About this opportunity
AI summaryThe Town of South Kingstown seeks sealed bids for Fourth of July fireworks displays for 2027, with a potential 2028 renewal. The selected vendor must provide all insurance, personnel, equipment, and permits to deliver continuous, computerized displays lasting at least 25 minutes with a minimum of 1,300 aerial shells. Bidders must present evidence of normally purveying and supporting the required materials, hold appropriate licenses, and provide proof of Rhode Island-authorized insurance, including $5,000,000 in general liability. Submissions must be delivered to Julie A. Mason, Procurement Administrator, by 11:00 AM on November 23, 2026, while all questions must be submitted via the Town Bidding Website by November 16, 2026. The town will award the contract to the lowest evaluated or responsive bidder. Evaluation criteria include competence, qualifications, past performance, demonstrated experience, and prior work quality for the town.
Buyer and opportunity details
- Client
- The Town of South Kingstown
- Solicitation No.
- SK0156RD
Scope of work
- Professional continuous fireworks display lasting at least 25 minutes using computerized control
- Provision of a minimum of 1,300 aerial shells per display with specified size distributions
- Display execution on July 4, 2027 (rain date July 5, 2027)
- Display execution for 2028 renewal on July 4, 2028 (rain date July 5, 2028)
- Delivery of materials on the day of the show complying with DOT requirements
- On-site shell inventory verification by a licensed Pyrotechnician by 2:00 P.M. on display dates
- Post-display site inspection with searchlights for live dud material immediately after display
- Final site inspection and cleanup of materials and storage containers by 9:00 A.M. next morning
How proposals are evaluated
| Criterion | Weight / scoring |
|---|---|
| Competence to perform the work reflected by technical training, education, general experience, and staff qualifications | Not specified |
| Past performance with respect to cost control, quality of work, and ability to meet deadlines | Not specified |
| Demonstrated experience in the type of work required | Not specified |
| Quality of work previously performed for the Town of South Kingstown, if any | Not specified |
| Bid Price | Not specified |
| Meets or exceeds Insurance Requirements | Not specified |
| References | Not specified |
Minimum qualifications
- Normally engaged in the purveying and support of the type of material bid upon
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience
- Minimum of five (5) completed similar jobs
- Operators holding Rhode Island Restricted or Full Blaster Licenses
- Securing of all required State and local permits
Documents to include with your response
- Bid Proposal Form
- Bid Certification Form
- Proof of insurance and proof that insurance company is licensed to issue insurance in Rhode Island
- Statement detailing number of insurance claims in past three years, towns, and descriptions
- Written statement granting permission to verify claim information with insurance agent
- Proof of operators holding RI Restricted or Full Blaster Licenses, names, ages, and shows fired in past 3 years
- List of shells to be used including names, sizes, and EX numbers
- Description of show sequence, firing rate, duration, and staffing explanation of how display will be fired
- Glossary of terms used in the show, including colors and shell sequences
- Completed Shell Quantity Schedule for each year and vendor incorporation/partnership information
Key dates
- Proposals due
- not later than 11:00 A.M. on November 23, 2026
- Anticipated Town Council award date
- December 14, 2026
- 2027 insurance certificate deadline
- June 10, 2027
- 2027 Display date
- Sunday, July 4, 2027 approximately 9:00 P.M.
- 2027 Rain date
- Monday, July 5, 2027
- 2028 insurance certificate deadline
- June 9, 2028
- 2028 Display date (renewal)
- Tuesday, July 4, 2028 approximately 9:00 P.M.
- 2028 Rain date
- Wednesday, July 5, 2028
How to submit
- Method
- Sealed bids
- Instructions
- Submit sealed proposals to the Finance Office, addressed to Julie A. Mason, Procurement Administrator, 180 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Envelopes must be clearly marked with the name of the item bid and time and date of the opening.
Contract details
- Term
- 2027 display with an automatic 2028 renewal option if there are no issues with the vendor's services
- Estimated value
- Maximum bid: $29,000 per annual display
- Place of performance
- Old Mountain Field in South Kingstown, Rhode Island
- Insurance and bonding
- Workers' compensation meeting statutory obligations; General Liability of $5,000,000 per occurrence naming the Town as additional insured (maintained for 3 years after operation); Auto Liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence covering owned, hired, or non-owned vehicles (maintained for 3 years after operation). Policies must be authorized in RI, define coverage as fireworks display, and require 90 days notice of cancellation.