City of Ashland REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS RFP #18-01 Artistic Solar Public Art Project April 4, 2018 The City of Ashland, Wisconsin will be receiving proposals for the above noted project until Friday, June 1, 2018. Proposals must be submitted in electronic formal (email or flash drive preferred) with 2 printed hard copies mailed or delivered to: City of Ashland Attn: Laura Loucks; Sustainability Intern 601 Main Street West Ashland, WI 54806 Email: sustainability@coawi.org The City of Ashland reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals not judged to be in the best interest of the City. Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 1
Overview The City of Ashland, Wisconsin, seeks competitive design proposals from local artists for an art installation in H. Pearson Plaza, behind City Hall. The main goal of this installation will be to incorporate solar panels to provide an educational opportunity as well as to further beautify the park area. Energy created from the solar panels will be monitored and described on a plaque adjacent to the installation. H. Pearson Plaza has approximately 7,000 square feet of area to work with, is centrally located off Main Street, and visible on US Highway 2. This project will demonstrate the dedication of the City of Ashland to sustainability, as well as further distinguish the city as artistic and unique. Background Ashland is a small city with an outstanding collection of natural, cultural, and historical assets. Ashland utilizes the waterfront with a marina, walking/biking trails, various parks, 3 beaches, boat launches, a pier, RV park, redevelopment plans of the superfund site, and a vision for development of a nearly 2,000 foot ore dock base into a unique civic space. Historical influences shaping the present include educational institutions that reflect a commitment to ecology and place, including Northland College and Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College; a downtown filled with history and creativity, with numerous historical architectural landmarks, a historic district on the National Register, and a growing tradition of local public art; and a grid street network that provides the building blocks for a walkable, neighborly, and well-connected community. Objectives The City of Ashland Planning and Development Department is looking to expand the City s vision as a sustainable city of the future. As one piece in multiple initiatives to expand the sustainability infrastructure, the City would like to commission a local artist to design and install a sculpture incorporating solar panels in H. Pearson Plaza. This piece would serve as a demonstration of solar technology as well as further beautify the newly redesigned park. Goals: 1. Provide educational material on the process of PV solar energy generation 2. Incorporate this energy production into an aesthetically beautiful art piece 3. Establish Ashland as a sustainable, unique place to live and work Art Requirements Must include solar panels 1 Must be able to connect to the electrical grid Must include charging ports for electronics Must include lights or lighting for night use Must incorporate local culture, history, and/or natural environment 1 All artists will have access to local electrician to help with the design process as well as hookup to the electrical grid. Contact Laura Loucks for more information. Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 2
Location; Ownership The location of this installation will be in H. Pearson Plaza, directly behind city hall. This location was chosen because of its visibility, connection on utilities, relationship with city hall, and the recent beautification efforts that have been successful within and adjacent to the Plaza. The total area available for this artistic installation is 151 feet long by 52 feet wide. US Y2 W H M Str n i a t ee Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 3
Once completed, all ownership rights for the installation will be held by the City of Ashland, with credit given to the artist onsite and in all resource materials. Specified location Budget Included in the project proposal is an estimated project budget broken out by material cost, commission fee, and installation. Given that the project budget will be provided through area grants and other various sources, exact amount is subject to change, pending grant approvals; completion of the art piece is subject to city securing funds to complete. Slight variation in project is acceptable after acceptance to accommodate budget fluctuation. Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 4
Tentative Project timeline Proposal due date: June 1, 2018 Panel review: June 4-8, 2018 Notice of Award: June 8, 2018 Project presentation to Plan Commission and Park and Recreation Committee: June 19, 2018 o Participation not required Project presentation to City Council: June 26, 2018 o Participation not required Project Design and Budget finalized: September 1, 2018 City to initiate securing grants and other project funding: June 2018-Spring 2019 Budget approved by Planning Council and City Council: Spring 2019 Installation to commence Spring/Summer 2019 Installation complete: Spring/Summer 2020 Guidelines for approval and selection process All applications will be reviewed by April Kroner, Director of Planning and Development; Laura Loucks, Project Manager and Sustainability Intern at the City of Ashland; Sarah Hudson, Director of Parks and Recreation; Brian Tochterman, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Community Development at Northland College; Bill Bailey, Chequamegon Bay Renewables Board President, and Donna Lanni representative for the Ashland Beautification Council. The top 3 candidates will each receive a $100 gift certificate and be presented for final selection to Plan Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, and City Council. Selection Criteria Incorporation of solar panels Cultural Relevance Placemaking Budget Schedule Artistic merit and experience Integration of solar panels that is both beautiful and functional; adds to the overall aesthetic and beauty of the piece Relevance to the City of Ashland, including its diverse communities and history, tradition, and natural environment Capacity to improve the overall appearance of the vicinity of the physical art and create a community asset and sense of place. Appropriateness of scale, form, content, materials, textures, colors, and design to the surrounding environment Inclusion of reasonable cost estimates within an itemized budget based on requested amount Inclusion of realistic schedule and construction process Overall creative and aesthetic nature of the artist s conceptual design and narrative and past works 30% 20% 20% 15% 10% 5% Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 5
Proposal Requirements 1. Letter of interest: Description of interest in the project; Initial vision for the work; Relevant experience or background (artistic as well as solar); Contact info: name, address, phone, and email; please include community residing in, and how many years in the Chequamegon Bay region 2. Concept of proposed art piece: Description of the concept of the proposed project, including design intent, color, size, materials, lifetime, and fabrication process 3. Concept design: Rendering of the conceptual design, including multiple viewpoints/angles 4. Budget estimate: Estimated, itemized budget for the proposed project, including costs for materials, fabrication, installation, and any other relevant costs 5. Project schedule: Schedule for completion of work 6. Resume: Current professional resume 7. Work sample: A minimum of three and up to ten samples of past work, including an annotated image list stating the title of the piece, commissioning body, project budget, date, medium, and dimensions Submission Deadline The required submittal must be received on or before June 1, at 4pm local time. Include 2 paper copies and 1 electronic file (email/pdf or flash drive preferred). Label submittal: Artistic Solar Public Art Project. Submit to: City of Ashland Attn: Laura Loucks, Sustainability Intern 601 Main Street West Ashland, WI 54806 Submit emails to: sustainability@coawi.org Submit inquiries to: Laura Loucks, Project Manager, sustainability@coawi.org, 262-490-3115 Megan McBride, Assistant Planner, 715-682-7041 Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 6
RIGHTS RESERVED by the CITY OF ASHLAND This Request for Proposals does not commit the City to enter into a contract, nor does it obligate the City to pay for any costs incurred in preparation and submission of proposals in anticipation of a contract. The City of Ashland reserves the right to: Make the selection based on its sole discretion Reject any and all proposals without prejudice Issue subsequent Requests for Proposal Postpone opening for its own convenience Remedy technical errors in the Request of Proposal process Approve or disapprove the use of particular sub-consultants Negotiate with any, all, or none of the Proposers Solicit best and final offers from all or some of the Proposers Accept other than the lowest offer Waive informalities and irregularities in the proposal Request clarification of the information submitted Request additional information PROPOSER RESPONSIBILITY Interested proposers have the responsibility of understanding what is required by this solicitation. The City shall not be held responsible for any person s lack of understanding. Proposers are responsible to assure delivery prior to the deadline. Do not assume that a guarantee by a mailing service will ensure that the proposal is received by the deadline. CONTRACT No contract shall be in effect until the City executes a signed contract agreement. Contact: Laura Loucks; sustainability@coawi.org; 262-490-3115 7