Queen Mary Amphitheater Operator

The City of Long Beach is soliciting proposals to operate and manage a proposed temporary amphitheater complex with approximately 10,000 seats located near the Queen Mary under RFP ED-24-477, with proposals due September 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM PST. A local-vendor preference of 5% credit applies to Long Beach-based businesses maintaining a principal place of business with a current business license and seller's permit.

The operator will be responsible for event booking, sales and marketing, event production including sound and lighting, staffing and logistics management, premium seating sales, food and beverage services with revenue sharing, box office operations, and financial administration. The operator will have direct input into the amphitheater's final design and must collaborate with City staff on programming at other City-owned venues including the convention center, arena, parks, and marinas. The City will construct the facility on City-owned land, provide required staffing, coordinate off-site parking and transportation, and maintain oversight through monthly reporting and audits. A contractor's license is not required.

Proposers must demonstrate minimum qualifications including at least three references for facilities previously managed and provide financial statements demonstrating stability. Evaluation criteria weight organizational capacity and experience at 25 percent, method of approach at 30 percent, communications and reporting at 25 percent, proposed fee structure at 10 percent, and interview performance at 10 percent.

The contract term is five years with the option to renew for up to five additional one-year periods, not to exceed 10 years total. The awardee must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage including commercial general liability of $10 million, workers' compensation, automobile liability of $2 million, and commercial crime insurance of $1 million. Compliance with the City of Long Beach Equal Benefits Ordinance is mandatory for contracts valued at $100,000 or more.

An optional pre-proposal meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2024. Written questions are due August 27, 2024. Interviews are anticipated for November 1–15, 2024, with contract execution targeted for December 2024 through January 2025. Proposals must acknowledge receipt of Addendum 1; proposers who fail to submit it may be disqualified.