CITY OF UNION CITY BART TRANSIT COLUMN MURAL PROJECT
(City Project No. 27-12)
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)
FOR THE CREATION OF A QUALIFIED MURAL ARTIST VENDOR POOL AND
MURAL ARTIST OR ARTISTS TEAM UNDER A PROFESSIONAL
SERVICES AGREEMENT
Contact:
City of Union City
Attn: Laura Buzo, Director
Community and Recreation Services Department
34009 Alvarado-Niles Road
Union City, CA 94587
Phone: (510) 675-5277
Email: [email protected]
Request for Qualification Applications Due:
November 30, 2026 by 12:00 p.m.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT TIMELINE OVERVIEW ........................................................................................... 3 I. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................... 5 II. PROJECT OVERVIEW........................................................................................................... 6 III. PROJECT SITE INFORMATION......................................................................................... 8 IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES ........................................................................................................ 9 V. BUDGET................................................................................................................................... 9 VI. RFQ REQUIREMENTS....................................................................................................... 10 VII. RFQ APPLICANT INFORMATION SESSIONS............................................................ 11 VIII. RFQ APPLICATION ELEMENTS................................................................................... 12 IX. RFQ SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE ............................................... 14 X. RFQ EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS............................................................ 14 XI. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL............................................................................................ 16 Important Links and Documents:
The following documents can be accessed on the City of Union City website:
www.unioncity.org/967/BART-Mural-Project
To request a paper copy of the following documents, please email [email protected] or call (510) 675-5277 Attachments:
• Exhibit A: Union City BART Mural Project: A Community Feedback Report (Complete Report)
• Exhibit B: September 11, 2025, BART Mural Project Community Forum Notes • Exhibit C: Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Arts Program Guidelines • Exhibit D: Aerial Map and Photos of BART Columns
• Exhibit E: City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project Request for Proposals (RFP)
• Exhibit F: Union City Standard Contract
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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 3
CITY OF UNION CITY BART TRANSIT COLUMN MURAL PROJECT
PROJECT TIMELINE OVERVIEW
The City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project (BART Mural Project) timeline represents the City of Union City’s (Union City or City) best estimate of the schedule that will be followed. The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary. Notification of any adjustment to this timeline will be provided to the public in the form of an addendum and shared on the City’s website, on the following webpage: https://www.unioncityca.gov/967/BART-MuralProject Request for Qualifications (RFQ) Timeline
Activities Dates
Release of Request for Qualifications October 19, 2026
RFQ Application Information Session 1 October 28, 2026
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
RFQ Application Information Session 2 October 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
RFQ Applicant: Prospective Applicants Submit
Clarifying Questions
October 30 – November 9, 2026
Deadline to Submit RFQ Application November 30, 2026 by 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
RFQ Application Review Period for Minimum
Qualifications
December 1 – 16, 2026
All RFQ Artists Notified December 17 – 18, 2026
Request for Proposals
Selected Artist(s) Advance to the Next Phase,
Request for Proposals (RFP) Notifications
Week of December 21, 2026
Mandatory Information Session for RFP
Candidates/Selected Artists
December 21, 2026
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Community Forum: Celebrating Decoto
Community and Union City History and Legacy
January 9, 2027
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 4 RFP Candidates/Artists Develop Application
and Design Proposal
January 9 – February 22, 2027
Deadline for RFP Candidates/Artists to Submit
Completed Application and Design Proposal
February 22, 2027 by 12:00 p.m.
(Noon)
Community Forum: RFP Candidates/Artists
Design Proposal Presentations to Community
March 13, 2027
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Community Input Period for RFP Design
Proposals
March 13 – March 31, 2027
RFP Application and Design Review Period April 1 – 16, 2027 Recommended Artist(s) Forwarded to BART for
Review and Final Approval
April 19 – April 30, 2027
Recommended Artist(s) Forwarded to Union
City, Art and Culture Commission for Review
and Final Approval
May 2027
Specific date to be determined
Recommended Artist(s) Forwarded to Union
City, City Council for Review and Final
Approval
May 2027
Specific date to be determined
Mural Design and Development Phase (May – July 2027)
Contract Development with Approved Artist(s) May/June 2027 BART and Union City Arts and Culture
Commission and City Council Review and
Approve Final Design and Master Calendar
June/July 2027
Mural Installation Phase (July – October 2027)
BART Transit Column Mural Installation Begins July/August 2027 BART Transit Column Mural Installation
Complete
October 2027
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 5 I. INTRODUCTION
The City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project is a community-informed public art initiative that will transform up to 10 BART transit columns located in the Decoto neighborhood and along Charles F. Kennedy Park (Kennedy Park), outside of the Union City Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Station. The City of Union City is partnering with BART on this project, as it is the property owner of the aerial trackway vertical concrete columns that sit along Kennedy Park, pedestrian pathways and traffic roadways. Union City, in partnership with BART, invites qualified artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications for this opportunity. Mid-career artists with demonstrated experience designing and executing community-centered and site-responsive public art or murals of similar scale and complexity are strongly encouraged to apply.
