A.  WMATA ART IN TRANSIT PROGRAM (AIT)

AIT was created to provide artworks and performances at the Authority’s transit facilities to enhance public spaces and provide high-quality arts experiences for transit customers and the public. AIT is committed to working with artists, other arts professionals, architects, engineers, community representatives, and jurisdictional arts councils to develop projects that reflect the spirit and vitality of the arts and communities in the Metro service area. As part of its mission, AIT:
•  Utilizes the Authority transit environment as a place where customers and the public can enjoy the arts as a regular part of their daily lives.
•  Contributes to the reputation of the region as a place where art abounds, and where the artistic interests of its communities are recognized, valued and celebrated.
• Encourages public-private partnerships to support art projects that may not be achieved independently.
• Mitigates the impact of construction on surrounding communities by incorporating visual artwork into the preparation and building phases of new transit projects.
• Increases enthusiasm and support of the Authority and its interest in serving the public.
• Encourages ridership by deterring vandalism and increasing safety and security.

For information about WMATA’s Art in Transit Program, please visit https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/art-in-transit/

B.  ALEXANDRIA PUBLIC ART PROGRAM

Public art in Alexandria is about the city’s past, present and future. Public art will:
• Enrich the experience of Alexandria’s past by fostering exploration and generating dialogue about Alexandria’s multiple and many-layered stories and engaging the past in contemporary ways.
• Celebrate the spirit of Alexandria’s present, and shape the identity of Alexandria’s future by connecting people to art that enriches their lives, providing opportunities for people to have hands-on encounters with art, fostering conversation among people throughout the city, and creating whimsy and delight in everyday places.
• Shape the identity of Alexandria’s future by establishing a distinctive identity for Alexandria’s evolving communities, enhancing parks, gathering places and neighborhood focal points, and enhancing new infrastructure and community facilities.

INTRODUCTION:

AIT is working with the City of Alexandria Public Art Program to organize and facilitate an Art Selection Panel to select site-specific public artworks following the principles of Biophilic Design for the future Potomac Yard Metrorail Station on the Yellow and Blue Lines. The selected artworks will be the first in a US Transit system to introduce biophilic elements and provide credit towards LEED Transit accreditation of a Metrorail station. 

The project, part of the requirements associated with approval of the Development Special Use Permit (DSUP), is fully funded by the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
 

PART 1 – REQUESTS FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) AND GENERAL STATEMENT OF WORK:

The following is an RFQ for interested Artists/Artist teams who wish to be considered for a procurement that will include design, construction services, and installation associated with the realization of site-specific artworks at the locations identified in this RFQ.
 

A.  TWO-PHASE SELECTION PROCESS

The selection and creation of the Potomac Yard site-specific artwork will be procured utilizing a Two-Phase Selection Process. This selection process will be accomplished utilizing one solicitation covering both phases hereinafter referred to as Phase 1 and Phase 2.

The maximum budget for the site-specific public artwork is not to exceed $500,000 for the entire project; all inclusive of design (artist fee included), construction, and installation as well as other miscellaneous costs. The budget for artwork as outlined in this RFQ is subject to the availability of funds.

PHASE 1:

Requires Artists/Artist teams to prepare and submit Qualifications as appropriate for the scope of work and Qualifications Submittal requirements set forth in the solicitation. An Art Selection Panel led by AIT and the City of Alexandria, and comprising art and design professionals and community representatives, intends to select at least three (3) Artists/ Artist teams as determined by this RFQ’s evaluation criteria.

The three (3) selected Artists/Artist teams will receive a $2,000 design fee to prepare and submit a site-specific artwork proposal that will comply with the prescribed concepts. These Artists/Artist teams will then proceed to Phase 2 of the selection process.

PHASE 2:

AIT will invite the selected Artists/Artist teams whose qualifications are deemed acceptable to receive detailed contract information for the purpose of submitting site-specific, Phase 2 artwork proposals. The Authority expects the proposals to include all premiums required to complete the project on or ahead of the schedule listed in the present RFQ.

As part of the proposal, the Artists/Artist teams are expected to provide a site-specific design and estimated costs for engineering and architectural services, technical, professional, clerical and other services necessary as well as schedules required for the fabrication and installation to complete the artwork. The Artists/Artist teams’ experience and professional record should provide convincing evidence of ability to successfully complete the project as proposed.

The Art Selection Panel led by AIT will rank each site-specific artwork based on the evaluation criteria listed in this RFQ.
 

