Public Address System (ATOH)

The 673d Contracting Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, is conducting market research under a sources-sought notice for the 2026 Arctic Thunder Open House to identify capable providers of a comprehensive public address system. This is not a solicitation but a pre-acquisition effort to gather industry capabilities, with no formal contract award expected at this stage. The requirement calls for a high-fidelity, all-weather public address system capable of delivering clear voice and music coverage across a 40-acre area to support up to 100,000 attendees daily, with special emphasis on key locations including the Thunderbirds tent and the southern end of the blue ramp. The system must include at least three microphones, speakers with individual attenuation, low-profile designs for crowd lines, two A-210-B base radio stations with aviation headsets and push-to-talk capability, multiple A-24 handheld radios for first responders, a real-time weather station for the Air Boss, and FM event simulcast functionality. The contractor will be responsible for full management, including planning, setup, testing on July 19, daily operation from 0800 to 1800 on August 6–9, and teardown, with all work performed at JBER’s airfield ramp adjacent to Hangars 1, 2, and 3. The North American Industry Classification System code for this effort is 532490, with a size standard of $40 million, and respondents are required to self-certify their small business status under this code. Interested parties must submit comprehensive information including company name and address, Unique Entity Identifier and CAGE Code, business size classification, applicable small business type designation, and a point of contact with telephone and email. A capabilities statement demonstrating experience in delivering similar large-scale, mission-critical PA systems under demanding environmental conditions is mandatory. The contractor must ensure personnel have base access in accordance with Arctic Thunder procedures, safeguard all government equipment and property, secure facilities and materials at the end of each workday, and provide a qualified professional familiar with PA hardware and an onsite operator during the event. A 100 percent inspection will be conducted to verify that audio clarity meets the threshold of 70 dB throughout the entire 40-acre zone, with performance acceptance contingent upon synchronized, uninterruptible sound delivery to all patrons across the venue. Responses are due by June 12, 2026, and