CSF-26-1102-Sound System Rental - Livestock Events and Exhibits

The California Exposition & State Fair is soliciting bids on sound system rental and operation for livestock events and exhibits across the 2027–2029 State Fairs, with bids due October 14, 2026. SB/DVBE companies are encouraged to bid; the IFB includes a Small Business Preference program.

The scope covers five distinct sound systems across multiple barns and venues at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento: System #1 (Barn L1, Beef and Dairy Cattle Judging Arena) with approximately 2,500 watts RMS distributed across a minimum of 12 flown cabinets; System #2 (Barn L2, Sheep and Goat Judging Arena) with a minimum of 6 flown cabinets; System #3 (Barn L3, Hog Judging Arena) with 2–4 flown cabinets; and Systems #4 and #5 (California's Kitchen and Taste of California Classroom, Building B) with foreground speakers. The contractor must provide all labor, equipment, materials, wireless microphones, mixers, equalization, playback devices, and complete technical support. Equipment load-in begins September 9, 2027, with all systems operational by September 16; load-out must complete by October 5. The Fair operates Monday–Thursday 4:00 PM–10:00 PM and Friday–Sunday 10:00 AM–11:00 PM.

Minimum qualifications include three years of experience providing sound equipment and services to similar venues and three references from work performed within the last five years. The contractor must maintain general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence, workers' compensation, property, and automobile liability insurance of at least $1,000,000. A qualified technician must be on-site for the first seven days of the Fair, and any equipment malfunction must be resolved within 30 minutes of notification. No subcontracting is permitted. Award will be made to the lowest responsive responsible bidder. Questions are due October 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM; answers will be provided October 8. Proposed award is scheduled for the week of October 19, 2026. The contract term runs September 1, 2027, through October 31, 2029.