Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Monica Cepero
Department: County Administration Division: Cultural Division
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO APPROVE only one reasonable source designation of Yes We Are Mad, LLC dba Mad Studios production services for the IGNITE Broward Art and Light Festival for the Cultural Division.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE Agreement between Broward County and Yes We Are Mad, LLC, dba Mad Studios, for production services for IGNITE Broward Art and Light Festival for the Cultural Division, in the initial one-year estimated not-to-exceed amount of $1,000,000, with four one-year optional renewals for a potential five-year estimated amount of $5,000,000; and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute same.
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Why Action is Necessary
MOTION A: In accordance with Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.25, Sole Source Procurement, non-standardized Sole Source procurements above the award authority of the Director of Purchasing must be approved by the Board.
Motion B: In accordance with Broward County Procurement Code, Section 21.47, Award and Execution Authority, the Board shall make all awards, and authorize the execution of the associated contracts, with a value of more than $500,000, inclusive of the value of any renewals or extensions provided for the contract.
What Action Accomplishes
MOTION A: Designates Yes We Are Mad, LLC, dba Mad Studios, as the only one reasonable source for production services for IGNITE Broward Art and Light Festival for the Cultural Division.
MOTION B: Authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement between Broward County and Yes We Are Mad, LLC, dba Mad Studios.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☒County Commission
☐Go Green
☐MAP Broward
Previous Action Taken
None.
Summary Explanation/Background
THE BROWARD COUNTY CULTURAL DIVISION AND PURCHASING DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
This item supports the Board's Healthy Community Goal of cultivating community culture, arts, recreation, and life-long learning.
The IGNITE Broward Art and Light Festival (IGNITE Broward) is a ten-day immersive arts festival presented by the Broward Cultural Division and historically produced in coordination with Yes We Are Mad, LLC dba Mad Studios (Mad Studios). The event draws more than 80,000 attendees annually to sites across three cities. Since its inception as “Light the Night” in 2021, Mad Studios has provided production services for the festival, including managing art curation, technical production, installation, and artist coordination.
Mad Studios is being recommended as the only one reasonable source vendor for production services for the IGNITE Broward festival (Exhibit 1). Mad Studios possesses extensive institutional knowledge of the festival’s history, operational framework, and community relationships, which are critical to ensuring continuity, brand integrity, and the successful delivery of the event. In addition, Mad Studios is uniquely qualified to manage the festival’s scope of work, as it coordinates all official artist calls, oversees public engagement activities, and maintains key partnerships that are integral to the event’s impact and visibility. The organization also contributes significant in-kind resources, including its 50,000-square-foot venue in Dania Beach, which substantially reduces facility rental costs and provides specialized infrastructure tailored to large-scale, immersive arts productions. These factors collectively establish Mad Studios as the only reasonable and capable vendor to fulfill the requirements of this multi-day, multi-site cultural festival.
The proposed agreement (Exhibit 2) with Mad Studios will procure production services for the entire IGNITE Broward for a not-to-exceed amount established by the County each fiscal year (which shall not exceed $1,000,000 for any fiscal year). For Fiscal Year 2026, the not-to-exceed amount for the event is currently budgeted at $900,000. The five-year total not-to-exceed for the agreement is $5,000,000, which includes all projected IGNITE Broward production costs to the County as well as Mad Studios’ production services. These expenses have historically been incurred by the Cultural Division through multiple separate procurements and purchase orders; the consolidation of diverse production services within one agreement will create efficiencies and continuities, economically outsourcing the event organization and related procurements through a single vendor. The proposed agreement (Exhibit 2) will be distributed as additional material.
The IGNITE Broward festival is sponsored and funded by multiple County agencies (the Cultural Division, Visit Lauderdale, Broward County Parks and Recreation, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport) as well as municipal partners, such as the City of Hollywood and the City of Dania Beach. These partnerships offset production costs and expand the festival’s regional visibility, demonstrating sustained regional and cross-agency support. The Cultural Division will continue to solicit additional public and private sponsors to support the event’s expansion and enhance community engagement opportunities.
Source of Additional Information
Phillip Dunlap, Director, Cultural Division, (954) 357-7456
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The not-to-exceed value of the Mad Studios contract over the five-year term is $5,000,000. Funding for Fiscal Year 2026 is included in the Cultural Division’s current operating budget, and future year funding will be subject to annual Board appropriation.