Theatrical Stage Rigging, Lighting & Sound Systems - Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Services - Bid #27-0287

The School Board of Sarasota County, Florida is requesting bids for theatrical stage rigging, lighting, and sound systems installation, maintenance, supply, and repair services under ITB Bid #27-0287, with bids due August 11, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. EST. Written questions are due July 28, 2026, with an addendum issued on or about July 29, 2026.

The scope encompasses installation, maintenance, supply, and repair services for stage equipment and curtains, rigging equipment, smoke hatches, and stationary or portable lighting and sound equipment in district auditoriums, cafeterias, and stadiums. The contractor must provide all labor, materials, tools, equipment (including scaffolding and lifts), supplies, vehicles, travel, and fuel in accordance with applicable codes and regulations. Bidders must submit firm hourly labor rates for standard working hours (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) and non-standard hours (before 7:00 a.m., after 5:00 p.m., and weekends), plus percentage discounts off MSRP for audio systems, visual systems, and lighting systems. Materials and rental equipment are billed at net cost plus a maximum 15% markup. Travel is limited to one and one-half hours of labor from the contractor's shop to a School Board site; return travel is not compensated.

Contractors must hold a minimum of three years of verifiable experience in theatrical stage rigging, lighting, and sound systems services and provide three commercial references from prior work within the last 36 months. Comprehensive insurance is required, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability at $1 million per occurrence, and automobile liability, with the School Board named as additional insured. Contractors must comply with Jessica Lunsford Act background checks and maintain current Florida licensing. Emergency service calls must be answered within two hours; quotation responses are due within 48 hours. Bidders must disclose SBE or MBE certifications under Florida Statutes 288.703 or identify SBE/MBE subcontractors with dollar values. All nongovernmental entities must submit affidavits certifying no use of coercion for labor and no ownership or control by designated foreign countries of concern (China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria).

The contract term is one year with options to renew for two additional one-year periods by mutual agreement. A conflict of interest provision prohibits the contractor awarded concurrent inspection Bid #26-0288 from bidding here. Recommended awards will be posted on or about September 8, 2026, with School Board action on September 15, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. EST.