City of Iowa City - 4th of July Firework Display - RFP27-100 (2026)
City of IowaCity · Iowa, IA- Due
- Oct 30, 2026
- 13 days left
- Posted
- Oct 1, 2026
- Contract term
- 5 years
- Primary contact
- Theresa Vanatter
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THE 30-SECOND BRIEF
The City of Iowa City is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced fireworks display vendors to plan, furnish, and execute a professional 30-minute Fourth of July fireworks display at Hubbard Park for downtown Iowa City, Iowa. The multi-year contract covers event dates from 2027 through 2031 with a $35,000 budget per show, utilizing an electronic computerized firing system and aerial shells not exceeding 4 inches in diameter. Proposals must be submitted online via Ion Wave by October 30, 2026, at 2:30 PM (CT), with questions due by October 22, 2026, at noon (CT). Required qualifications include a Federal Explosives License/Permit, a minimum of two licensed operators, and $10,000,000 in fireworks liability insurance.
A detailed show description including tiers within $35, 000, A listing of prices, Size and color of shells to be used within the opening, Flights, Main event, And finales, Itemized price of shells, Name of fireworks, Color description and shape when detonated, Rising effect description, Shell size, Sound, Phase the shell will be detonated in, Detail of equipment fees, And a detail of any discounts.
Length of Display 20, Quality of Product 20, Total number of shells offered 20, Company History 40
SUMMARY
The City of Iowa City is soliciting proposals from qualified and experienced fireworks display vendors to plan, furnish, and execute a professional 30-minute Fourth of July fireworks display at Hubbard Park for downtown Iowa City, Iowa.
The multi-year contract covers event dates from 2027 through 2031 with a $35,000 budget per show, utilizing an electronic computerized firing system and aerial shells not exceeding 4 inches in diameter. Proposals must be submitted online via Ion Wave by October 30, 2026, at 2:30 PM (CT), with questions due by October 22, 2026, at noon (CT). Required qualifications include a Federal Explosives License/Permit, a minimum of two licensed operators, and $10,000,000 in fireworks liability insurance.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
4- Length of Display 20
- Quality of Product 20
- Total number of shells offered 20
- Company History 40
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
A detailed show description including tiers within $35, 000, A listing of prices, Size and color of shells to be used within the opening, Flights, Main event, And finales, Itemized price of shells, Name of fireworks, Color description and shape when detonated, Rising effect description, Shell size, Sound, Phase the shell will be detonated in, Detail of equipment fees, And a detail of any discounts.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
6- Appendix A - General Requirements and Instructions to Vendors
- Appendix B - General Terms and Conditions
- Appendix C - Wage Theft Affidavit
- Appendix D - Contract Compliance Form
- Federal Explosives Licenses/Permit
- Certificate of Insurance
- Submit to
- https://icgov.ionwave.net/PublicDetail.aspx?bidID=502&SourceType=1
- Scope location
- Iowa City, IA
- Reported agency
- City of Iowa City
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from City of Iowa?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is October 30, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://icgov.ionwave.net/PublicDetail.aspx?bidID=502&SourceType=1. For questions, contact Theresa Vanatter.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including City of Iowa in IA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Theresa Vanatter. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: A detailed show description including tiers within $35, 000, A listing of prices, Size and color of shells to be used within the opening, Flights, Main event, And finales, Itemized price of shells, Name of fireworks, Color description and shape when detonated, Rising effect description, Shell size,. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
Can I search RFPs like this in ChatGPT or Claude?
Yes. Civic IQ has an MCP server that connects ChatGPT, Claude and other AI assistants to live Civic IQ data: open RFPs, pre-RFP signals from public meetings, awarded contracts and agency decision-makers across 100,000+ US public agencies. Add https://beta.mcp.civiciq.com/mcp as a connector (in ChatGPT under Settings > Apps & Connectors, in Claude under Settings > Connectors) and sign in with a free Civic IQ account at civiciq.com/mcp.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Length of Display 20, Quality of Product 20, Total number of shells offered 20, Company History 40" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from City of Iowa?
All active and historical solicitations from City of Iowa are tracked and searchable. As a city agency, City of Iowa regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
What is the contract term for this solicitation?
The anticipated contract term is 5 years. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of October 30, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Appendix A - General Requirements and Instructions to Vendors, Appendix B - General Terms and Conditions, Appendix C - Wage Theft Affidavit, Appendix D - Contract Compliance Form, Federal Explosives L. Review the full document from City of Iowa for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Iowa City, IA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.