Through this effort, Union City and BART seek to create a vibrant and welcoming environment that enhances the transit and City interface while honoring the voices, stories, and lived experiences of the community. The murals will transform these columns into a cohesive public art experience and vibrant visual landmark that reflects the identity, history, and cultural richness of Decoto and Union City as a whole.
Furthermore, the murals will provide an inclusive and accessible experience and visual impact from a distance, while ensuring long-term durability appropriate for an outdoor public setting.
A. Background
The City of Union City adopted a five-year Strategic Plan in 2019. On September 26, 2023, the City Council adopted the Strategic Plan FY 2019–2020 through FY 2024– 2025 Final Update, after reviewing progress and establishing priorities for the remaining two years. This update also introduced new strategies to advance existing goals. The strategy to place murals on the BART pillars in Kennedy Park was first incorporated into the Strategic Plan in August 2021 (as noted below) and reaffirmed in September 2023. Strategic Plan alignment is as follows:
Goal E: Communication and Outreach
Build connections with community partners, residents, and employees.
Strategy: Collaborate with the Arts and Culture Commission and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to place murals on the Kennedy Park BART pillars.
The BART Mural Project is funded through the Public Art In-Lieu Fee, which is replenished when a developer of certain types of private facilities pays an in-lieu fee instead of providing on-site public art. These funds cover all publicly installed art projects throughout the City. The City has allocated a total of up to $150,000 for the mural installation. The final budget amount will be determined by the number of qualified artist(s) selected, design concept, number of murals to be installed, and material and equipment costs.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 6 II. PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Union City BART Station, located at 10 Union Square, Union City, CA 94587, serves as a vital transit hub and gateway into the City. BART is a heavy-rail public transit system that connects the San Francisco Peninsula with communities in the East Bay and South Bay. BART utilizes an aerial trackway on vertical concrete columns through Union City. This project aims to activate and transform the surrounding community by placing murals on a series of these vertical concrete columns located within and adjacent to the BART Station area and the Decoto community and Kennedy Park in Union City, California.
The City seeks an exceptionally talented and experienced, mid-career artist(s) or artist team(s) who will collaborate meaningfully with staff and the community to design and execute 10 distinct murals that tell a cohesive story through the following:
● Celebrating the cultural diversity, history, and legacy of the Decoto community and Union City as a whole;
● Elevating the vibrancy, strengths, and assets of the surrounding community; ● Creating a more inviting and visually engaging public space that resonates with a broad and diverse audience;
● Fostering community pride, connection, and belonging through accessible art; ● Enhancing the experience of pedestrians, cyclists, park users, and commuters, and ● Creating a strong visual impact at both close and long-range viewing distances.
A. Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals The artist selection process for the BART Mural Project will be conducted in two phases through a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP). The RFQ is the first phase of the artist selection process and focused on qualifications—identifying individual artists or artist teams with the artistic experience, technical capacity, and demonstrated ability to successfully complete a community-centered public art project of this scale and complexity. After a thorough screening and evaluation process, the top qualified artists or artist teams, from the RFQ applicant pool, will be invited to participate in the RFP process, the second phase of the artist selection. In the RFP phase, invited qualified artists will develop separate detailed proposals for review by a selection panel and the community.
