Call Description

The City of Livermore is seeking proposals from qualified artists or muralists (Artist) to install a mural on the eastern elevation of the City’s new L Street Garage located at 50 S. L Street, Livermore, CA 94550. The project will have a “Fusion Ignition” theme based on Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s (LLNL) historic achievement in 2022. Entry is open to professional artists who have completed large-scale, outdoor murals. The selected artist will design and install the mural. All artworks must be original designs and suitable for viewing by all ages.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is intended to provide interested artists with general information regarding the scope of services expected for a Professional Services Agreement or Purchase Requisition (Agreement) to be awarded to a qualified artist and the proposal process (including selection).

Deadline to submit proposals: June 15, at 10:59 p.m. PST

Timeline:

RFP Opens: May 15, 2026
RFP Closes: June 15, 2026
Review of Proposals: June 16, 2026 – June 26, 2026
Selection and Agreement Processing: June 27 – July 10, 2026
Installation Begins: July 10, 2026
Mural Completion Deadline: August 14, 2026
Unveiling or Dedication: August 26, 2026

I.            DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The designated mural space located on the east elevation of the L Street Garage has the following dimensions and characteristics:

·         The mural area is 22’2” (H) by 23’5-3/4” (W).
·         The bottom of the mural area begins 10’5” from ground level.
·         The mural space currently is tan colored primer over a gray direct applied exterior finish system (DEFS).
·         Pre-installed lighting to illuminate the mural will shine from the bottom and top of the mural.

Mural installation will require several treatments and sequential applications of paint to complete the project — (1) cleaning, (2) primer, (3) paint with acrylics, and (4) finishing with an anti-graffiti clear coat. The mural space is visible to pedestrian, automobile, and other passing traffic. For reference, please see attached picture of the east elevation of the L Street Garage

II.            SCOPE OF SERVICES

The successful artist/s, in coordination with City staff, shall design and install the mural. Once an agreement is executed, the artist/s may not substitute the person providing the design and installation without the City’s written approval. 

III.             MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Application must be completed and submitted via the Café Art platform by the due date.

·         Concept drawing showing the scaled design (Submissions may be hand-drawn or computer generated).
·         A statement of interest (3,000 characters maximum) that describes why you are interested in painting the L Street Garage, your understanding of the scope and desired representation of “Fusion Ignition”, your experience working on public art projects, including large scale outdoor murals, and how your mural-art will enliven the area.
·         All visuals including drafts, proposals, and designs and examples of previous work must meet the online format required for uploading: (file type: JPG or PNG; Dimensions: Minimum 1920 pixels on the longest side; Resolution: 72 ppi/dpi)
·         A statement explaining the total compensation (in USD) you are proposing/requesting to complete this project.  Compensation includes the total cost of all services proposed and rendered including: creation of renderings or drawings, labor, materials, administrative costs, equipment and rentals, and wages for any artists supporting your proposed work.

Project Requirements

●       Artist/s are responsible for prepping and painting the entire designated surface.  Artist(s) must use paint to cover the surface, and an anti-graffiti clear coat must be applied to protect the art upon completion.
●       Artist/s and their assistants should exercise extra caution while working and should be aware that the mural surface is at an elevated height that will require specialized equipment to access. There is landscaping and an uneven grade around the foundation of the garage.
●       The garage is open to the public; special care shall be given to ensure that people and property are not impacted by work related to the project.
●       The art must meet the requirements of the Selection Criteria listed in this document (below).
●       All artists must sign a City of Livermore liability release before beginning work on the project.
●       Artists may be asked to attend a dedication ceremony after the completion of the work.

Artist Selection Process

All submitted proposals will be reviewed by City Staff to ensure completeness. The highest rated proposals, based on internal review (with input from City leadership and stakeholders), will be moved forward for consideration. The City of Livermore is the final decision-making body for the selection of the artist.

