Drone light show

The Town of Manchester, located in Hartford County, Connecticut, is seeking proposals for a comprehensive Drone Light Show as part of its 2023 Bicentennial Celebration. The Request for Proposal (RFP) #22/23-7 requires a vendor to provide a fully orchestrated drone performance on September 22, 2023 (with a rain date of September 23, 2023) at Northwest Park, beginning at 8:30 p.m. Specific requirements include a 12-15 minute show utilizing a minimum of 100 drones, featuring custom formations, animations, and synchronizations that reflect the community's history and geographic characteristics. Vendors must submit detailed proposals demonstrating their capability to handle FAA permitting, ground setup, equipment, labor, and materials, along with comprehensive references from previous drone light show performances. The proposal submissions were due electronically by September 26, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., with a maximum budget of $35,000. Evaluation criteria include the vendor's technical capabilities, show design creativity, compliance with regulatory requirements, and overall feasibility of executing the proposed drone light show.

The procurement opportunity includes a mandatory Living Wage Certification requirement, with specific exemptions for certain types of organizations. Potential bidders must certify their status as a "Covered Employer" under the Manchester Living Wage Ordinance, with exemptions available for nonprofit organizations, employers with fewer than 25 eligible employees, or contracts valued under $25,000. The Town of Manchester emphasizes equal opportunity employment and requires vendors to comply with federal and local regulations. Contractors must maintain substantial insurance coverage, including commercial general liability insurance with varying minimum coverage amounts, workers' compensation insurance, automobile liability insurance, and excess coverage of at least $5,000,000. While no incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned, the contract represents a unique opportunity for drone light show providers to participate in a municipal bicentennial celebration. The total contract value is set at $35,000, which covers all aspects of the drone light show production, including technical equipment, programming, performance, and associated logistical expenses.