Parade Floats and Related Services

Houston City College (HCC) has issued a Request for Quotes (RFQuote No. 26-04) for Parade Floats and Related Services through its Procurement Operations Department, targeting comprehensive float production and event support for five annual cultural parades in the Houston area. The solicitation seeks qualified contractors to provide full-service parade float design, construction, transportation, and event-day support for specific parades including Martin Luther King Parade, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade, Cinco De Mayo Parade, Juneteenth Parade, and Fiesta Patrias Parade. Vendors must demonstrate a minimum of five consecutive years of experience in parade float services and meet stringent technical requirements, including constructing two-level float designs with specific color schemes, adhering to safety standards, and providing sound system capabilities. The quote is due on November 06, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. local time via the HCC Bid Portal, with a proposed one-year contract term and potential three-month extension option. Contractors will be evaluated based on their ability to provide comprehensive services, technical expertise, and compliance with detailed float specifications.

The solicitation strongly emphasizes the Small Business Development Program (SBDP), actively encouraging participation from local certified small businesses, with particular focus on minority and women-owned enterprises. Vendors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1,000,000 in commercial general liability, automobile liability, and worker's compensation. The procurement includes specific compliance requirements, mandating that bidders complete a Conflict of Interest Questionnaire and certify adherence to state government hardening requirements related to national defense and restrictions on doing business with entities listed on specific U.S. Department of Commerce foreign adversaries lists. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the pricing structure is based on a per-parade unit model, with vendors required to quote an annual cost for each parade event and no additional service call or trip fees permitted. The contract's design promotes competitive bidding while maintaining strict qualitative and operational standards for parade float services.