2026-38 Invitation to Bid: Christmas Decorations

Location:	South Carolina
Posted:	Jun 5, 2026
Due:	Jun 22, 2026
Agency:	City of Florence
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	89 - Subsistence (Food)
Solicitation No:	2026-38
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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CITY OF FLORENCE, SC

INVITATION TO BID NO. 2026-38

CHRISTMAS STREET POLE MOUNT DECORATIONS

Sealed bids will be received in the Office of Purchasing and Contracting in the City Council Chambers, 324

W. Evans Street, Florence, South Carolina, 29501, until June 22, 2026, at 2:00 pm from qualified bidders

for the purchase and delivery of Christmas street pole mount decorations to the Public Works & Utilities

Department located at 1440 S. McCurdy Road, Florence, South Carolina 29501. All bids are subject to the

provisions of the conditions outlined in this invitation to bid.

Bids shall be opened promptly at the above stated time and date, and their contents will be made public for

the information of the bidder and other interested parties. The bid will not be awarded until the Purchasing

Agent, and the applicable Department Director have had ample time to review each bid.

Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope with “Bid No. 2026-38 Christmas Decorations” clearly marked

on the outside of the envelope for easy identification by the City of Florence. The City of Florence does not

accept electronic or emailed bids. Any bids received later than the specified time will not be

accepted/considered. The city will not be responsible for late submission caused by the postal service, other

carriers, or any other delivery problems regardless of the reason. Bids submitted by mail, Federal Express,

United Parcel Service, etc. must meet these same requirements and should be addressed to:

City of Florence

City Center

324 W. Evans Street

Florence, SC 29501-3431

The City of Florence under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes ensures that no person

shall on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age, be excluded from participation in,

be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity it

administers.

La ciudad de Florencia en el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964 y los estatutos, se asegura de

que ninguna persona por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, discapacidad, edad, ser excluido de

participar en, ser negado los beneficios de, o ser de otra manera sujeto a discriminación bajo cualquier

programa o actividad que administra.

The City of Florence reserves the right to engage in discussions with any or all responsible bidders who submit

bids which appear to be eligible for award, for the purpose of clarification to assure full understanding of and

responsiveness to the Invitation to bid requirements herein.

This solicitation does not commit the City of Florence to award a contract/purchase order, to pay any costs

incurred in the preparation of a bid, or to procure or contract for services. The City of Florence reserves the

right to reject any and all responses, to cancel this solicitation, and to make an award deemed in its own best

interest.

Lynwood F. Givens

Purchasing Agent

MINORITY, WOMAN, AND VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS

The City of Florence welcomes and encourages submissions from minority, woman, and veteran owned

businesses. Please indicate that you are a minority or woman owned business with your request for bid

documents.

Minority Business Owners (minority, woman, and veteran owned businesses) will be afforded full opportunity

to submit proposals in response to this invitation and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race,

color, creed, sex or national origin in consideration for an award. It is the policy of the City that minority,

woman, and veteran owned business enterprises (MBE/WBE/VBE) have an opportunity to participate at all

levels of contracting in the performance of City contracts to the extent practical and consistent with the efficient

performance of the contract.

The successful company must ensure that all subcontractors, agents, personnel assigned by or employees

of prime company and subcontractors are not discriminated against because of their race, color, religion, sex

or national origin. Bidders must make positive efforts to provide equal employment opportunity for minority

and women owned businesses.

LOCAL AND MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PURCHASING PROGRAM:

When lowest bid is the principal determining factor in a bid selection process it is the intent of the City of

Florence to provide preference first to local businesses within the City or County of Florence; however, if no

local business is eligible or able to participate, preference shall then be provided by the City to minority

business enterprises based on the following guidelines:

a. For purposes of this policy, a “local business” is defined as a person, firm, contractor, corporation,

or other business entity offering the services and/or products being bid by the City that maintain a

place of business and have a physical business address located and operating within the City or

County of Florence. The business must have been established for not less than one year within

the City or County of Florence and have a valid City of Florence Business License for a minimum

of 12 months prior to the bid date.

b. For purposes of this policy, a minority business enterprise (MBE) is defined as an MBE that is

certified in accordance with South Carolina Regulations § 19-445.2160, as authorized by §11-35-

