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BACKGROUND <br /> In 2013, the City initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process for outdoor theatrical <br /> production services for its "Free Shakespeare in the Park" program. The Request for <br /> Proposal was sent to two (2) professional Bay Area theater companies. Two (2) theatre <br /> companies responded to the RFP, and on May 21, 2013, the City Council approved the <br /> recommendation to contract with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival for outdoor <br /> theatrical production services. The City's current Service Agreement with the San <br /> Francisco Shakespeare Festival will expire on June 30, 2016. In order for the City to <br /> continue to provide outdoor theatrical productions services without disruption, it is <br /> essential that the City secure an agreement with a theatre company so preparation can <br /> begin for the next season in July 2016. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> In consideration of the timelines, staff conducted a RFP process for outdoor theatrical <br /> production services in October 2015. In addition to the City's customary process of <br /> announcing the bid process through press releases and being posted on the City's <br /> website, the RFP was also sent out to two (2) professional Bay Area outdoor theatrical <br /> companies, known for their professionalism, quality of work, and outdoor programming. <br /> At the conclusion of the RFP process, the City only received one (1) proposal which <br /> was submitted by the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. <br /> In October 2015, a Screening Committee consisting of two (2) Civic Arts <br /> Commissioners and City staff reviewed the proposal. Although there was only one (1) <br /> proposal received, the Committee was thoroughly impressed with the San Francisco <br /> Shakespeare Festival's vast experience and high quality programming. They felt <br /> strongly that the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival would continue the excellent level <br /> of outdoor theater that the community has come to expect. <br /> At the January 4, 2016 Civic Arts Commission meeting, staff from the San Francisco <br /> Shakespeare Festival spoke to the Commission and expressed their interest in <br /> continuing as the outdoor theatrical production company provider. As a result, the <br /> Commission voted unanimously to recommend that the services agreement for outdoor <br /> theatrical production services be awarded to the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. <br /> They felt that San Francisco Shakespeare Festival has established a wonderful <br /> program here in Pleasanton and they would like to see that tradition continue. <br /> The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that <br /> began in 1983, with Free Shakespeare in the Park's debut production of "The Tempest" <br /> in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. Today they are a regional theater <br /> company and major arts-education provider. <br /> In addition to producing the outdoor "Free Shakespeare in the Park" program in <br /> Pleasanton, the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival also produces outdoor programs <br /> for the cities of San Francisco and Cupertino. <br /> Page 2 of 3 <br />