Notice End Date: October 16, 2025

Vendor Name: MSE

Contract Amount: $750,000

Agency Procurement Manager: Aimee Hood

Agency Procurement Manager Email: AHood@scdah.sc.gov

Agency Procurement Manager Telephone#: 803-896-6213

The Agency hereby provides notice that it intends to enter into a sole source contract per S.C. Code Ann. §11-35-1560 with Vendor for the following supplies, services, information technology, or construction:

Scope of Work: Charleston Signature City Large Scale Event Coordination and Planning and Sponsorship Development

Overview

Curiosity, excitement, and momentum are in place to continue building a movement that elevates Charleston and brings national attention to the critical role South Carolina played in winning the American Revolution. A Charleston-focused plan is required to encourage peninsula-wide pride and unity, designed to serve both local residents and outside travelers.  Events will take place June 20, 2026- July 5, 2026.

A dedicated public relations and marketing partner is sought to:
- Leverage regional and statewide media and advertising resources from partners such as Explore Charleston, Post and Courier, and South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism (SCPRT).
- Apply local and national expertise to develop a coordinated strategy with SC250.
- Maximize the amplification platforms being developed by Authenticity and other partners.

Key Deliverables

Amplification

- Integrate steering committee partners in pre-event storytelling with local media outlets.
- Engage national influencers with Lowcountry roots as regional brand ambassadors.
- Produce and share behind-the-scenes content and historical storytelling to highlight Charleston’s role.

Programming

- Participate in coordinated regional and national programming, including the State Fair, America’s Field Trip, and America’s Potluck.
- Support and produce original content (e.g., documentary shorts such as Battle of Sullivan’s Island).
- Curate conversations featuring diverse topics and thought leaders.
- Develop new event streams that broaden perceptions beyond the Civil War, attract youth engagement, and build pride among Charlestonians.
- Identify aligned speakers, talent, visuals, and thematic content.
- Coordinate dignitary engagement and outreach to faith, settlement, and artistic communities.

Operations & Guest Management

- Centralize event-related communications and planning with a core designated lead.
- Maintain accurate guest lists and RSVP tracking platforms (to include ADA, meal notes, seating, ticketing, and pledges).
- Generate detailed production and logistics documents.
- Conduct pre-event planning meetings to align stakeholders and vendors.
- Coordinate with City of Charleston and planning officials in advance of each event.
- Develop a holistic community and public relations plan.

Staffing & Management

- Provide a Logistics Manager to support planning and execution.
- Support coordination between the Executive Director, sponsor liaison, and additional coordinators.
- Conduct vendor walkthroughs (partial and full) during pre-production.
- Provide consultative support with creative, programmatic, and technical experts.
- Assist in budget framework development and submission of permitting documentation.

Financials

- Collaborate to formalize the working budget for all phases.
- Establish agreed-upon processes for managing daily transactions, insurance, legal, and team expansion matters.
- Ensure inclusion of contingency and infrastructure costs.

Sponsorships & Brand Partnerships

- Advance sponsorship strategies that appeal to local, regional, and national stakeholders.
- Create experiences designed for multi-generational audiences.
- Support the cultivation of brand partnerships with founding donors, regional hospitality partners, and national corporations (examples include Boeing, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Walmart).
- Align sponsorship messaging with the amplification framework.

Qualifications
- Experience in large-scale public event marketing, public relations, and guest management.
- Proven ability to collaborate with government entities, media outlets, and tourism partners.
- A record of creating inclusive, compelling, and historically informed programming.

Agency's justification for a sole source procurement may be viewed or immediately obtained at: Agency Procurement Manager (Listed Above)

PROTESTS:
Any actual or prospective bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor aggrieved in connection with the intended award or award of this sole source contract, shall notify the appropriate chief Procurement officer in writing of its intent to protest within five (5) business days of the date this notice is posted. Any actual or prospective bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor who is aggrieved in connection with the intended award or award of this sole source contract and has timely notified the appropriate chief procurement officer of its intent to protest, may protest to the appropriate chief procurement officer in the manner set forth below within fifteen days of the date this notice is posted; except that a matter that could have been raised as a protest of the solicitation may not be raised as a protest of the award or intended award of a contract.
A protest must be in writing, filed with the appropriate chief procurement officer, and set forth the grounds of the protest and the relief requested with enough particularity to give notice of the issues to be decided. The protest must be received by the appropriate chief procurement officer within the time provided above. Days are calculated as provided in S.C. Code Ann. § 11-35-310(13).

Any Notice Of Intent To Protest And Protest Must Be Addressed To: Materials Management Officer