Call Detail
Bloomington Veterans Memorial
Entry Deadline: 3/12/20
Application Closed
Work Sample Requirements
Images | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 20
Total Samples | Minimum:Min. 1, Maximum:Max. 20
Call Type: Proposals
Eligibility: National
State: Minnesota

Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc. in partnership with the City of Bloomington invite experienced teams of artists, landscape architects, engineers, etc. to submit qualifications for the design and installation of a veterans memorial which will be strategically placed on the Bloomington Civic Plaza east lawn; a major focal point for the community’s civic and cultural life. The memorial will honor and pay tribute to people who served in all branches of military service.  It will be a place for remembrance, reflection and education as well as a site for larger events honoring people who served in the military.

Eligibility:

This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to experienced public artists, landscape architects and artist teams who have completed at least one commissioned outdoor memorial or historic monument with a budget of $300,000 or more in the past ten years. Applicants are welcome from the United States but should have an understanding of or experience with installations that address the climate and ecosystem specific to Minnesota and this site in particular. Finalists must have the ability to attend an in-person interview and presentation of design. 

 Final Project Budget:

The intended budget for this project is $700,000. This not-to-exceed total must cover all design modifications, fabrication, engineering, installation, foundations, infrastructure, site preparations, lighting, site visits, transporting of artwork, insurance, permit fees, and other related expenses including panels recognizing individual veterans. Artists may be asked to prepare versions of the project that illustrate the design possibilities at key fundraising benchmarks, should fundraising efforts result in a lower total budget. More information about the site will be made available to the finalists.

 RFQ deadline: March 12, 2020 12:00 PM CST

HOW TO APPLY?

Selection process

Step One: RFQ – Submit by March 12, 2020, 12:00 PM Central Standard Time

In addition to your contact information you will be asked to provide the following:

·       One-page letter describing interest in the project, approach to design and research as well as a statement addressing eligibility criteria.

·       One-page listing of three references of recently completed projects including at least one commissioned piece valued at $300,000 or more completed in the past ten years. Please include contact information and commissioned amount.

·       One-page listing of biographical information or resume. If you have multiple team members, please provide brief biographical information on each essential member but do not exceed one page.

·       Work Samples: up to 10 images of your recent projects (one of which should be for a commissioned piece valued at $300,000 or more which was completed in the past ten years). Please provide a brief description and final cost for each. Follow CaFE™ image requirements: JPEG format only, 1200 pixels on the longest side, less than 5 MB in size. Visit the CaFE Help Page , for more information on image requirements or for help resizing images.

Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

 Step Two: Selection of finalists – Notification by April 13, 2020

The submitted qualifications will be reviewed by a selection committee made up of Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc. board members, community leaders, city staff, and public art professionals. A selection of four finalists will be based on the following equally weighted criteria:

1.     Quality of letter of interest

2.     Quality and relevance of work samples

3.     Ability of artist/team to complete project (within budget and timeline) based on prior work experience

All applicants will receive notification of the panel’s decision by April 13, 2020

Step Three: Selection of artist/team to create Bloomington Veterans Memorial

Four finalists will be selected and scheduled to develop a design proposal and present it in person to the review panel the week of May 18, 2020. Each finalist/team will receive a $2,500 design stipend inclusive of any travel expenses.  The presentation of designs should include visuals in the form of a scale model, drawings, projected digital images, or a combination of formats. The presentation should also include a detailed description of how the design meets the needs of the project as well as a budget outlining how the proposed memorial will fit within budget parameters. A basic, digital design image and description will be requested and distributed to the panel ten (10) days prior to scheduled presentation. Specific information on the design presentation will be provided to the four finalists. The panel will consider the following equally weighted criteria when selecting the artist/team:

1.     Understanding and embodiment of the project description and goals;

2.     Ability to communicate design concepts clearly;

3.     Ability to work within design parameters;

4.     Past projects including those working with municipalities, communities and/or diverse groups of people;

5.     Understanding of the City of Bloomington, veterans, the diverse community and stakeholders; and

6.     Spirit of collaboration and amenable work ethic.

Notification of selected artist/team the week of June 6, 2020.  Following the design presentations, the City intends to commission one artist/team to complete the sculpture project with an all-inclusive intended budget of $700,000. However, the City retains the right to amend the budget or cancel the project subject to fundraising or other considerations, in the City’s sole discretion. The selected design will be featured in fundraising materials for the project. The anticipated installation date of the Veterans Memorial is the summer of 2021.

