TAMPA — When President Barack Obama addressed the world two weeks ago from Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base, he stood on a hastily-built stage that cost the public nearly $100,000.

Elite Productions, which says it's based in Washington, D.C., Michigan and Iowa, provided the stage along with drapery and audio and visual equipment.

It did so after the government awarded it a sole-source contract — meaning that the work, at an estimated cost of $94,360, was not put out to bid. In a form justifying it, the government wrote that plans for Obama's Sept. 17 visit were finalized only a day earlier, leaving little time.

"Market research was conducted to determine if others could provide these items and compete for this requirement," the statement said. "Three sources were contacted and communicated that they could not provide the requirement with such quick turnaround. . . . Aside from Elite Productions, no other company is able to deliver the items required on the same day."

Neither the company nor the military would give any more details Tuesday.