Artists or artist teams that meet the RFQ minimum requirements and submit a completed application will be included in a Qualified Mural Artist Vendor Pool for future Union City projects, until June 30, 2032. Applicants that do not meet the minimum requirements for this project, may still be included in the qualified vendor pool. For any future projects in which the City seeks to contract with an artist or artist team, a separate selection process will be conducted using the Qualified Mural Artist Vendor Pool. Additional information about the RFQ and RFP phases is provided later in this document.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 7 B. Community Engagement
The BART Transit Column Mural Project is grounded in extensive and inclusive community engagement process conducted by the City of Union City staff. Engaging the community throughout the life of this project is critical. City staff have conducted a number of outreach and engagement opportunities, including surveys, focus groups, and meetings. The findings and insights from these efforts have been synthesized and included in the Union City BART Mural Project Community Feedback Report (Community Report). They will serve as a key resource for artists in developing site-responsive and community-informed proposals. The Community Report is not intended as a set of instructions, but as an invitation—offering insight into the lived experiences, histories, and aspirations of the Decoto community and Union City residents. Refer to Exhibit A: Union City BART Mural Project: A Community Feedback Report for more information.
C. Community Themes
The selected mural artists or artist teams are expected to develop work that draws from the themes, stories, and values identified through the community engagement process, as outlined in the Community Report. The themes are listed below in order of prominence based on community input. The first three themes, in bold, reflect the most widely expressed perspectives and interests of the community, and should be strongly considered in the development of mural concepts. The themes should be viewed as opportunities for artistic interpretation rather than literal illustration. All five themes are important and may be interpreted in combination:
Theme #1: Honor and Visibility for Decoto's Legacy
Theme #2: Agricultural and Labor Heritage
Theme #3: Cultural Pride, Unity & Diversity
Theme #4: Youth & Future Generations
Theme #5: Community Resilience and Belonging
Refer to Exhibit B: September 11, 2025, BART Mural Project Community Forum Notes that provides additional community input and feedback that also informed the themes and the design of the RFQ and RFP.
D. Alignment with the BART Arts Program Guidelines
Community engagement efforts garnered rich historical narratives, personal stories, and references to specific individuals, and events connected to the Decoto neighborhood and Union City. However, in accordance with BART’s public art guidelines, artists are strongly discouraged from including literal or representational depictions of historical figures, identifiable individuals, or specific historical events in artwork proposed for BART property. Therefore, City and BART staff will work closely with the selected artist or artist team to ensure adherence to BART Arts Program Guidelines that include parameters designed to ensure the murals remain inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with their role as a regional transit provider. Thus, REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 8 this project promotes the creation of artwork that is engaging, meaningful, and resonates with current and future generations of residents and visitors alike. Refer to Exhibit C: BART Arts Program Guidelines for more information.
III. PROJECT SITE INFORMATION
A. Site Description
There are 10 columns identified for this project, which include two columns on Decoto Road across from Charles F. Kennedy Park, seven columns located along the park's eastern edge, parallel to 12th Street, and one column on J Street across from the park. This area includes pedestrian pathways, park sections, high-traffic areas, and transit-adjacent spaces. Refer to Exhibit D: Aerial Map and Photos of BART Columns, that provides aerial view of the location of the columns, and individual pictures of each column.
B. Key Considerations
The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for designing and installing murals on up to 10 concrete pillars, and will need to consider the following:
1. Columns vary in height and circumference; each concrete column measures approximately 20 feet in height; each column has six sides; each side is 42 inches wide;
2. High visibility from multiple vantage points;
3. Materials used must be suitable for concrete and long-term outdoor durability due to exposure to extreme weather conditions (i.e., sun, rain, cold, etc.); and
4. Columns are publicly accessible and located along high pedestrian and traffic corridors and are vulnerable to vandalism, graffiti, and other forms of damage.
In addition, the selected artists must be able to comply with, but are not limited to, the following requirements:
1. Apply appropriate anti-graffiti coatings and protective finishes to preserve the mural;
2. Adhere to all BART safety, operational, and design guidelines;
3. Safely perform work within an active park and transit environment;
4. Provide and maintain all required insurance coverage for themselves and, if applicable, their artist team;
5. Comply with all applicable federal, state, and local environmental regulations, as well as Cal/OSHA (California Division of Occupational Safety and Health) standards and safety requirements;
6. Meet all applicable City of Union City and BART requirements, including required permits, certifications, meetings, and trainings, as appropriate; and
7. Comply with prevailing wage obligations as provided for in Sections 1771- 1774 of the Labor Code.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 9 IV. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The City has developed a general scope of services identifying the tasks the selected artist or artist team will be expected to perform under this project:
• Develop a project work plan with proposed deliverables and timeline. • Develop a conceptual design for multiple columns;
• Participate in a structured design review and approval process; • Collaborate with project stakeholders, including Union City staff, BART representatives, and community members, as appropriate; • Incorporate input from community engagement efforts into the design; • Prepare final design files and materials specifications; • Determine a project budget that includes staff, materials, equipment, and other related expenses;
• Ensure the final designs comply with BART Arts Program Guidelines; • Demonstrate capacity and experience adhering to state and local safety and environmental guidelines and requirements, as appropriate; and • Fabricate and install the artwork within the approved budget and timeline.
V. BUDGET
Union City is allocating a total budget of up to $150,000, for the design and installation of artwork for up to 10 BART columns, with an estimated budget of approximately $15,000 per column. The City anticipates awarding individual contracts to an artist, artist team, or multiple artist teams, with each contract not to exceed $75,000. However, based on the submittals the City may reconsider final contract award amounts.
The project budget is inclusive of all anticipated costs associated with the painting of the murals, including but not limited to:
• Artist design adjustments fee, if applicable;
• Presentations before BART, the City of Union City Arts and Culture Commission and City Council, and community members;
• Materials and supplies;
• Equipment (e.g., lifts, scaffolding, safety tape, temporary fencing, etc.); • Storage of materials and equipment, if applicable;
• Project staff wages (e.g., primary artist, artist teams, assistants, subcontractors, etc.). City of Union City contractors must meet prevailing wage obligations as provided for in Sections 1771-1774 of the Labor Code;
• Travel, if applicable;
• BART permits and other related requirements, as applicable; • Anti-graffiti coating to protect the murals; and
• Union City business license.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 10 Note: The City of Union City will assume responsibility for, but not limited to; column cleaning and preparation and pedestrian, traffic, and environmental control plans for installation of the murals.
Final contract amounts will be based on the total number of columns assigned to each artist or artist team, the project scope, and anticipated efficiencies related to materials, equipment, project management, and installation. The budget and scope of work will be negotiated with the selected artist(s) following approval by the City Council.
VI. RFQ REQUIREMENTS
Given the breadth, scope, and complexity of the City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project RFQ, this project is best suited for mid-career artists or artist teams with demonstrated experience in designing and completing large-scale art or mural commissions in active civic or public-facing environments, including transit infrastructure, parks, streetscapes, commercial buildings, educational campuses, or other high-traffic public settings. Applicants should be knowledgeable of and experienced in the logistical, operational, and safety requirements associated with large-scale mural production, including the use of lifts, scaffolding, and other sitespecific equipment.
Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:
• Artists must be 18 years of age or older;
o Individuals under 18 years of age are not eligible to apply for this RFQ and/or participate in on-site painting or installation activities. • Artists may apply as an individual artist or as part of a collaborative team with a designated lead artist; however, applicants may not submit multiple applications or participate in more than one RFQ application;
• Applicants may be local or regional artists and artist teams; and • Mid-career artists or artist teams are those with a minimum of five years of demonstrated experience in completing large-scale public or private art or mural commissions.
The City of Union City encourages applications from artists of diverse backgrounds, including those who have been historically underrepresented in public art opportunities.
Preference may be given to:
• Artists with a connection to the Decoto community, Union City, or the surrounding region;
• Artists with demonstrated experience in public art or mural installation of a similar scale and complexity; and/or
• Artists with demonstrated experience working in community-engaged or collaborative contexts.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 11 If you do not meet the RFQ requirement,
there is still an opportunity to showcase your art!
Prospective applicants that do not meet the requirements for the BART Transit Column Mural Project RFQ, are invited to learn more about the Utility Box Mural Art Project.
Union City community members have an opportunity to design and place a mural on utility boxes, no experience required. Information about the Utility Box Mural Art Project is available on City of Union City website. https://www.unioncityca.gov VII. RFQ APPLICANT INFORMATION SESSIONS
The City of Union City will host two virtual information sessions for prospective RFQ applicants. This will be an opportunity to review all elements of the RFQ application material and process, as well as provide dedicated time for questions and answers.
While attendance at the information sessions is not required, it is strongly encouraged.
RFQ applicants can attend one of the two sessions; the same information will be presented in both.
