Interior Dept. awards $6,037 for stage and tent rental for naturalization ceremony
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,037 ($6.0K)
Contractor: Hughes Event Rentals LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 181 days
Daily Burn Rate: $33/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EQUIPMENT RENTAL, DELIVERY, AND SET-UP OF A STAGE, STAGE STEPS, STAGE SKIRT, TENTS, AND CHAIRS FOR THE NEW CITIZEN NATURALIZATION CEREMONY AT CHARLES PINCKNEY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MT. PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
Place of Performance
Location: MOUNT PLEASANT, CHARLESTON County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29464
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $6,037 to HUGHES EVENT RENTALS LLC for work described as: EQUIPMENT RENTAL, DELIVERY, AND SET-UP OF A STAGE, STAGE STEPS, STAGE SKIRT, TENTS, AND CHAIRS FOR THE NEW CITIZEN NATURALIZATION CEREMONY AT CHARLES PINCKNEY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MT. PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA. Key points: 1. Low contract value suggests a niche, localized need. 2. Competition method indicates a standard procurement process. 3. Risk appears low due to the nature of the goods and services. 4. Sector is primarily event services, not a core government function.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6,037 for event rentals is relatively small. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale event rental contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment, but the price appears reasonable for the specified items and duration.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a competitive process for purchases below the simplified acquisition threshold. This method generally allows for fair price discovery among eligible vendors.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal given the low contract value and the specific nature of the event.
Public Impact
Enhances public engagement for a significant civic event. Supports the National Park Service's mission to host public events. Provides essential infrastructure for a ceremony at a historic site.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 33 / 10
Positive Signals
- Supports a public ceremony.
- Utilizes standard procurement procedures.
- Low dollar value limits financial risk.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under general consumer goods rental, specifically for event services. Spending benchmarks for similar event rentals are highly variable based on location and scale, but this appears to be a modest expenditure for a specific event.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to HUGHES EVENT RENTALS LLC. Analysis of whether this is a small business is not provided in the data, but the value suggests it could be.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a Purchase Order, a common method for smaller procurements. Oversight would focus on ensuring timely delivery, proper setup, and adherence to the contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Consumer Goods Rental
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- National Park Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for logistical delays impacting event schedule.
- Risk of equipment damage or inadequate quality.
- Dependence on vendor for critical event infrastructure.
Tags
all-other-consumer-goods-rental, department-of-the-interior, sc, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $6,037 to HUGHES EVENT RENTALS LLC. EQUIPMENT RENTAL, DELIVERY, AND SET-UP OF A STAGE, STAGE STEPS, STAGE SKIRT, TENTS, AND CHAIRS FOR THE NEW CITIZEN NATURALIZATION CEREMONY AT CHARLES PINCKNEY NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE MT. PLEASANT, SOUTH CAROLINA.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HUGHES EVENT RENTALS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6,037.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific value proposition of renting these items versus purchasing them for the National Park Service?
Renting offers a cost-effective solution for one-time or infrequent events, avoiding the capital expenditure and long-term maintenance costs associated with purchasing specialized equipment like stages and tents. This approach allows the NPS to access necessary resources for specific occasions without long-term financial commitment, aligning with efficient use of public funds for temporary needs.
What are the primary risks associated with this type of event rental contract?
The primary risks include potential delays in delivery or setup impacting the ceremony schedule, damage to the rented equipment during use, or inadequate quality of the provided items. For a public event, failure to meet these logistical requirements could also lead to negative public perception or safety concerns, though the low value suggests a limited scale.
How does this expenditure contribute to the overall effectiveness of the National Park Service's mission?
This expenditure supports the NPS's mission by enabling the successful execution of a significant public event, the naturalization ceremony. Providing a suitable venue and infrastructure enhances the experience for participants and visitors, fostering civic engagement and appreciation for national historic sites. It allows the NPS to fulfill its role in hosting community events.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Real Estate and Rental and Leasing › Consumer Goods Rental › All Other Consumer Goods Rental
Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT EQUIPMENT › LEASE OR RENTAL OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2300 CLEMENTS FERRY RD STE 201, CHARLESTON, SC, 29492
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,037
Exercised Options: $6,037
Current Obligation: $6,037
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2026-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)