County of Hawaii - Island of Hawaii Japanese Hula Festival and Marketplace Planning Project - RFP 27-0071 (2026)
Hawaii CountyCounty · Hilo, HI- Due
- Nov 28, 2026
- 25 days left
- Posted
- Oct 27, 2026
- Duration
- 6 months
- Primary contact
- Frecia Cevallos
- (808) 961-8366
The 30-second brief
The County of Hawaiʻi seeks a qualified consultant to plan and develop partnerships for two complementary cultural tourism initiatives launching in Fall 2027: the inaugural Hawaiʻi Island Japanese Hula Festival and the Island of Hawaiʻi Marketplace. This 6-month planning engagement covers foundational planning, partnership development, vendor recruitment, branding, and pre-event preparation through delivery of a complete event implementation package. Total funding available for FY 2026-2027 is $100,000. Proposals are due by November 27, 2026, with a question submission deadline of November 10, 2026. Submissions must be made electronically via the OpenGov Procurement System.
Festival Naming and Branding Strategy; Hālau Engagement and Partnership Strategy; Mission, Vision, And Objectives Development; Event Planning Timeline and Campaign Strategy; International Collaboration Framework; Budget Planning and Financial Strategy; Accommodation Strategy; Venue Assessment and Recommendation; Marketplace Concept, Brand, And Vendor Categories; Vendor Recruitment, Selection, And Onboarding Process; Marketplace Layout, Operations, And Programming Plan; Sponsorship and Sustainability Strategy; Pono Pledge Integration; Website Development Plan; Goals, Objectives, And Economic Impact Framework; Event Execution Transition Package
Proposer Experience (25%), Project Management (25%), Program Design and Strategic Approach (35%), Financial Approach (15%)
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Summary
The County of Hawaiʻi seeks a qualified consultant to plan and develop partnerships for two complementary cultural tourism initiatives launching in Fall 2027: the inaugural Hawaiʻi Island Japanese Hula Festival and the Island of Hawaiʻi Marketplace.
This 6-month planning engagement covers foundational planning, partnership development, vendor recruitment, branding, and pre-event preparation through delivery of a complete event implementation package. Total funding available for FY 2026-2027 is $100,000. Proposals are due by November 27, 2026, with a question submission deadline of November 10, 2026. Submissions must be made electronically via the OpenGov Procurement System.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
16- Festival Naming and Branding Strategy
- Hālau Engagement and Partnership Strategy
- Mission, Vision, And Objectives Development
- Event Planning Timeline and Campaign Strategy
- International Collaboration Framework
- Budget Planning and Financial Strategy
- Accommodation Strategy
- Venue Assessment and Recommendation
- Marketplace Concept, Brand, And Vendor Categories
- Vendor Recruitment, Selection, And Onboarding Process
- Marketplace Layout, Operations, And Programming Plan
- Sponsorship and Sustainability Strategy
- Pono Pledge Integration
- Website Development Plan
- Goals, Objectives, And Economic Impact Framework
- Event Execution Transition Package
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
3- Bidder/Proposal Signature Page
- Proposal WITHOUT pricing
- Redacted Copy of the Proposal
- Submit to
- https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/hawaiicounty
- Scope location
- Hilo, HI
- Reported agency
- County of Hawaii
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Hawaii County?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is November 28, 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://procurement.opengov.com/portal/hawaiicounty. For questions, contact Frecia Cevallos.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Hawaii County in HI, 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 Frecia Cevallos at (808) 961-8366. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Festival Naming and Branding Strategy; Hālau Engagement and Partnership Strategy; Mission, Vision, And Objectives Development; Event Planning Timeline and Campaign Strategy; International Collaboration Framework; Budget Planning and Financial Strategy; Accommodation Strategy; Venue Assessment and Re. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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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: "Proposer Experience (25%), Project Management (25%), Program Design and Strategic Approach (35%), Financial Approach (15%)" Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Hawaii County?
All active and historical solicitations from Hawaii County are tracked and searchable. As a county agency, Hawaii County 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 6 months. Contract terms may include renewal options.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of November 28, 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: Bidder/Proposal Signature Page, Proposal WITHOUT pricing, Redacted Copy of the Proposal. Review the full document from Hawaii County for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Hilo, HI. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.