The two information sessions scheduled for prospective RFQ applicants are as follows:
1) Date/time: October 28, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.; and 2) Date/Time: October 29, 2026, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Advance registration is required to attend the virtual information sessions. Once the registration is received, prospective applicants will receive the virtual meeting log-in information. Please register by October 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. to attend one of the virtual information sessions. To register please click on the link below: will include link here
A. RFQ Application Question and Answer Period
RFQ applicants can submit questions during the two scheduled information sessions. In addition, questions about the RFQ after the information sessions will only be accepted by email. Please email RFQ questions to:
[email protected]
Questions will be accepted from October 30, 2026 – November 9, 2026. The City will issue an Addendum no later than November 16, 2026, and will respond to all questions received by the deadline. Responses to questions received during the information sessions and via email will be shared on the City of Union City, BART Mural Project website www.unioncity.org/967/BART-Mural-Project. It is the responsibility of the applicants to review the City’s website for updates.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 12 VIII. RFQ APPLICATION ELEMENTS
All proposals, and material contained therein, shall be considered public documents and as such are subject to inspection under the California Public Records Act (Gov. Code §7920.000 et seq.). Preparation and submission of the RFQ, and if invited, the RFP are solely the responsibility of the applicant. The City shall not bear any cost or reimbursement associated with its preparation.
A. RFQ Application Required Elements
All RFQ applicants must complete and submit all elements of the application as described in Section 1 through 5, as outlined in pages 11 - 14.
Word counts below indicate the maximum allowable length for each response.
Applicants are encouraged to respond clearly and concisely.
Section 1. Cover Page, Applicant Information
Complete the online cover page that includes the following: name of contact person, applicant’s/artist’s name, if different from the contact person’s name, mailing address, phone number, email address, and website address, as appropriate.
Responses to the following are required:
a. Indicate if you are applying as a sole artist or as an artist team. i. If part of an artist team, identify the lead artist and the number of total individuals that will work on this project.
b. Introduce yourself and/or your team, and identify the lead artist, as appropriate. (200 words max.)
c. Share what interests you about this project. (200 words max.) d. Describe your connection, if any, with the Decoto community and/or to Union City in general, and/or to the surrounding region. (200 words max.) e. If you are awarded a contract for this project, can you:
i. Provide proof of insurance coverage?
ii. Provide or obtain a business license in the City of Union City? iii. Meet Union City Contract Standard requirements, processes, and guidelines.
Section 2. Statement of Qualifications and Experience
Narrative responses are required for each of the prompts below. a. Describe how your experience demonstrates your qualifications for this project. Include the number of relevant years of experience and examples of public art or mural projects of similar scale, complexity, and your role in their successful completion. (300 words max.)
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 13 b. Share relevant lived experiences that will inform your approach to this project. (300 words max.)
c. Explain why you believe you or your team are a strong fit for this project. (300 words max.)
d. Describe how you have incorporated community voice, engagement, or stakeholder input into previous projects. Include any obstacles that you successfully addressed with a previous project(s). Reference specific examples from your portfolio and explain how community input informed the final artwork. (300 words max.)
Section 3. Artist(s) Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
RFQ applicants must submit a current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining their professional experience and accomplishments as an artist. If applying as a team, please identify a lead artist and the names of each individual and their role on this project. All résumés or CVs should include the artist’s name, phone number, email address, and relevant experience. Each team member must submit an individual résumé or CV (2 pages max. for each résumé and CV). Résumés and CVs will be submitted as an attachment. No word count limit.
Section 4. Portfolio of Work
RFQ applicants will submit portfolio samples that represent the work of the lead artist. Applicants are required to submit at minimum three completed projects, but no more than five. Projects completed within the past five years are preferred; however, for large-scale public art projects, applicants may include projects completed within the past 10 years.
Portfolio guidelines and image requirements:
• Work should demonstrate experience relevant to public-facing and outdoor environments.
• Artwork should be appropriate for diverse public audiences. • Submissions must represent original work by the applicant. • If work was created as part of a team, clearly describe your role in the project (image list).
• Images submitted should be in color.
• Maximum of two images per project; each image must be labeled.
For each project, include an image list with the following:
a. Artist’s name;
b. Title of the project;
c. Combine the two images for each project into one file (one file upload for each) and submit as a PDF or JPEG;
d. Location and address of where the project is situated; e. Indicate whether each project was commissioned by a public agency or private entity and identify the commissioning organization; REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 14 f. Year it was completed;
g. Medium; and
h. Brief description of the project and budget. (150 words max.) PLEASE NOTE: This is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Do not submit design proposals for this project at this stage.
