NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE - “GREAT AMERICAN EXPERIENCE” PAVILION AT ARTBOX 2026

The U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Singapore, intends to award a firm-fixed price contract on a sole source basis to Invade Capital Pte. Ltd., Singapore. The requirement is for the design, build-out, staffing, branding, marketing, operational management, and post-event reporting of the “Great American Experience” pavilion at Artbox 2026, one of Singapore’s largest and most visible cultural festivals.

Artbox, Singapore’s premier lifestyle festival, draws over 60,000 visitors over two weekends and attracts tastemakers and potential commercial partners in Singapore’s highly saturated cultural landscape with a dynamic fusion of art, commerce, and cuisine. Participation provides the United States with a platform to highlight American strengths in innovation, entrepreneurship, culture, and education, while also promoting U.S. goods and services. The pavilion will function as both a public diplomacy initiative and a commercial diplomacy opportunity, creating direct engagement with local audiences, enhancing awareness of U.S. trade and investment opportunities, and influencing key audiences on the strengths of American culture and its leadership role in culture, economy, and business..

The project is a part of a sustained campaign on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence and the 60th anniversary of U.S.–Singapore diplomatic relations. These anniversaries underscore the strength and continuity of the bilateral relationship and provide a natural opportunity to reaffirm the importance of U.S. partnerships in Asia.

The estimated performance period is twelve (12) months from award, with an estimated contract value of SGD 88,000.

2. Authority

This procurement is conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), soliciting from a single source. Invade Capital Pte. Ltd. is the exclusive organizer and license holder for Artbox Singapore. No other vendor has the rights or capability to provide pavilion space and integrated services within the festival. Given the exclusivity of these rights, coupled with immovable festival deadlines and the need for extensive advance planning, soliciting competition would not be a reasonable or effective use of Government resources.

3. Capability Requirements

Interested parties must demonstrate the ability to fully perform this requirement. To be considered responsive, a firm must:

• Hold the legal authority and exclusive rights to operate within Artbox Singapore, including the ability to provide pavilion space and coordinate directly with festival management.

• Be registered to conduct business in Singapore, with a valid tax identification number, and possess all required permits and licenses. If not currently held, a detailed and verifiable plan with timeline must be submitted showing how these will be obtained prior to contract award.

• Demonstrate proven operational experience managing large-scale events (≥50,000 visitors) in Singapore including pavilion build-out, logistics, staffing, vendor management, branding, and marketing. If not currently established locally, a credible plan to establish the necessary staff, resources, or partnerships in Singapore must be provided.

• Be able to obtain and maintain Defense Base Act (DBA) insurance and comply with all Embassy branding, security, and reporting requirements. If not already in place, the firm must provide a plan identifying providers or partners and a timeline for compliance.

• Show the ability to import U.S. goods and cultural materials into Singapore, with knowledge of local customs clearance procedures, shipping lead times, and regulatory requirements. If this capability is not already in place, the firm must present a plan to develop it prior to performance.

4. Advancement of U.S. Interests

This requirement supports U.S. national interests by showcasing American excellence in culture and innovation at a high-impact event.

Participation in this festival makes the United States stronger by reinforcing six decades of partnership with Singapore, a key security and economic partner in Asia. The pavilion will showcase American leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture to tens of thousands of regional visitors, strengthening U.S. influence and credibility. With regional audiences voicing concern about U.S. retreat from Southeast Asia, the festival will telegraph U.S. staying power and cultural and technological excellence.

This program makes the United States safer by promoting mutual understanding and reducing misperceptions. Public diplomacy at scale helps foster trust, stability, and cooperation with Singapore and its neighbors, reinforcing U.S. interests in a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region. It communicates our policies accurately, including on border security, while also expanding the reach of our messaging to more audiences.

The U.S. pavilion at Artbox makes the United States more prosperous by promoting U.S. goods, services, educational opportunities, and cultural exports to new audiences. The pavilion creates pathways for American companies and institutions to expand into Southeast Asian markets, supporting U.S. jobs and economic growth. It builds public support for potential future commercial deals and investment opportunities in the United States.

In support of America’s 250th anniversary of independence, the event will project the unparalleled, world-class caliber of U.S. cultural exports, including in sports, music, film, and cuisine. The event will highlight travel destinations within the United States in advance of major global sporting events like the FIFA World Cup in Miami and the Olympics in Los Angeles.

5. Market Research

The Embassy reviewed multiple festivals and large-scale public events in Singapore as potential venues for showcasing American culture and innovation. While other festivals were considered, Artbox was selected because of its combination of scale, visibility, and alignment with U.S. objectives. Artbox consistently attracts more than 60,000 visitors from diverse demographic groups, including young professionals, families, and regional travelers, offering broad reach and impact unmatched by alternative venues.

In addition, Invade Capital Pte. Ltd. holds the exclusive rights to organize and manage Artbox, making it the only entity able to provide pavilion space and integrated services within the festival. Other event management firms in Singapore may possess general capability in logistics or marketing, but none can deliver participation in Artbox without Invade’s authorization.

The Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE) was developed using published price information from Invade and validated against comparable costs for similar-scale cultural pavilions and festival operations in Singapore. This analysis confirmed that the proposed price is fair and reasonable.

Based on this research, the Embassy determined that Invade Capital Pte. Ltd. is the only responsible source capable of fulfilling the requirement.

6. Submission of Capability Statements

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.

Interested parties may submit a written capability statement to the Contracting Officer by email no later than September 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Singapore Standard Time (SGT). The Government will review all responses received by the deadline. However, based on the exclusive rights held by Invade Capital Pte. Ltd., the Government intends to proceed with a sole-source award on or about September 29, 2025, unless a qualified capability statement demonstrates that another responsible source can meet all requirements.