 L Street Garage Mural Project Selection Criteria 

●       The mural will have a “Fusion Ignition” theme that represents the science and innovation behind this achievement.  It is recommended that artists review publicly available information to inform their proposal.
●       Visual elements to consider in a proposal are:

o   192 laser beams, housed in a building the size of a football stadium, converging on a target the size of a pencil eraser
o   Immense light and pressure at a cosmic scale: the reaction was hotter than the center of the sun and denser than the core of Jupiter
o   Overcoming atomic obstacles: a diagram of the fusion reaction at the atomic level
o   A symbolic representation of more fusion energy being produced by the reaction than the laser energy needed to start it - the building block of an abundant energy future

●       The proposed mural must aesthetically enhance the surrounding environment, be contemporary in style and design, be a representation of the project theme (Fusion Ignition), reflect the local identity when possible, and represent items and ideas that reflect Livermore’s culture and unique sense of place.
●       The artwork shall not name specific people or politicians or endorse a political party, have religious references, or be otherwise obscene to the average person; applying contemporary community standards and shall not contain commercial messages or symbols. The artist must account for traffic patterns in the area; avoids use of paint colors that will cause unsafe driving conditions (reflective, neon, etc.).
●       The proposed art must be an original design.
●       The proposed art must not be identical to any murals already placed or to be placed in other similar public mural programs within 200 miles of Livermore.

Additional Information

●       The art may include the name of the artist/s (no larger than a 1’ x 2’ space).
●       The artist must leave a TBD space for dedication.
●       The expectation is that the L Street Garage Mural will have a minimum 5 years expected lifespan.
●       The artwork is a long-term installation and will become City of Livermore property.
●       Artist/s must notify City Staff when their project is completed.
●       The artists may enlist assistants to help them complete the project; selected artists are responsible for the compensation of enlisted assistants and for ensuring their work meets all requirements stated within this RFP.
●       Artists will provide all materials for the mural. 

IV.         AWARD OF AGREEMENT

The selected artists or muralists shall provide the City with the following documents:

a.   Name, title, and email address of the authorized signatory to sign the City’s contract;
b.   A completed W-9 form;
c.   Insurance that meets the requirements; and
d.  An active City of Livermore business license.

In the event the selected artist or muralist fails to submit the documents to the City in a timely manner, the City may negotiate with another finalist or reject all proposals.  The City also reserves the right to award more than one agreement depending upon the qualifications and strength of the proposals, for all or a portion of the services offered. 

V.               CONFIDENTIALITY AND NON-DISCLOSURE

The City of Livermore recognizes that the proposals may include proprietary or confidential information. The City will take every reasonable precaution in protecting such information if it is clearly identified as proprietary or confidential on the page on which it appears. However, the City is subject to the California Public Records Act and must disclose records as required by the Act.

Proposals and pricing information submitted as a part of this RFP will not be returned. 

VI.               EXHIBITS 

The following exhibits are included in this Request for Proposals:

• Exhibit A – Agreement Sample (including City of Livermore Terms and Conditions)
• Exhibit B – Insurance Requirements
• Exhibit C – Building Mural Location and Dimensions Images

VII.                GENERAL CONDITIONS

 a.            This RFP does not commit the City of Livermore to execute a service agreement or purchase requisition. The City reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals if the City determines it is in the best interest of the City to do so.
b.            Proposals shall remain open, valid and subject to acceptance anytime within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days after the proposal due date and up to the end of the agreement period.
c.            The City reserves the right to issue addenda or amendments to this RFQ/RFP.
d.            To be considered, all proposals must be submitted in the manner set forth in this RFP. It is the artist/muralist’s responsibility to ensure that its proposal is submitted before the specified Submittal Deadline.
e.            This RFP does not commit the City to pay any costs incurred in the preparation of a proposal in response to this request artist or muralist agrees that all costs incurred in developing this proposal are the artist or muralist’s sole responsibility.
f.             The City reserves the right to award an agreement at this time for all or only some of the services requested.

VIII.       PROJECT ADMINISTRATION

Art Project Lead:        

Allen McFarland, Management Analyst II &
Commission for the Arts Staff Liaison
Library Services Department
arts@livermoreca.gov 

Additional Contact:  

Leng Kutil, Management Analyst I
Library Services Department
arts@livermoreca.gov

Application Requirements

See above.

Eligibility Criteria

See above.