Section 5. References
Applicants shall provide three professional references from clients or organizations that have commissioned or contracted with the artist or artist team for a public art project within the past five years. References should be able to speak to the artist's qualifications, professionalism, project management, and overall performance. The City of Union City reserves the right to contact any of the organizations or individuals listed as a reference. The references will be contacted only if the applicant is invited to submit an RFP.
For each reference, provide the following:
a. Name of the contact person that can provide reference; b. Contact information: email, phone number, and address; c. Title and organization/company, if appropriate;
d. The nature of your relationship;
e. The project that you worked on, which they can speak on, if appropriate; and f. Provide the names of team members that worked on the referenced project, who will also be assigned to this project, if appropriate.
IX. RFQ SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINE
RFQ applicants must complete and submit the required Sections 1 - 5, as outlined on pages 11 - 14, through the City of Union City online portal using the link below: will include link here:
RFQ Application Submittal Deadline: All required RFQ application sections must be completed and submitted by 12:00 p.m. (Noon) on November 30, 2026. Incomplete and late applications will not be reviewed and evaluated.
Upon receipt of your application submission, you will receive an email confirmation.
If you experience technical challenges with submitting the RFQ application through the online portal you may contact Union City staff, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., by emailing: [email protected] to share your concerns.
X. RFQ EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PROCESS
Given the scope, complexity, and significance of this project, the artist selection process will consist of two phases: a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) followed by a Request for REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 15 Proposals (RFP). This two-phase process is designed to identify the most qualified and suitable artist(s) or artist team(s) for the project.
A. Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Open call for all eligible and qualified artist(s).
1. Interested artist(s) shall demonstrate they meet the minimum requirements and technical experience and capacity as described in this document.
2. All submittals received by the specified deadline will be reviewed for completeness. Those applications deemed incomplete will not be shared with the review panel.
3. A review panel, composed of City staff, BART representatives, and arts professionals, will evaluate each RFQ application using a 100-point rubric to ensure the applicant meets the minimum requirements, has submitted all required documents, and has clearly articulated their experience.
4. The top qualified artist(s) or artist teams receiving a score of 75 points or higher on their RFQ submission will be invited to submit a design proposal as part of the final Request for Proposals (RFP) phase.
5. All RFQ applicants will be notified of the status of their submission and whether they have been selected to advance to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase.
6. RFQ applicants deemed qualified and receiving a score of 75 points and above may be placed on the qualified mural artist vendor pool for future Union City projects, until June 30, 2032.
7. RFQ applicants that may deemed not qualified for this project, and/or receive a score of 74 points or less may be placed on the qualified mural artist vendor pool for future Union City projects, until June 30, 2032.
B. RFQ Application Review and Evaluation Criteria
RFQ application and materials submitted will be reviewed and evaluated using a 100-point rubric. The rubric below outlines the evaluation criteria and the maximum points assigned to each section of the application.
Requests for Qualifications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Description Possible Points
Artistic Experience and Technical Capacity: Demonstrated artistic experience, originality, visual impact, and overall technical capacity of the applicant. The panel will consider the consistency, technical skills, creativity, and professional caliber of submitted work samples.
Materials Reviewed:
• Statement of Qualifications and Experience
• Portfolio of Work (including Image List)
• Resume/CV
20 REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 16 Experience with Similar Scale, Complexity, and Public-Facing Projects:
Demonstrated experience successfully completing projects of similar scale, complexity, and visibility, particularly in civic, community, transit, park, educational, or other public-facing environments. Consideration will also be given to project management experience, technical capabilities, and experience working safely within active public spaces.
Materials Reviewed:
• Statement of Qualifications and Experience
• Resume/CV
• Portfolio of Work
• References
30 Experience with Community-Centered Projects and Overall Capacity: Demonstrated ability to work in community-informed environments and to incorporate community voice, stakeholder input, and collaborative processes into artistic practice. The panel will consider examples of previous community-engaged projects and the applicant's ability to balance artistic vision with community interests.
Materials Reviewed:
• Statement of Qualifications and Experience
• Portfolio of Work
• References
30 Experience with Collaboration, Cultural Responsiveness, and Local Context: Demonstrated collaborative approach, cultural sensitivity, and experience working with diverse communities, public agencies, project partners, and stakeholders. Consideration may also be given to an applicant's connection to Decoto, Union City, or the surrounding region.
