The City of Cathedral City is seeking proposals from qualified audio/visual (A/V) firms or individuals to provide on-call sound, lighting, and video technician services at the Cathedral City Community Amphitheater. The selected provider will operate the venue’s City-owned sound and lighting systems for City-produced events, community programming, and third-party rentals, and will serve as the Amphitheater’s authorized technician for renters who use the City’s equipment. Proposals are due by Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) SCHEDULE/DEADLINES
- Deadline to receive unique questions from submitters – Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- Please email Patrick Bumstead at PBumstead@cathedralcity.gov
- Date the City will post answers to unique questions – Tuesday, August 11, 2026
- The proposals are due on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
- Anticipated Contract Execution (City Manager) – On or about September 25, 2026
SCOPE OF PROJECT
The Cathedral City Community Amphitheater (68526 Avenida Lalo Guerrero) is an outdoor performance venue that hosts City-produced events, community programming, nonprofit events, and privately rented events throughout the year. The venue is equipped with City-owned sound and lighting systems that require qualified technicians for safe and professional operation. Through this RFP, the City will award a single on-call professional services agreement, structured through individual task orders, to the most qualified proposer.
Under the City’s on-call model, the selected provider will (a) perform sound, lighting, and video technician services for City and City-sponsored events under City-issued task orders, and (b) serve as the Amphitheater’s authorized technician for third parties who rent the venue and elect to use the City’s sound and lighting equipment. This RFP is limited to the Amphitheater; the City reserves the right to procure A/V services for other City events, venues, and facilities separately.
Scope of Services
The selected provider will furnish qualified technicians on an as-needed, on-call basis. Anticipated work includes operating sound and lighting systems for live events such as concerts, community events, and theatrical or staged productions; installing, adjusting, and operating audio, lighting, and video equipment, including spotlights and computer-controlled lighting systems; conferring with event and production directors to establish cues and taking direction from the stage manager during performances; mixing and monitoring audio; programming lighting consoles; testing, troubleshooting, and arranging equipment repairs; and maintaining, cleaning, storing, and inventorying equipment — all within applicable health and safety regulations.
Term and Budget
The initial term will commence October 1, 2026, and run through June 30, 2028 — a 21-month period aligned with the City’s fiscal year — with up to four (4) additional one-year extensions at the City Manager’s discretion, each running July 1 through June 30. The not-to-exceed amount for the initial term is $75,000. This procurement is conducted under the City Manager’s contracting authority pursuant to the Cathedral City Municipal Code and does not require City Council award.
Who Should Apply
The City encourages proposals from all qualified A/V firms and individuals, including the City’s current service provider. Proposals will be evaluated by a panel on a 100-point scale considering firm qualifications and technical experience, live-event sound, lighting, and video production expertise, staffing capacity and on-call responsiveness, experience serving municipal clients and public venues, familiarity with outdoor amphitheater operations, rate structure and overall cost, and references.
Complete submission requirements and evaluation criteria are detailed in the RFP. All questions must be submitted in writing to Patrick Bumstead at PBumstead@cathedralcity.gov no later than Tuesday, August 4, 2026; responses will be posted by written addendum so that every proposer has equal access to the same information.
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