B.  CONTRACT AWARD

The Authority’s Office of Material and Procurement (PRMT) will enter into negotiations with the top ranked Artists/Artist teams to finalize the contract award process. If PRMT personnel are unable to reach agreement with the top ranked Artist/Artist Team, they will end negotiations and begin negotiations with the next ranked Artist/Artist Team.

The Authority reserves the rights to either award one single contract for both entrances of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station or one contract for each entrance as outlined in this RFQ should it be deemed in the Authority’s best interest.
 

PART 2 – POTOMAC YARD METRORAIL STATION PROJECT OVERVIEW:

Potomac Yard represents one of the most significant redevelopment opportunities for the City of Alexandria with the potential to achieve the vision for an urban mix of uses near transit system. The construction of a Metrorail Station has been the basis for transportation and land use planning for Potomac Yard for many years, most recently in the 2010 North Potomac Yard Small Area Plan and the 2008 Transportation Master Plan.

 A. ABOUT POTOMAC YARD METRORAIL STATION

1 -  Location

The proposed Potomac Yard Metrorail Station site is located approximately midway between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Braddock Road Stations along Metrorail's existing Blue and Yellow Lines. The area is bordered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the east and northeast, the Potomac Greens neighborhood to the south, and active CSX tracks, Potomac Avenue, and Potomac Yard Shopping Center to the west and northwest.

The Potomac Yard Metrorail Station will serve Station development, Moorefield Station development, and Brambleton.

2 -  Type of station

At-Grade with side platforms.

3 -  Additional information

The new Potomac Yard Metrorail Station will provide access to the Blue and Yellow lines of WMATA’s regional Metrorail system. In addition to the new Metrorail Station, the site will include accessory buildings within the Potomac Yard neighborhood, an entry pavilion and pedestrian bridges that connect the station to neighborhoods on the west side of the rail corridor.

The Potomac Yard Metrorail Station will provide a wide range of benefits for the City and surrounding community, some of which include:
• Walkable access to the regional heavy rail transportation system for neighborhoods in the northeast portion of the City
• Regional job market access to Potomac Yard area through the regional heavy rail transportation system
• Future significant growth in tax revenues for the City’s General Fund from real estate development near the new station
• Pedestrian and bicycle improvements
• Restoration of a protected wetland
• Landscape and hardscape improvements
• Public Art at the Metrorail Station

For more information about the Potomac Yard Metrorail Project, please visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/PotomacYardMetro
 

B.  ABOUT THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA

Alexandria, Virginia is a small historic seaport city of about 150,000 residents located on the Potomac River, minutes from Washington, D.C. It is best known for its historic Old Town, a nationally designated historic district founded in 1749 with beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture. Alexandria is also home to federal agencies such as the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, the Defense Department and the headquarters of the National Science Foundation. Named a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2020 by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities 2020 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle.

C.  ABOUT THE LOCATION: POTOMAC YARD NORTH & NATIONAL LANDING

Encompassing North Potomac Yard in Alexandria, and Crystal City and the eastern portion of Pentagon City in Arlington, National Landing made its debut in November 2018 when both Amazon HQ2 and Virginia Tech Innovation Campus announced that they would make the newly branded area their home. Alexandria is excited to be home to the new VT Innovation Campus and all the opportunities it brings for new development and retail in Potomac Yard.  For more, please visit:  https://www.alexandriava.gov/potomacyard/default.aspx?id=46422
 

PART 3 – SITE-SPECIFIC PUBLIC ARTWORKS PARAMETERS AND GOALS:

The Authority has a history of, and expectation for design excellence and is seeking to obtain unique, memorable, and engaging site-specific, public artworks for the Potomac Yard Station. The Artist/Artist teams shall develop aesthetically attractive public artworks that capture the Authority’s mission and reflect the artistic, cultural and/or historical interests of the surrounding communities. Consideration shall be given to creative uses of materials, massing, scale, form, texture, and detailing. Artworks shall be visually attractive, innovative, as well as durable. The selected site-specific artworks should impart a sense of pride within the local community and provide a stimulating and attractive environment for the people who will experience the artworks on a daily basis.

The Art Selection Panel seeks a pool of applicants with a successful history of public art, experience with biophilia, and collaboration with public agencies and/or design build projects.