Veterans Memorial Timeline:            

 RFQ – Qualification Proposals Due:  March 12, 2020, 12:00 PM CST (online via CaFE™) Do not submit a project proposal or design at this time.

Four Finalists Selected: April 13, 2020

In-person Design Presentations by the Three Finalists: Week of May 18, 2020

Selection of Artist/Team:  Week of June 6, 2020

Installation of the Veterans Memorial:  Anticipated summer/fall, 2021

 WHERE AND WHY?

The Veterans Memorial Site

The site is in a prominent location on the east grounds of Bloomington Civic Plaza with convenient access to the building.  The west portion of the site could provide a place for quiet reflection and meditation that is “off the beaten path” but allows experience of a potential memorial from both the inside and outside of the building. While, on the other hand, the east portion of the site is highly activated and has the capacity to hold larger events, but may feel out of scale or exposed for a single person and could be disrupted by other events or activities.  This area would allow the memorial to harness energy from existing activities and to enhance them. The challenge will be balancing a more monumental memorial with a more experiential, educational approach.

The memorial should  to honor veterans but also convey broader themes and goals, of which five were identified by Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc.

1.               Honor and Pay Tribute

2.               Remembrance and Reflection

3.               Community Gathering and Events

4.               Historical and Education Elements

5.               Looking Forward and Future Growth

Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc. members were surveyed to rank the identified themes and goals. Honor and Pay Tribute was the top priority. Some comments about the themes included:

“. . .honoring and paying tribute to our service members is really a part of remembrance and reflection on their lives and sacrifices. . .the history of our nation and those who served it is a critical second element. . .”

“. . .we need to reflect on the honor and sacrifice of those who served and their loved ones. . .”

“History is vital to future generation.”

Honor

The highest goal of the memorial is to honor those who served in time of war and especially those who gave their lives serving their country. The design must convey this sacred mission of the memorial. The memorial should demonstrate the community’s commitment to their veterans who have made such great sacrifices.

 Reflection

Ranked closely to honor and tribute, this goal speaks to the reverence that the community wishes to convey to visitors to the memorial. Within the memorial space there should be a quiet place where one can reflect on the sacrifices that have been made for our country. This space is especially important for those who have close family or friends who have been affected by wars or conflicts that America has been drawn into.

 Community

Although the memorial most often may serve as a place of quiet reflection, the Committee felt it was important to provide a place for the community to gather to pay respect. This may take many forms, from Veteran’s Day commemorations to small gatherings to honoring a specific individual or event.

 Education

One of the critical missions of the memorial is to educate the visitor — to tell the story of how war effects everyone. Visitors to the memorial should gain an understanding of the sacrifices that have been made throughout American history; both on the war front and at home. The memorial can be a place that school groups or others may come to learn more about the commitments and sacrifices that have been made in defending the country.

 BLOOMINGTON CIVIC PLAZA MAP The Bloomington Veterans Memorial will be located on the east lawn of Bloomington Civic Plaza at 1800 West Old Shakopee Road and near the intersection of James Avenue and 98th Street. 

 STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?

We encourage interested applicants to learn more Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc. and the City of Bloomington, Minnesota by visiting https://www.bloomingtonmn.gov/coe/veterans-memorial-faq.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to inquire about any portion of the RFQ that is not fully understood or susceptible to more than one (1) interpretation. Written inquiries are required. Oral communications will not be accepted, except to confirm delivery of proposal or written correspondence.

All inquiries, questions, or clarifications must be submitted not later than March 5, 2020. Those inquiries, questions, or clarifications submitted after this date will not be answered. All inquiries will be responded to within five (5) business days.

Please do not ask Bloomington Remembers Veterans, Inc. board members or City staff questions, as information gathered from other sources may not reflect the correct position or interest and could result in disqualification.

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) addendum related to this RFQ will be updated as questions come in and can be found at  (update). Any other questions regarding this Request for Qualifications may be directed to the contact below prior to March 5, 2020.

Please direct questions to: Melissa Wurst-Persaud, Manager, Community Outreach and Engagement Division: mwurstpersaud@BloomingtonMN.gov

All questions concerning the RFQ must reference the page number, section heading, and paragraph. Questions may be submitted via email. Please place “Bloomington Veterans Memorial RFQ Question” in the subject line.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria