services for the Illinois State Fair from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2029. The contract requires nine fireworks displays per year, each lasting a minimum of 20 minutes and starting around 10:00 p.m. during specific fair days including Agriculture Day, Kids Day, Veteran's Day, Senior and Scout Day, Governor's Day, First Responders and Healthcare Heroes Day, Park District/Conservation Day, and Family Day. Displays must be electronically fired within a 350-foot firing site at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, strictly adhering to National Fire Protection Association Code 1123. The vendor must provide comprehensive services including material delivery, equipment setup and teardown, and certified pyrotechnicians. Submission of bids must be completed electronically through Bid Buy by May 15, 2025, with all responses required to follow the platform's standard submission procedures, including pricing in the Items Tab and contract attachment. The solicitation requires detailed technical capabilities and safety compliance documentation.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly mentioned in the documentation. The vendor must carry substantial insurance, including $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate general commercial liability insurance, $1,000,000 auto liability insurance, and workers' compensation insurance. The total estimated contract budget is $80,000 for the entire four-year period, which represents a modest annual allocation for fireworks services. Subcontractors are strictly prohibited in performing the fireworks displays. The contract is subject to state funding availability and can be terminated with 30 days' notice. While the state has historically hosted annual fireworks displays, specific details about the previous vendor were deliberately withheld. The contract allows for potential alternative performance options, though the primary focus remains on traditional fireworks displays at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.