A.   ABOUT THE LEED PROCESS AND BIOPHILIC ART

1. LEED Transit

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at https://www.usgbc.org/. The LEED certification provides a way to reward projects for their use of strategies that put performance in context and help building owners and operators to be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. LEED certification is based on a set of rating systems such as design, construction, operation, and maintenance. The number of points achieved by projects pursuing LEED certification determines one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

Understanding the global importance of transportation and its tremendous potential for positive global impact and contribution to reducing the impact of climate change, USGBC recently developed LEED Transit certification standards for new transit stations. As part of the LEED Certification for the new Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, WMATA is seeking to fulfill some of the “Innovation in Design” credits through the commission of public artworks inspired/instructed by biophilic design.
 

2. Biophilia and Sustainability in Art

Public art can be a vehicle for and a means of expression of sustainable development. Through the implementation of a biophilic design for its public artworks at the Potomac Yard Station, WMATA seeks to improve the well-being of its customers.

As part of this RFQ, artists are invited to address our inherent need to experience and connect with nature by creating public artworks that provide visual access to and experience of natural features and processes, take into consideration local and regional themes such as the location of the station adjacent to the natural and cultural resources of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), which is a unit of the National Park System. To learn more about the GWMP and its biodiversity, see https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/index.htm

Indirect experience of nature in biophilic design can be expressed through the following elements:
•    Images of nature
•    Natural materials
•    Natural colors
•    Mobility and wayfinding
•    Cultural and ecological attachment to place
•    Simulating natural light and air
•    Naturalistic shapes and forms
•    Evoking nature
•    Information richness
•    Age, change, and the patina of time
•    Natural geometries
•    Biomimicry
 

B.  DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Selected finalists will be asked to consider the following principles when developing their design:
•    Adherence to the principles of Biophilic Design as defined in the 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design  (https://www.terrapinbrightgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/14-Patterns-of-Biophilic-Design-Terrapin-2014p.pdf)
•    Quality of the work and durability of materials
•    Enduring aesthetics
•    Site-specificity/Relationship to existing architectural, landscape, natural, and social features
                - Gateway or landmark to a traveler’s journey
                - Consideration of the site geography and history
                - Consideration of the Authority’s role and history
                - Relationship to other artworks in the vicinity
                - Honors and does not conflict with the existing architecture of the station
                 - Future development plans for the area
•    Appropriate scale/Artwork proportional to scale and volume of the space
•    Visibility and Public accessibility
•    Safety/Structural and surface soundness
•    Resistance to theft, vandalism, weathering and excessive maintenance
•    Low maintenance with minimal ongoing maintenance and operational costs
•    Space activation
•    Technical feasibility
•    Operational costs
•    Suitability for diverse public
•    Abides by principles of Universal Design

C.  SITE CONSIDERATIONS AND CHALLENGES      

WMATA has identified the following sites within the station as recommended potential locations for artworks. These sites have been identified so as to not conflict with the daily operation and activity of the station, create the best experience for the customers and the public once the station is completed, and allow for a better integration of the artwork within the existing structures.

The Artists/Artist Teams should carefully study the sites listed and illustrated below. *

Artists/Artist Teams are expected to provide design for metal screens overlay at the sites identified below.

* Note that dimensions of these spaces and additional information will be provided to semi-finalists selected to submit a design proposal.
 

1. North Pavilion

For the location at the North entrance pavilion shown below, the Artists/Artist Teams are asked to consider metal screens (perforated, laser cut, woven wire, or similar techniques) to be attached on the exterior of the elevator tower façade which is composed of glazed panels. The screens will be designed to be durable, made of lightweight materials, and offer a high level of transparency. The goal of the artwork is to provide a stimulating visual experience for the community and the customers as they enter and exit the station. (See attached Floor/Site Plan and Renderings)

Design Challenges and Requirements:
·  This section of the pavilion is open to the elements
·  A high level of transparency must be maintained
·  Visibility of all way finding signage must be maintained
·  Natural and artificial lighting must be taken into consideration

2. South Pavilion

As with the North pavilion, the Artists/Artist Teams are asked to consider metal screens (perforated, laser cut, woven wire, or similar techniques) to be attached on the exterior of the South entrance pavilion as shown below. The identified space for the artwork wraps the upper/mezzanine level on the west, south, and east, glazed façades of the pavilion. The screens will be designed to be durable, made of lightweight materials, and offer a high level of transparency. The goal of the artwork is to provide a stimulating visual experience for the community and the customers as they enter and exit the station.  (See attached Floor/Site Plan and Renderings)

Design Challenges and Requirements:
•  The upper level of the pavilion, between the glazing and the roof, is open to the elements
•  A high level of transparency must be maintained
•  Visibility of all way finding signage must be maintained
•  Natural and artificial lighting must be taken into consideration

D.  MATERIALS & MEDIA

All artworks considered must meet the Authority/IBC standards for fire retardation, safety, lifecycle requirements, materials and structural adequacy.
 

