Dont have my code book so I'm reading bits and pieces of 400.7b from Google.
Question, why wouldn't romex be required to have a plug when be used for lighting stringers? They never do but according to 400.7b seems like they should. Thanks
Non-metalic sheathed cable is not a portable cord. It is intended and required to be secured every 4.5 feet and within 12" (going from memory) of a termination.
I would not use NM accross a floor to feed a demo machine. If the machine was far from the supply and needed power for more than a day or two I might use SER aluminum cable strung through the ceiling to a point near the machine, install an outlet and switch to rubber cord to run from there to the machine.
Now all that said, none of this thread makes a bit of sense to me as you are an estimator, not a designer or an installer. Why not ask the electricians you are estimating for what the local area expects for this type of installation?
I can tell you this, as an installer I pay no attention to what the estimators figured or planed. I follow the prints and my knowledge of the local rules and expectations. If that results in the job going into the red well, so be it.