Submitted By: Amy Casaletto
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Presentation By: Amy Casaletto
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Department: Recreation and Parks
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve a two-year contract renewal for drone show services for Fourth of July events with Sky Elements, LLC in the amount of $300,000
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Quality of Place, Economic Hub
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
Request for Proposal issued to public: 10/25/2023; Public Notice for Final Selection Committee Meeting posted: 01/04/2024
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BACKGROUND:
On October 25, 2023, the City issued Request for Proposals (RFP) No.: REC/240074 for the provision of drone show services for the City's Fourth of July Event. Four submittals were received, and Sky Elements, LLC received the highest ranking. The contract was awarded to Sky Elements, LLC. The agreement was for an initial term of one year, commencing February 7, 2024, and ending February 6, 2025, and offered a renewal for two additional one-year terms upon mutual consent of both parties. The annual cost for the original agreement was $71,415.
On July 4, 2024, the City hosted the inaugural "Patriotic Skies: A Fourth of July Drone Experience" event in Tuscawilla Park. The event featured an approximately 12-minute 300-drone light show showcasing a variety of patriotic and community-curated images and had an estimated attendance of 12,000 people.
The Marion County Tourist Development Council (TDC) contributed $20,000 in 2024 toward the event. In the attached letter, the County states they will request approval of $20,000 from the TDC for the 2025 event, subject to final approval by the TDC and the Marion County Board of County Commissioners, likely in the January-February 2025 timeframe.
Feedback from the community and our stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive; However, a common sentiment was the desire for a longer show duration to enhance the viewing exp...
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