5270 the South Carolina Code of Laws, as amended.

c. When lowest bid is the principal determining factor in the selection process any “local business” as

defined in Subsection A above that submits a responsible and responsive bid within 5% (if the

business is located within the City of Florence) or 3% (if the business is located within Florence

County) of the non-local bidder who submitted the lowest bid may match the bid submitted by the

non-local bidder. A “local business” that is within the percentage guidelines of the lowest bid

received shall then be eligible for award of the contract.

d. If the lowest bid is not a “local business” and a “local business” is within the percentage guidelines

of the lowest bid received, the “local business”, subject to the provision of Subsection H below,

shall be awarded the contract if it is willing to provide goods or services at the same price of the

lowest bid received.

e. If conditions of Subsections C above are met and the qualified “local business” declines or is

unable to match the lowest bid, then the option to do so moves to the next qualified “local

business”, if such business' bid is within the percentage guideline of the lowest bid, and is similarly

responsible and responsive.

f. In the event there is no “local business” eligible or willing to match the lowest bid, the lowest

responsible and responsive bid submitted by an MBE, if any, would be allowed the opportunity to

match the bid submitted by the non-local bidder and thereby be awarded the contract when lowest

bid is the primary determining factor in the bid selection process.

g. If a procurement is to be made pursuant to state funding requirements, federal funding

requirements, bond covenants, or other outside funding source requirements which prohibit or

restrict local or MBE preference, then no local or MBE preference consideration will be given.

h. The provisions for a local or MBE preference does not prohibit the right of the City to compare

quality of materials proposed for purchase and compare qualifications, character, responsibility and

fitness of all persons, firms, contractors, corporations, or other business entities submitting bids.

Accordingly, the local or MBE preference for a particular procurement may be waived by the City

Manager upon written recommendation and justification by the Department Director.

INSTRUCTION TO BIDDERS

The successful bidder must be authorized to sell the stated product outlined in the specifications of this bid

document.

All bids must be signed by an authorized officer or agent of the company submitting the bid.

The City will assume no responsibility for oral instructions or suggestions. All official correspondence in regard

to the specifications should be directed to and will be issued by the City Purchasing Agent.

DEFINITIONS: Responsible Bidder means a bidder who has the capability in all respects to fully perform the

stated requirements, and the integrity and reliability which will assure good faith performance.

Responsive Bidder means a bidder who has submitted a bid which conforms in all material respects to the

Invitation to Bid.

PROTEST: Any actual or prospective vendor, bidder, or contractor who is aggrieved in connection with the

solicitation or award of a contract may formally protest to the Finance Director. The protest shall be submitted

in writing within seven (7) days after such aggrieved person or party has received the bid tabulation or the

intent to award letter.

DISPUTES: In cases of disputes as to whether or not an item or service quoted or delivered meets the

specifications, the decision of the City of Florence shall be final and binding on all parties. The Procurement

Officer may request in writing, the recommendation of the head of the City agency using the item or other

objective sources.

DEVIATIONS: Any deviations from the specifications contained herein must be noted in detail on the bidder’s

bid response for the City of Florence’s consideration. Failure to submit documentation of deviations shall be

grounds for rejection of the item offered to the City of Florence.

CHANGES: Any changes in this Invitation to Bid after the purchase order/contract agreement has been

awarded must be with the written consent of the Procurement Officer or the City Manager; otherwise, the

responsibility for such changes lies with the vendor.

INQUIRIES: Questions concerning this invitation to bid should be directed to the City Purchasing Agent,

Lynwood F. Givens in writing by e-mail at lgivens@cityofflorencesc.gov. The deadline for the submission of

all inquiries is June 15, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Any changes to the specifications in the bid package shall

be in writing and an addendum will go out to all prospective bidders so each bidder can compete

equitably. All Addendums will be posted on the City of Florence website at

www.cityofflorencesc.gov. It will be the responsibility of bidders to periodically check the website

for addendums.

A complete copy of the City of Florence purchasing policies and procedures manual can be

downloaded from the City of Florence website at www.cityofflorencesc.gov.

