Gipson Play Plaza and Moore Square Holiday Lighting

The City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department is requesting proposals to design, furnish, install, maintain, and remove coordinated holiday lighting displays at Gipson Play Plaza (Dix Park) and Moore Square, with proposals due September 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST and a written-questions deadline of August 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM.

At Gipson Play Plaza, the vendor must create an engaging holiday lighting experience focused on the Woodland Garden and Fountain Plaza with extensions along four connecting pathways, including power distribution and cord coverage for safety. At Moore Square, the vendor must establish a foundational December lighting display highlighting existing trees, the cafe building, and a playground feature tree, with optional enhancements for the three-day Winterfaire event (December 11–13, 2026) such as illuminated archways, photo opportunities, and additional decorative elements.

Evaluation occurs in two stages. Stage 1 scores proposals on proposed design and thematic approach (30 points), corporate background and previous experience (20 points), past performance on similar projects (20 points), project understanding (15 points), and proposed cost (15 points). Up to five additional points are available from Stage 2 interviews or demonstrations if required. An evaluation meeting is scheduled for September 18, 2026, with interviews tentatively planned for the week of September 21, 2026, and selection announcement expected September 29, 2026.

Proposers must submit one signed original, one electronic PDF version on USB, and four copies of the proposal, including financial statements demonstrating viability, corporate background with at least three references from similar projects completed within the past ten years, team credentials and project organization chart, and itemized cost breakdowns. Pricing is not to exceed a total amount specified by the selected vendor in their proposal cost form. The contract term will be defined at award. This is a new service opportunity with no identified incumbent. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, cancel the RFP, negotiate with individual proposers, or make no selection if proposals fall outside fiscal constraints or are not in the City's best interest. All proposals become City property and are subject to North Carolina public records law.