Entertainment Buyer - SD State Fair

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, State Fair Division, is issuing a Request for Proposal to procure an experienced Entertainment Buyer to provide comprehensive grandstand entertainment services during the annual South Dakota State Fair for a five-year contract period from May 1, 2026, through September 30, 2031. The scope of work encompasses artist acquisition, contract negotiations with entertainers, event management, advancing of dates with coordination of merchandise, catering, security and production requirements, and on-site artist and event management during performances. The State Fair will be held during varying dates annually: September 1-6, 2027; August 30-September 4, 2028; August 29-September 3, 2029; August 28-September 2, 2030; and August 27-September 1, 2031. Proposals must be submitted by 5:00 PM Central Time on May 4, 2026, to Bella Philips at the State Fair office in Huron, South Dakota. Offerors must submit inquiries by April 13, 2026, with State responses provided by April 20, 2026. Proposals must include three references of similar previous contracts, detailed qualifications and past performance information, and a separate cost proposal with pricing options including base price per show, percentage of entertainer costs, or event-based cost structures that incorporate all associated expenses. The anticipated award decision and contract negotiation is scheduled for May 18, 2026.

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting the types of organizations that may respond. Selected contractors must maintain commercial general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, professional liability insurance of $1,000,000, business automobile liability insurance of $1,000,000 per accident, and workers' compensation insurance as required by law, with the State named as additional insured. The agreement is subject to standard State of South Dakota terms including indemnification, compliance certifications regarding foreign ownership, Israel boycott restrictions, debarment status, and state legislator interest prohibitions. The State reserves the right to negotiate contract terms with any qualified offeror and may award to successive offerors if negotiations fail. Either party may terminate the contract with ninety days' written notice, or the State may terminate immediately for breach of contract terms. No specific budget range or award value is provided in the procurement documentation.