Downtown Holiday Decor and Lighting Installation Services

The City of Wilson, North Carolina is requesting proposals for downtown holiday decor and lighting installation, maintenance, repair, and removal services under RFP #2627-03, with sealed proposals due August 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the City of Wilson Purchasing Manager's office (1800 Herring Avenue, Wilson, North Carolina 27893); electronic submissions are not accepted.

The scope encompasses installation of C7 lights on approximately 168 downtown trees (Bosque Elm, Savannah Holly, and Fosteri Holly species), installation of up to 80 pole-mounted decorations, and subsequent maintenance, repair, bulb replacement, and removal services. Installation must be completed between October 26 and November 5, 2026. Pole decor removal is scheduled for January 4–8, 2027, and all C7 lighting and associated equipment removal for March 1–5, 2027. The contractor must own and operate at least two properly functioning bucket trucks with a minimum 35-foot safe height capacity; all labor and equipment costs are included in submitted rates unless the City grants prior written approval for exceptions.

Bidders must price lump-sum installation fees for tree lighting and pole decor, per-unit labor costs for bulb replacement and stringer replacement, per-unit adjustment labor, hourly repair rates for base labor and additional crew members, and lump-sum removal fees on Attachment A. Payment terms are Net 30 days following invoice receipt or service acceptance, whichever is later. The contractor must maintain general liability and workers' compensation insurance per state requirements, designate the City of Wilson as an additional insured, and comply with all federal, state, and local safety standards. The contract term runs from the effective date through completion of removal and material return, with either party able to terminate with 30 days' written notice for cause.