Drone Show Display

The City of Waynesboro, Virginia Parks and Recreation Department is seeking proposals for a comprehensive drone show display to be held on July 12, 2025, at South River Preserve Lot. The procurement requires a contractor to design, supply, and execute a drone show featuring a minimum of 100 drones performing at least 5 custom animations synchronized with choreographed music for a duration of no less than 15 minutes, commencing at approximately 9:30 PM. Proposals are due by March 7, 2025, at 2:00 PM local time, with an anticipated award date of March 17, 2025. The contract encompasses a single display with potential renewal options for up to four additional annual displays on the second Saturday of July through 2029. Evaluation criteria will be weighted as follows: personnel qualifications (20 points), project references (20 points), pricing (30 points), and proposed drone display outline (30 points). The contractor must comply with all FAA regulations, obtain necessary licenses and permits, and conduct interference testing of the staging area 14 days and 24 hours before the event. A rain date of July 13, 2025, is also specified, with contractors required to provide a separate pricing surcharge for this contingency.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The procurement appears open to qualified drone show providers capable of meeting the technical and performance requirements outlined in the Request for Proposals. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the contractor must include comprehensive pricing that covers all associated costs, including planning, programming, travel, insurance, production, cleanup, permits, and other expenses. Payment terms are established as net 30 days following invoice submission. Although a specific budget range is not detailed, the complexity of the requirements—including a minimum of 100 drones, custom animations, musical synchronization, and compliance with regulatory standards—suggests a sophisticated and potentially significant financial investment. Interested vendors will need to demonstrate substantial technical capability, prior experience with large-scale drone performances, and the ability to meet stringent operational and safety requirements.