RFQ Permanant Public Art: HQ Terrazzo Floor and Entryway Plaza at Reno-Tahoe International Airport

The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) Arts at the Airport Program seeks to commission a professional visual artist, or artist team, to design, create, and install site-specific interior terrazzo floor and exterior concrete artwork(s) to be located at the new RTAA Headquarters building and Police Station, part of Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) property.  This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the Airport. 

NOTE: DEADLINE for applications is 12/17/25 at 2pm PST. Applications received in both CallforEntry and NGEM after this time will not be considered.

​​​The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) Arts at the Airport Program seeks to commission a professional visual artist, or artist team, to design, create, and install site-specific interior terrazzo floor and exterior concrete artwork(s) to be located at the new RTAA Headquarters building and Police Station, part of Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) property.  This artwork will be thematic, public-facing, and part of the permanent collection at the Airport. 

About The HQ

The HQ, a new four-story, 62,000-square-foot building, will house both the airport police station and administrative campus for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.  The building will serve as the headquarters for all police operations, public meetings, and essential business management functions of the RTAA.  The $76 million facility is designed to accommodate the airport’s expansion and staffing needs for the next 20 years. 

Learn more about the Police and Airport Authority Headquarters here: https://www.renoairport.com/morerno/police-rtaa-headquarters/ 

Click on "View Site Details" above for pdf visuals of the locations. The project site for the Artwork can be viewed in more detail via NGEM download: RFQ #25/26-04, Attachment B – Site Maps & Drawings.

 Artwork Themes: 

Incorporate the RTAA’s Modern Mountain design theme and Exterior Improvements Concepts & Guidelines: https://www.renoairport.com/doing-business/construction-design/.  The selected Respondent’s artwork will be subject to the RTAA’s design theme, concepts, and guidelines. 

Coordinate with the established names of the first floor’s conference rooms: the “Lake Tahoe” and “Truckee River” rooms. 

Speaks to the spirit, culture, striking landscapes, and/or people of Northern Nevada. 

Embodies the region’s natural features including lakes, rivers, mountains, and other distinct characteristics such as Nevada’s legacy as the “Battle Born State” and/or its rich aviation history. 

Artwork Goals: 

• Enliven the space. 

• Create a welcoming moment for employees, police officers, board members, and guests. 

• Foster an authentic sense of place uniquely tied to Northern Nevada. 

• Enhance the workspace experience. 

• Connect the exterior and interior areas through themes, design, pattern, or colors. 

The Artwork should… 

• Be placed in the most visible location. 

• Be durable for all weather conditions. 

• Be low maintenance. 

• Be appropriate for all employees, staff, police officers, travelers, and guests. 

• Comply with any applicable safety regulations. 

• Comply with Building code requirements for floor coverings, including transitions to adjacent floor types. 

• Conform to the National Terrazzo & Mosaic Association (NTMA) guide specification for Epoxy Terrazzo. 

• The selected sealer must meet ANSI A326.3 Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF) of ≥ 0.42. 

• The total install must meet self-extinguishing flammability requirements as outlined in ASTM D635 and Part 2 Section 2.01(B)(1)(a) of the NTMA 09 66 23.16 guide specifications. 

• Comply with FAA regulations, as required. 

• Follow established building themes. 

• Reinforce artwork goals. 

The Artwork should NOT… 

• Impact circulation, police activities, or employee workflow. 

• Compete with or cover existing artwork elements or signage. 

• Be designed or located in spaces that may be covered by furniture, walk-off mats, or other design elements. 

The Artwork could… 

• Match exterior and interior components and design iconography.  Note: Lobby finishes will be reviewed with the design team and the selected Artist and updated, if needed, to complete the art installation. 

• Integrate layers of design elements that celebrate and reflect the natural beauty and distinct characteristics of the region. 

• Incorporate artwork within seating elements (exterior entry/patio area). 

• Use a combination of design elements, such as interior terrazzo, exterior mosaic, concrete staining, stamping, and/or inlays. 

Terrazzo Installation Notes:

3/8” Thick Epoxy-Resin Terrazzo 

No structural concrete slab-on-grade depression will be provided for epoxy-based terrazzo product. 

System shall be approximately 3/8” thick and must align with other flooring, entry lobby walk-off mat, and all door thresholds. 

A crack suppression membrane shall be required as part of the terrazzo system. 

Temperature control will be necessary during terrazzo installation; fluctuations in temperature may cause cracking. 

PLEASE NOTE: the design and installation timeline for interior terrazzo is expedited. 

Project Criteria & Limitations 

Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) is open around the clock, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  All airport/airline operations will continue throughout the construction period; therefore, artwork creation, execution, and installation times may be specific and limited.  The selected Artist or team will be required to submit a mobilization plan designed to address the implementation of the final artwork. The selected Artist or team will also be required to closely coordinate with the HQ General Contractor, Clark/Sullivan Construction, throughout the pre-mobilization and installation process. Art will be installed on an active construction jobsite, and Artist or team will be required to comply with jobsite safety requirements. 

The RTAA’s Arts at the Airport program commission locations and budget are as follows: 

 HQ Artwork Locations: 1,198 square feet of terrazzo floor in the interior entrance area AND 1,991 square feet of concrete at the exterior entrance plaza. 

Budget: up to $200,000, all inclusive. 

Budget includes, but is not limited to, design fees, travel, mileage, per diem, engineering, fabrication, supplies, material costs, meeting and administration hours, labor, artist fees, legal review fees, approval by a Nevada-licensed engineer, permits, licenses, lighting, equipment rentals, delivery/shipping, storage, documentation, installation, usage, and licensing. 

INSTRUCTIONS

Please follow each step of the process. Incomplete Submittals will be deemed non-responsive and will not receive further consideration. See RFQ #25/26-04 Submittal Requirements for further details.

Step 1: All applicants MUST register as a Supplier with Nevada Government eMarketplace (NGEM) website: https://nevada.ionwave.net/

Watch the “How to” video or download PDF instructions for step-by-step instructions: https://www.renoairport.com/doing-business/solicitation-opportunities/

Complete each form in Attachment A – Artist Certifications and upload the entire package to NGEM https://nevada.ionwave.net/

Step 2: Upload application materials to CallforEntry.org

Create a free artist profile at https://www.callforentry.org/ (CaFÉ). For assistance setting up your profile, visit https://www.callforentry.org/artist-help-cafe/.

APPLICATION MATERIALS required via CallforEntry.org

1.Artist Statement/Team Bio 

Introduce yourself and/or your team.

2. Letter of Interest  

• Clearly describe your interest in the Project and how you/your team will be able to contribute to its success. 

• Explain how your art practice is connected to Northern Nevada, Reno, Lake Tahoe, or aviation.

• Articulate your interest and/or experience in public art design, fabrication, and/or project collaboration. 

• Summarize your experience in developing and/or executing creative projects of this scope in the public realm at airports, in the Reno-Tahoe area (if applicable), public buildings, and beyond (i.e., site-specific art installations, interactive and participatory artwork, multi-media projects, creative placemaking events, festivals, etc.). 

3. Résumé/CV [Page Limit: 1 page for each team member] 

    • Artist’s Experience: List professional experience, including any commissions, residencies, touring, exhibitions, collaborations, and/or projects involving the community and work in the public sector. • Education: List educational background and training. • Experience working with organizations, institutions, and/or developers, locally and beyond. 

4. Portfolio Images

Video, Audio, or Multi-Media [Limit: 10 artwork examples] 

• A relevant body of work that demonstrates conceptual, aesthetic, and technical mastery in at least one (1) artistic medium. Attach JPG images, or links to a single audio and/or video file. • Include a description of each artwork with each uploaded portfolio image, and/or an image list, to include title, date/year, material(s), size, and budget. 

5. References • Three (3) professional references. 

• Only the references’ contact information is needed at this time; do not include letters of recommendation.

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TIMELINE

RFQ OPEN: November 5, 2025

Non-Mandatory Pre-Submittal Meeting: Friday November 14, 2025, 10am PST via Zoom.

Watch Recorded Zoom RFQ Infosession from 11/14/25 HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSG0zmekJDo

Written Questions due to RTAA: November 20, 2025

RTAA Written Responses to Questions via Addendum, posted to NGEM website: November 25, 2025

RFQ CLOSED/ Applications DUE: Wednesday December 17, 2025, 2pm PST (Pacific Time)

Notification to Semi-Finalists: Mid-January 2026

RFP Phase for Semi-Finalists: Mid January -late February 2026

RFP Proposal Presentations by Semi-Finalists (virtual) late February 2026

Issue of Notice if Intent to Award Finalist: Early March 2026

RTAA Board of Trustees/ Award Consideration April 9, 2026

Finalist Artwork Revision/Approvals: Spring 2026

Artwork Fabrication/Site Prep: Summer 2026

Estimated Artwork installation: NOTE: the terrazzo is an expedited timeline of August 2026 installation. 

Exterior concrete artwork, December 2026. 

Professional visual artists, or artist teams, at least 18 years of age are eligible.  Artists residing in the United States are eligible to submit.  Demonstrated experience creating commissioned public art and working with diverse community stakeholders is desired. 

Employees of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA), the RTAA Board of Trustees, appointed RTAA Art Advisory Committee members, RTAA tenants or their employees, airline employees, airline affiliate partner employees (including any appointees thereof), and each of their respective consultants, contractors, employees, and subcontractors are ineligible to submit a response to this solicitation. 

The RTAA, in its sole discretion, will determine if a Respondent is qualified and will base its decision on the information included in the Respondent’s Submittal as well as on the RTAA’s own investigations.  The RTAA has established the following minimum qualifications that the Prospective Artist should meet in order to be considered a qualified Respondent.