CRITERIA FOR AWARD

The bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible/responsive bidder that best meets all of the City of Florence’s

specifications/scope of work, taking into consideration but not limited to the following:

a. Price

b. Style and conformity of the specified pole mount decorations

c. Manufactured in the United States

TAXES

The City of Florence pays SC Sales Taxes in the amount of 8%. However, the City of Florence is exempt from

Federal Taxes and will issue exemption certificates, if requested. INCLUDE SC SALES TAX WITH YOUR

BID.

GENERAL

The City of Florence, S.C. is receiving bids from businesses that supply quality Christmas pole decorations

that will be installed each year by City crews. The decorations must be compatible with the City’s current

street light poles.

SPECIFICATIONS

Christmas Street decorations are to be purchased from the qualified successful bidder as a lump sum

purchase.

1. 8’H x 45” W Pole Mounted Christmas Snowfall Decoration

Decoration shall be equal to or the equivalent of the 8”H x 45”W Pole Mounted Snowfall decoration as found

on the Mosca Designs website, www.moscadesign.com, It shall include LED rope lights and miniature lights

that create a twinkle effect. Pole mounting hardware is to be included. Purchaser will need approximately

twenty-five (25) of these decorations.

2. 8’H x 45” W Pole Mounted Christmas Glacial Swirl Snowflake Decoration

Decoration shall be equal to or the equivalent of the 8”H x 45”W Pole Mounted Glacial Swirl Snowflake as

found on the Mosca Designs website, www.moscadesign.com. It shall include LED rope lights and

miniature lights that create a twinkle effect. The trail of the snowflake (rope lighting) will be modified to gold

to match the Snowfall decoration. Pole mounting hardware is to be included. Purchaser will need

approximately twenty-five (25) of these decorations.

BID RESPONSE

1. Prices quoted shall be F.O.B.- City Center, 324 W. Evans St., Florence, SC.

2. Bid price should include all costs for supplying Christmas pole decorations.

3. The bid response shall include complete warranty/product support information, including written

specifications, published literature and photographs or illustrations.

4. Bid should include a list of municipalities using the proposed decorations.

5. Bid should include the time period from issuance of a purchase order to delivery of decorations.

Decorations are required to be delivered on or before November 2, 2026, as they are intended for use

this Christmas season.

DELIVERY

The Decorations shall be delivered to the City of Florence Public Works & Utilities Department located at 1440

S. McCurdy Road, Florence, South Carolina 29501.

SC ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION REFORM ACT

By signing this offer, you certify that your company will comply with, and will remain in compliance with during

the term of the agreement, the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14 of the South Carolina Code of

Laws and agree to provide to the City of Florence upon request any documentation required to establish

either:

(a) That Title 8, Chapter 14 is inapplicable to your company or your subcontractors or

subcontractors; or

(b) That your company and your subcontractors or sub-subcontractors are in compliance with Title

8, Chapter 14.

Pursuant to Section 8-14-60, your company shall agree to include in any contracts with

your subcontractors language requiring your subcontractors to:

(a) comply with the applicable requirement of Title 8, Chapter 14, and

(b) include in their contracts with the sub-subcontractors language requiring the subcontractors to

comply with the applicable requirements of Title 8, Chapter 14.

INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS

The firm shall agree to hold harmless, indemnify and defend the City of Florence, South Carolina, its agents

and employees from any claims for property damage or personal injury (including death resulting therefrom).

Such claims include, but are not limited to, actual, consequential, incidental or punitive damages. The firm

shall agree to maintain sufficient comprehensive general liability insurance, naming the City of Florence, South

Carolina, as additional insured, in the amounts of $1,000,000.00 per occurrence and $1,000,000.00 per

person. Proof of such insurance shall be given to the Procurement Officer by an appropriate certificate-of-

insurance issued by the firm’s insurance agent.

Further, the firm shall agree to insure prior to commencement of work on the project (job), all subcontractors,

agents, assigns or employees of prime firm and subcontractor shall agree to hold harmless, indemnify and

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

bid number	bid description	cloising date	bid file
2026-38 Invitation to Bid: Christmas Decorations	The City of Florence is accepting bids from qualified vendors for the purchase and delivery of Street pole mounted Christmas Decorations.	Mon, 06/22/2026	2026-38-invitation-to-bid.pdf

2026-38 Invitation to Bid: Christmas Decorations

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