Fireworks Display - Independence Day

The Town of Stratford, Connecticut, located in Fairfield County, is issuing an Invitation to Bid (ITB) for a licensed professional pyrotechnics contractor to design and execute an annual Independence Day fireworks display at Short Beach, 1 Dorne Drive, Stratford. The display must be 100% electronically fired, last between 25 and 30 minutes, and include a minimum of 2,239 shots comprising six 49-shot cakes, six 100-shot cakes, 180 shells of 2.5-inch diameter, 550 shells of 3-inch diameter, 300 shells of 4-inch diameter, 180 shells of 5-inch diameter, and 135 shells of 6-inch diameter. The scheduled event date is July 2, 2026, with a rain date of July 6, 2026. Bidders must submit sealed lump sum proposals that include all labor, materials, tools, equipment, technical services, taxes, and state/federal permits. Sealed bids must be received by 10:00 AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at the Town's Purchasing Department, 2725 Main Street, Room 104, Stratford, Connecticut 06615; electronic bid submissions are not permitted. Inquiries and requests for information must be submitted via email to pryan@townofstratford.com by 12:00 PM on Friday, January 16, 2026, with responses posted as addenda by Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Award will be determined based on the most advantageous solution to the Town, considering company reputation, safety record, schedule, and quality of performance. Qualified bidders must demonstrate a Certificate of Competency to Operate a Fireworks Display or Special Effects, provide three years of municipal references for similar contracts, possess all required Connecticut permits and licenses, maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including Workers' Compensation, Automobile Liability ($500,000/$1,000,000), Comprehensive General Liability ($5,000,000), Products/Completed Operations ($1,000,000), and Umbrella coverage ($10,000,000), and maintain an Experience Modification Rating (EMR) not exceeding 1.0.

No set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligible respondents to specific organization types are identified in the solicitation documents. The Town of Stratford is exempt from federal tax and Connecticut state sales tax under Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 219-Section 12-412 Subsection A. No incumbent vendor or current contractor information is provided in the available documentation. The contractor must secure all necessary state and federal fireworks display permits and licenses as part of contract performance. Payment terms are Net 30 Days, contingent upon approval by all relevant Town boards. The contract may be extended beyond 2026 under the same terms and conditions, including an agreed-upon cost-of-living allowance (COLA) increase, at the sole discretion of both parties. Pricing must remain firm for 90 days following bid opening. The estimated total contract value is not specified in the solicitation documents.