E. MAINTENANCE & DURABILITY

Semi-finalists will be expected to consider the issues of long-term conservation and maintenance of public art, along with timeline and budget. Public art projects should be fabricated of highly durable, low-maintenance materials. Semi-finalists are encouraged to consult with a professional conservator prior to the submission of a final proposal. Artists/Artist Teams proposals awarded contracts will be reviewed by the Authority and the Art Selection Panel including experts in Construction and Engineering to ensure conformity with the Authority’s standards of maintenance and durability, as well as ADA standards.
 

PART 4 - REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTALS:

Using CaFÉ, Artists/Artist Teams shall submit the following during each phase of the selection process:

Phase 1:

A. A Statement of Interest that clearly outlines the Artists/Artist Teams’ interest in the specificities of the present RFQ and experience working on similar projects (2000 characters maximum).

B. 1-2-page current résumé that highlights the Artists/Artist Teams’ professional accomplishments as they relate to the project. If applying as a team, please submit one résumé per team member. Résumés longer than 1-2 page will not be considered.

C. Up to 15 images and up to 5 videos (click here for list of acceptable upload-ready file formats) of previously completed artworks along with a one-page list of the images that must specify the following for each work of art:
•     title
•     media
•     location
•     budget, and
•     year created

D.  All documents must be submitted through CaFÉ.
 

Phase 2:

To prepare and submit a site-specific artwork proposal (the "Proposal"), which shall be sufficiently clear and detailed to enable the Authority and the Art Selection Panel to understand and evaluate it without assistance from the Artists/Artist Teams. The Proposal shall include:

A. Drawings/renderings to illustrate the proposed, site-specific Artwork and its integration into the Station. The location(s) of the Artwork and the sizes, materials, colors and finishes of the Artwork and, as applicable, of the Artwork site(s), including installation considerations, shall also be indicated. (Installation may be performed by Artists/Artist Teams and/or by a contractor; this will be determined during the design phase.)

B. A written explanation of the proposed Artwork and the design approach for integrating the Artwork into the Station. Include, as applicable, a general description of architectural, engineering, and other professional work which will be needed to implement the Proposal.

C. A detailed preliminary estimate of the total cost of the Artwork, which shall not exceed the Art in Transit budget, which is currently estimated at $500,000, including the Artist's fee under this Agreement. The artist fee must not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the proposed artwork budget.

D. The Artists/Artist Teams must detail their experience, and the experience of possible sub-contractor(s), on project(s) of similar size, complexity, and constraints and provide a list describing similar projects completed by the sub-contractor(s), within the last 5 years or currently in progress. Each list of projects shall include:
•  Name and location of project
•  Name of the owner
•  Name and phone number of contact person
•  Value of contract
•  Percentage of contract that was self-performed
•  General description of the project

Artists/Artist Teams are advised that the Authority reserves the right to contact any and all clients and agencies listed.

E. The cost estimate shall include, as applicable, Artist's fee and the following Artist/subcontractor/vendor costs: engineering, materials, fabrication, crating, storage, shipping to the Station, all insurance, installation, artist's supervision of the installation, and documentation. The cost estimate shall be supported by written estimates from vendors for all cost­significant (in WMATA's judgement) products/services. The Work includes survey, design, and construction of the Project as indicated in the Contract Documents for similar station, track, and ancillary work included in this RFQ.

Failure to submit any or all of the requested information may result in the rejection of the Artists/Artist Teams’ submission.
 

PART 5 – EVALUATION PROCEDURES

Each qualifying RFQ submission will be reviewed and evaluated individually by the Art Selection Panel and the Authority in accordance with procurement policy and procedures highlighted in this RFQ.

Qualifications will be evaluated by their strengths, weaknesses, and deficiencies against the evaluation factors. The Applicants shall describe in detail the means and methods of prosecuting the Work described in this Statement of Qualifications.

