Pullen Park Sledding Hill

The City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department is seeking a vendor to provide a winter sledding/tubing experience at Pullen Park through a Request for Proposals (RFP #274-2025-HEX02). The procurement requires a vendor to create and operate a sledding hill with a minimum of three chutes, including one less steep chute for younger guests, and provide snow-making services from December 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026. Key deliverables include daily snow-making and maintenance, provision and maintenance of sleds/tubes/mats, and potential staffing during the park's 17-night Holiday Express event in December. The RFP also allows for an optional adjacent snow play area for additional winter activities. Evaluation criteria will be based on corporate background and experience (20 points), project approach (40 points), and proposed cost (40 points). The proposal submission deadline is March 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM EST, with an optional pre-proposal conference scheduled for February 10, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Pullen Park Amusements. The initial contract term is one year, with options to renew for up to two additional one-year terms.

The RFP encourages participation from Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) and requires vendors to maintain specific insurance coverages, including commercial general liability, automobile liability, and workers' compensation insurance. Vendors must submit one signed original proposal, one electronic version, and three paper copies. Pricing must be structured based on monthly usage of the sledding hill and daily usage of any snow play area. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the services required suggests a significant operational investment. The procurement is open to qualified vendors who can demonstrate the technical capability to create and maintain a safe, engaging winter recreation experience that complements Pullen Park's existing attractions. Vendors will need to showcase expertise in snow-making technology, recreational equipment management, and potential event staffing to be competitive in the proposal process.