Request for Proposals: Sculptural Roundabout Installations 2023, City of St. Thomas

Perseverance by Scott McKay, photo by Establish Media

Request for Proposals:
Sculptural Roundabout Installations, City of St. Thomas

Submission Deadline: December 15, 2023

The City of St. Thomas, Ontario, is inviting artist sculptural submissions for two roundabout projects to add to their growing collection – a City Wide Public Art Gallery comprised of four existing roundabout installations and nearly 50 murals.

Public art in roundabouts offers numerous benefits to communities, making them more than just traffic control features. These intersections provide a unique canvas for artists to transform spaces into vibrant creativity and cultural expression hubs.

Roundabout installations serve as a powerful tool for placemaking and community identity. By featuring sculptures reflective of the local culture, history, or values, these installations can instill a sense of pride and belonging among residents. It becomes a source of pride for the community, reinforcing a shared connection to the space, fostering a stronger sense of place, and creating iconic landmarks that allow folks to engage daily with art.

Materials used must be outdoor weather tolerant, requiring little to no maintenance. The structure must be durable, self-supporting in conjunction with the foundation in any weather event, and resistant to graffiti and vandalism.

Artists interested in submitting bids for one or both current projects must submit an electronic proposal before December 15, 2023.

Full details can be found at: stthomas.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en

Submitting a bid for a public art installation can be an enriching and rewarding experience for artists. It offers a platform for artistic growth, community engagement, financial compensation, and the chance to create a lasting impact on the urban environment. It’s an avenue through which artists can combine their creativity with a sense of purpose, contributing to the cultural enrichment of society.

The two current opportunities are prominent high-traffic gateways to the city adjacent to the recently announced Volkswagen EV Battery facility. Locations which can significantly increase an artist’s visibility and recognition within the art community and among the general public. While exposure is significant, artists will be compensated per the approved budget outlined in the tender documents.

These projects offer artists a significant degree of creative freedom. While specific guidelines apply, artists can express their unique visions and ideas. Submitting a bid for a public art installation can be an enriching and rewarding experience for artists. It offers a platform for artistic growth, community engagement, financial compensation, and the chance to create a lasting impact on the urban environment. It’s an avenue through which artists can combine their creativity with a sense of purpose, contributing to the cultural enrichment of a community.

Farm Scene by Scott McKay, photo by Establish Media

Project Requirements

The RFP is for the creative design, construction, and installation of an outdoor art structure to display at the centre of the Highbury Ave South and Ron McNeil Line roundabout; generally described below:

• Detailed design, including all necessary drawings and a dimensioned plan; not to exceed 20m length/width x 6m height. The design and layout shall be approved by the City of St. Thomas prior to construction.
• Design/concept to include a list of all materials to be used in construction.
• Materials used must be outdoor weather tolerant, requiring little to no maintenance.
• The City will provide a foundation, lighting, and traffic control during installation at no cost to the Proponent.

Eligibility

• The successful Proponent shall design a structure that is durable, self supporting in conjunction with the foundation in any weather event, and resistant to graffiti and vandalism.
• The successful Proponent must:
  ◦  Examine the site where the work is to be performed.
  ◦  Work in cooperation with the City for the foundation, lighting, and traffic control.
• All work is subject to inspection and final approval by the City’s representative. The Proponent shall remedy any defects in workmanship to the satisfaction of the City.

Compensation

Proponents are required to complete the electronic Pricing Forms in the Bidding System. The proposal must include a cost estimate, which will not be exceeded without prior written approval from the City. The budget for this project is outlined in the RFP.

Selection Process

The Evaluation Team shall be coordinated by the Purchasing Agent and consist of staff from the Environmental Services Department and members of the Public Art Committee.

Proposals received by the specified date and time, meeting the mandatory requirements, will be reviewed and evaluated according to the following criteria.

After receipt of the RFP submissions, the City of St. Thomas may request clarification of RFP submissions. Clarification may be to ascertain a Proponent’s understanding of, and level of responsiveness to, the RFP submission for the purpose of the evaluation process.

The City, in its sole discretion may adjust the evaluation score or ranking of RFP submissions as an outcome of the clarifications. The City reserves the right to limit clarification to any number of Proponents as determined by the Evaluation Team regardless of the number of the Proponents that provided an RFP submission.

A matrix is available on the RFP outline

How To Submit

Electronic Bid Submissions Only, shall be received by the Bidding System: stthomas.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en

Submission Deadline: December 15, 2023

For additional information or questions, please visit:
stthomas.bidsandtenders.ca/Module/Tenders/en

City of St. Thomas
545 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, ON N5P 3V7