Submitted By: Amy Casaletto
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Presentation By: Amy Casaletto
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Department: Recreation and Parks
FORMAL TITLE:
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Three-year contract award to Shellard Lighting Design, LLC, for holiday lighting and décor services in an aggregate amount not to exceed $508,023
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Request for Proposal issued to the public: 6/26/2025
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BACKGROUND:
For over 40 years, the City of Ocala’s Light Up Ocala event and subsequent eight weeks of holiday lighting have drawn visitors into downtown Ocala, creating a festive downtown tradition that boosts the economy for local shops and restaurants.
On May 28, 2025, the City issued Invitation to Bid No. REC/250674 for the provision of holiday décor and lighting services in support of its annual holiday lighting program. A non-mandatory pre-proposal site meeting was held on June 12, 2025, where staff reviewed potential installation locations. Feedback received from that meeting led to the City deciding to convert the solicitation to a Request for Proposals (RFP), which was reissued on June 26, 2025.
The RFP closed on July 14, 2025, with four proposals received from: (1) Miami Christmas Lights d/b/a South Florida Lighting Team, LLC; (2) Miller Lights, Inc.; (3) Rileigh Outdoor, LLC; and (4) Shellard Lighting Design, LLC.
The City’s Selection Committee met on July 29, 2025, for the evaluation of the submitted proposals and issued independent scorings on a weighted scale as follow:
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Proposer Name |
Office Location |
Scoring |
Ranking |
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Shellard Lighting Design LLC |
Palm City, FL |
99 |
1 |
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|
|
|
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Miami Christmas Lights dba South Forida Lighting Team, LLC |
Miami Lakes, FL |
95 |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
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Rileigh Outdoor, LLC dba Holiday Outdoor Décor |
Allentown, PA |
92 |
3 |
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|
|
|
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Miller Lights Inc |
Orange City, FL |
89 |
4 |
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|
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Shellard Lighting Design, LLC received the highest-ranking score of 99 out of a possible 100.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
The holiday decorations and lighting supplied and installed by the vendor under this contract will augment the lighting installed by the Ocala Electric Utility Department (OEU) for this program. The contract labor portion was implemented approximately 15 years ago to reduce the impact on OEU’s labor resources, as the scale and type of decorations added are outside our practical means (e.g., set up of a 50-foot holiday tree).
As in prior years, the contract includes a large, decorated tree with synchronized lighting; pole wraps, bows and lighting; wreaths; stationary holiday décor items (giant ornament bulbs); illuminated standalone features; palm tree spiral lighting; and drip lights throughout the downtown and midtown areas including the Downtown Square, Citizens’ Circle, Tuscawilla Park and Art Park, Union Train Station, West Heritage Trail and the North Magnolia Business District. OEU will continue to provide draped lighting on the Downtown Square.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The three-year contract amount is $508,023. The contract provides the option for three one-year renewals. Funds are budgeted annually in the Recreation and Parks Department Special Services budget 001-021-121-572-57-31010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
These services were procured in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
- Approve with Changes
- Table
- Deny