Christmas Lights on Front Street Request for Bid

The City of Georgetown, South Carolina, is soliciting bids for a comprehensive Christmas light installation project targeting the downtown district, specifically along Front Street and in several local parks. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to handle the complete lifecycle of commercial-grade mini Christmas light installations, including procurement, installation, maintenance, removal, and storage of light strands across multiple municipal locations. The project encompasses decorating 87 oak trees, 4 cypress trees, multiple trees and shrubs in various parks, 142 light poles, and one sign at Harbor Walk. Bidders must participate in a mandatory site visit scheduled for August 25, 2025, at 10:30 AM, with electronic bid submissions due by September 10, 2025, at 2:00 PM EST. The City will provide lighted garland and bows, and the successful contractor must coordinate with the Electric Department for collection and installation. Evaluation criteria will likely include the contractor's ability, experience, and compliance with local, state, and federal requirements. The project timeline includes installation from November 3-26, 2025, and removal between January 2-12, 2026, with the City anticipating issuing a Notice of Award in October 2025.

The solicitation appears to have a local vendor preference component, as evidenced by the Mandatory Local Vendor Submittal Form, which requires vendors to declare their residency status within Georgetown. Contractors must possess a valid S.C. General Contractor's License and provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in Commercial General Liability, $1,000,000 in Automobile Liability, and Statutory Workers' Compensation Limits. While no specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises are explicitly mentioned, the local vendor form suggests a potential preference for local businesses. The bid requires a total price that encompasses all project costs, including labor, materials, equipment, overhead, profit, insurance, taxes, business license, and construction permit fees. Though a specific budget range is not disclosed, the detailed specifications and extensive lighting requirements suggest a substantial project scope. The City reserves the right to reject any bid and will award the contract to the most responsive and responsible bidder based on comprehensive evaluation criteria.