Materials Reviewed:
• Statement of Qualifications and Experience
• References
20 TOTAL 100
XI. REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
After a thorough review and scoring of all submitted RFQ applications, the top qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase. The purpose of this phase is to identify the artists or artist teams whose proposals best respond to the project vision and goals, the priorities and themes identified through the community engagement process, and BART Arts Program Guidelines. As well as demonstrate artistic excellence, technical capacity, feasibility, and long-term durability.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 17 The RFP candidates will be invited to develop and submit a design proposal and to attend two community forums. Union City will provide a $2,000.00 stipend to each of the selected RFP candidates. The stipends are separate and will not be deducted from the project budget.
A. Overview of RFP Requirements
A complete description of the RFP requirements, evaluation process, and submission instructions are included in Exhibit E: City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project Request for Proposals (RFP). The following sections are a brief overview of the RFP process.
Artists selected to advance to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase will be asked to develop a site-specific mural proposal that demonstrates their artistic vision, technical approach, and ability to successfully execute a project of this scale.
RFP submissions will require the following:
1. Design Narrative – Narrative description of the artistic design and concept and response to the project goals, the Community Report, surrounding community, and the BART Arts Program Guidelines.
2. Design Proposal – A site rendering, that includes individual renderings of each assigned column, a written concept narrative, and a proposed color palette.
3. Materials and Technical Approach – Narrative description of the proposed materials, paint systems, and installation methods.
4. Project Work Plan – Narrative description of the major milestones with timeline, from contract execution through installation.
5. Project Budget – Detailed project budget that includes all anticipated costs.
6. Maintenance Statement – Narrative description of the anticipated maintenance requirements, expected durability, and the materials, coatings, and application techniques that will be used to achieve a minimum mural lifespan of five years under normal outdoor conditions.
B. RFP Application and Design Review and Evaluation Criteria Upon submission, proposals will be evaluated by the same RFQ review panel. Each design proposal will be evaluated by using a 100-point system that combines professional review and community input. The review panel will evaluate each proposal based on artistic excellence, responsiveness to community-identified themes, alignment with BART’s art design guidelines and site context, feasibility, and the quality of the presentation. The panel's evaluation will account for 50 points of the total score. In addition, community members will be invited to attend a public presentation where RFP candidates/artists or artist teams will present their design proposals. Community members will have an opportunity to provide input from March 13 – March 31, 2027, which will account for the remaining 50 points of the total score.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 18 Following the evaluation process, proposals will be ranked based on their combined final scores. In addition to the rankings, the City will consider the overall project goals, the quality of the proposals, and the approach that best serves the interests of the City and the community. The City also reserves the right to consider additional factors, including, but not limited to, site suitability, constructability, technical feasibility, durability, appropriateness of proposed materials, long-term maintenance considerations, and compliance with all project requirements.
Based on the final evaluation, the City may recommend awarding the commission to a single artist or artist team, or to multiple artists or artist teams, as determined to be in the best interest of the project.
City staff will forward the recommended artist(s) or artist team(s) to BART and the Union City Arts and Culture Commission and the City Council for review and final approval. The City Council reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to reject the recommended artist(s) or artist team(s).
RFP materials will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
CATEGORY POSSIBLE POINTS
Artistic Excellence and Visual Impact 10
Responsiveness to Community Themes 10
Alignment with BART Art Guidelines and
Site Context
10 Feasibility and Implementation Readiness 10
Community Engagement Approach and Presentation 10
Community Input and Feedback 50
TOTAL 100
C. Contract Award
Upon final City Council approval, the City will enter into a Professional Services Agreement with the selected artist(s). City staff, BART representatives, and the project consultant will work collaboratively with the selected artist(s) to finalize the mural design, scope of services, budget, schedule, and allocation of mural columns.
The selection process will be finalized when a contract is executed. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to negotiate specific requirements and costs using the selected proposal as a basis, and to waive all irregularities to choose the artist(s) which, in the City’s opinion, best serve the City’s and community’s interests. Selected artists and/or artist teams must demonstrate the ability to adhere to City of Union City contracting requirements, including but not limited to prevailing wage obligations as provided for in Sections 1771-1774 of the REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ): City of Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project 19 Labor Code. Refer to Exhibit F: Union City Standard Contract for contract requirements, terms, and invoicing process. Qualified RFQ and RFP candidates not selected for the Union City BART Transit Column Mural Project will be included in the Qualified Mural Artist Vendor Pool for future Union City projects, until June 30, 2032.