Title
Resolution Determining “Blackbeard’s Crew, Inc.” to be the only source practicably available with proprietary rights from which to procure vetted and approved entertainers, featured ships, and support crews for the Blackbeard Pirate Festival, and Authorizing the negotiation and execution of a purchase contract with “Blackbeard’s Crew, Inc.” as "Sole Source."
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
The “Blackbeard Pirate Festival” is a signature festival for the City of Hampton, now in its 18th year. “Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew” are the creators and originators of this festival, now attended by over 70,000 citizens, which has been voted the “Third Most Popular Pirate Festival in the World” and produces close to $100,000 in revenue annually. The driving force behind this festival are members of “Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew,” a 501(c) 3 organization. This group is dedicated to preserving the seafaring trades, and to provide an authentic representation of Blackbeard and his infamous ties to Hampton through well-researched living history displays and period-specific demonstrations.
In order to successfully produce the “Blackbeard Pirate Festival,” the City of Hampton continues to seek quality features for the waterfront and unique entertainment options to reflect on the themes set by the Blackbeard Crew, where wooden ships, crews, and period entertainers are contracted for appearances and performances during the festival.
Discussion:
To this end, Hampton Parks, Recreation & Leisure Services would be better served by having “Blackbeard’s Pirate Crew” both recruit and contract with those individual vendors who pass their own vetting process, in the most efficient manner possible. This vetting process involves a vendor’s ability to meet very strict standards related specifically to Blackbeard’s history, as well as determining the logistics involved with mooring and accepting ships based on maneuverability and skill of the crews. It is in the best interest of the City of H...
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