The Art Selection Panel will be using the following criteria to evaluate each Artist/Artist Team’s submission during Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the selection process:

Phase 1:
A. Completeness of the application
B. Artistic merit of body of work (such as national recognitions, awards, …)
C. Appropriateness of qualifications for the project
D. Strong conceptual skills with innovative and effective approaches demonstrated in other creative projects
E. Originality of approaches and methodologies used to convey meaning through art
F. Ability to design artwork that is sensitive to social, environmental, historical, and/or other relevant contexts
G. Ability to translate artistic concepts into materials that are appropriate for public spaces, taking into consideration maintenance, safety, and longevity
H. Demonstration of successful execution and completion of similar projects within the last 5 years.           
I. Experience with biophilia
J. Experience collaborating with public agencies and/or design build projects

•  Quality of the Work: High quality artwork is determined by recognized arts professionals such as curators, arts administrators and artists qualified to evaluate contemporary artist portfolios, credentials and/or proposals.

•  Site-specificity: An artist’s concept and the physical artwork are integrated into the project and should relate to the project site, its history, immediate landscape, urban fabric, and/or surrounding communities.

• Durability of Materials: Artworks in transit systems may be subject to a variety of harsh conditions including impact from pedestrian traffic, build-up of soot and grime, a range of climate conditions, and potential vandalism. Durable materials should be used to attain the optimum degree of maintainability and proven ability to withstand the challenging transit environment and specific environmental conditions of the area. Artwork should need minimum maintenance.

Phase 2:

The Art Selection Panel will review each site-specific design concept for its feasibility and convincing evidence of the Artists/Artist Teams’ ability to successfully complete the work as proposed.

The review of each of the proposed design concept will be based on the following criteria:

A. Artistic excellence, originality, and creativity of proposal
B. Relevance of the proposed design to the values, culture, and people of WMATA, the City of Alexandria, and the Potomac Yard site
C. Proposed design’s ability to activate or enhance public space
D. Soundness of materials
E. Suitability of the work for outdoor display, including its maintenance and conservation requirements
F. Potential for work to enrich and diversify WMATA and City of Alexandria public art collections
G. Ability and willingness to collaborate with WMATA staff, design and engineering professionals, stakeholders, and contractors
H. Project budget
I. Proposed Timeline
J. Knowledge of applicable zoning, construction, and design guidelines
K. Appropriateness of the scale of the artwork
L. How proposed design meets the site-specific artwork parameters and goals
 

PART 6 - PROJECT SOLICITATION SCHEDULE*
*WMATA reserves the right to adjust the timetable as necessary during this RFQ process.

The proposed solicitation schedule for this RFQ is as follows:

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT NO APPLICATION WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 1:00 PM EST ON MAY 14, 2021.

Phase 1 –
Request for Qualifications posted: April 15, 2021   
Request for Information Deadline: 1 week before RFQ closes
RFQ closed: May 14, 2021 (1:00 PM EST)
Qualifications Evaluation/Selection of semi-finalists: May 17, 2021- May 31, 2021

Phase 2 - 
Release of additional information for selected semi-finalists: May 31, 2021
Site-specific design proposal due date: July 2, 2021 (1:00 PM EST)
Semi-finalists interviews/presentations: Starting July 6, 2021
Projected decisions on awarded proposals: TBD
Anticipated date of project completion: Spring 2022
 

PART 7 – ELIGIBILITY

This RFQ is open to all artists with site-specific public art experience. Qualified artists will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation or age.
 

PART 8 – BUDGET

All finalists are expected to stay on budget and to complete work and installation in a set time frame to meet the deadlines of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station construction project. The budget is $500,000.
 

PART 9 - RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF WMATA

A.  WMATA reserves to itself all rights (which rights shall be exercisable by WMATA in its sole discretion) available to it under applicable law, including without limitation, the following, with or without cause and with or without notice:

1. The right to revise, amend, cancel, withdraw, postpone, or extend the RFQ in whole or in part at any time, without incurring any obligations or liabilities;
2. The right to issue a new RFQ;
3. The right to reject any submittals and responses received at any time;
4. The right to modify all dates set or projected in this RFQ;
5.  The right to terminate evaluations of responses received at any time;
6.  The right to suspend and terminate this RFQ, at any time;
7.  The right to waive or permit corrections to data submitted with any response to this RFQ;
8.  The right to issue addenda, supplements, and modifications to this RFQ;
9.  The right to permit submittal of addenda and supplements to data previously provided with any response to this RFQ;
10. The right to hold meetings and conduct discussions and correspondence with one or more of the Respondents responding to this RFQ to seek an improved understanding of the responses to the RFQ.

All questions shall be directed to the Contract Administrator, Mr. Robert Dixon, rdixon@wmata.com, by May 7, 2021. 

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria