The City of Sydney has come under scrutiny for granting multiple contract extensions to Foti Fireworks International, the company responsible for running the New Year’s Eve fireworks for the past 27 years. Despite the usual practice of putting the work up for tender, the council has chosen to extend its contracts with Foti at least seven times since 2006. In 2022, the company was even granted an exemption from the tender process due to pandemic uncertainty. However, Foti did win the public tender in 2023. While there is no allegation of wrongdoing, concerns have been raised about the competitiveness of the arrangement and the favorability of the tendering process to the incumbent.
Dr. Andy Asquith, a scholar researching governance in local councils at UTS, has raised questions about the lack of transparency in the process. He noted that over 27 years, no other company has been able to match or beat Foti Fireworks International, which raises eyebrows about the fairness of the tendering process. Foti has been responsible for the iconic fireworks display since 1997 and has entered into numerous contracts with the City of Sydney during this time. The council’s decision to repeatedly extend contracts with Foti instead of seeking new bids has raised concerns about whether other companies have been given a fair opportunity to compete for the prestigious event.
Despite the longevity of Foti’s involvement in the New Year’s Eve fireworks display, there is no indication of any improper conduct on the part of the council or the fireworks company. However, the changes to the tendering process and the repeated extensions of contracts have led to questions about the competitiveness of the arrangement. Foti Fireworks International has held the contract for the event since 1997, and the council’s decision to grant them extensions without open competition has raised eyebrows among industry experts and scholars. The council’s justification for granting Foti an exemption from the tender process in 2022 due to pandemic uncertainty further fueled concerns about the fairness of the procurement process.
The competitive nature of the tendering process for the New Year’s Eve fireworks event has been called into question, with critics pointing to the favoritism shown towards Foti Fireworks International. The company’s long-standing involvement in the event, coupled with the repeated contract extensions, has raised concerns about whether other fireworks companies have been given a fair chance to compete for the lucrative contract. While there have been no allegations of wrongdoing, the lack of transparency in the procurement process has prompted calls for a more open and competitive approach in the future. The City of Sydney’s decision to grant Foti an exemption from the tender process in 2022 has added to the scrutiny surrounding the arrangement.
Overall, the City of Sydney’s handling of the New Year’s Eve fireworks contract with Foti Fireworks International has sparked debate about the fairness of the tendering process and the competitiveness of the arrangement. While Foti has been responsible for the event for over two decades, concerns have been raised about whether other companies have been given a fair opportunity to compete for the prestigious contract. The lack of transparency in the procurement process and the repeated extensions of contracts have led to calls for greater accountability and openness in future dealings. Despite the absence of any accusations of misconduct, the issue has highlighted the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all potential bidders when awarding contracts for major events like the New Year’s Eve fireworks display.
