Fireworks Displays

The City of St. Petersburg is requesting proposals from qualified fireworks vendors to design, furnish, and execute aerial fireworks displays for municipal celebrations under an RFP with proposals due December 1, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. EST, and a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting via Microsoft Teams on November 2, 2026.

Vendors must meet strict qualifications: minimum five years of experience providing large-scale aerial fireworks displays, at least three pyrotechnicians with five years of fireworks experience each, current ATF 54 licensing, U.S. DOT hazardous materials registration, ability to obtain and maintain pyrotechnic permits, and immediate access to a minimum 26-foot barge. Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) participation is encouraged but voluntary with no mandatory threshold.

The scope comprises a three-year initial term with two optional one-year renewals covering a minimum 20-minute Fourth of July display (3,200 shells, three to six inches, launching 8:30 p.m.–10:00 p.m.) and New Year's Eve displays (two ten-minute displays with 1,600 shells each, launching 8:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m., with the City retaining the option to hold one display). Events launch from Vinoy Park or a barge location off Spa Beach. All services are all-inclusive and firm-fixed, covering labor, materials, equipment, transportation, permits, insurance, and cleanup. Vendors must utilize professional digital firing systems and provide detailed safety plans, equipment specifications, and post-event reporting within ten calendar days.

Evaluation weights qualifications and experience at 40 percent, project approach at 35 percent, cost analysis at 15 percent, and business enterprise outreach at 10 percent. Vendors must provide a public construction bond equal to the full contract amount, maintain $1,000,000 commercial general liability and $1,000,000 commercial auto liability insurance (with no fireworks exclusions), comply with Florida E-Verify requirements, and register with the Florida Division of Corporations. Questions are due November 6, 2026.