Request for Proposals - Livermorium Plaza Utility Box Murals

The City of Livermore is seeking proposals from qualified artists or muralists (Artist) to install murals on three utility boxes located at Livermorium Plaza at 116 S. Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550. The sides facing Locanda Wine Bar will have a wine-country theme, while the side facing the plaza will have a science or Livermorium-theme. Entry is open to professional artists who have completed outdoor murals. Artists may propose art for one or more utility boxes. The City may elect to use different artists for different portions of the project.  Selected artists will design and install the murals. All artworks must be original designs and suitable for viewing by all ages. The total budget for this project is not-to-exceed $3,500.

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(...

The City of Livermore is seeking proposals from qualified artists or muralists (Artist) to install murals on three utility boxes located at Livermorium Plaza at 116 S. Livermore Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550. The sides facing Locanda Wine Bar will have a wine-country theme, while the side facing the plaza will have a science or Livermorium-theme. Entry is open to professional artists who have completed outdoor murals. Artists may propose art for one or more utility boxes. The City may elect to use different artists for different portions of the project.  Selected artists will design and install the murals. All artworks must be original designs and suitable for viewing by all ages. The total budget for this project is not-to-exceed $3,500.

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(s) and the proposal process (including selection).

Deadline to submit proposals: May 29, at 10:59 p.m. PST

Timeline:

RFP Opens: May 11, 2026
RFP Closes: May 29, 2026
Review of Proposals by Ad Hoc Committee: June 1 – June 10, 2026
Full Commission Review: June 23, 2026
Selection and Agreement Processing: June 24 – July 7, 2026
Installation Begins: July 10, 2026
Mural Completion Deadline: July 31, 2026
Unveiling or Dedication: August 10, 2026 (approx.)


I.            DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

The utility boxes located at Livermorium Plaza have the following sizes:

·         Light green utility box facing into the Plaza – 58” (H) x 21” (W) x 12” (D)
·         Gray utility box behind the light green box facing Locanda – 60” (H) x 20” (W) x 14” (D)
·         Gray middle utility box – 60” (H) x 36” (W) x 24” (D)
·         Chrome utility box – 38” (H) on rear x 32” (H) in front, x 16.25” (W) x 17.5 (D)

Please note that markings and protruding section on the front of utility box cannot be painted.  It is recommended that interested artists visit the site to see the unique layout and dimensions in person prior to submitting a proposal.

Mural installation will require several treatments and sequential applications of paint to complete the project — (1) sanding, (2) primer, (3) paint with acrylics, and (4) finishing with an anti-graffiti clear coat. The boxes are visible to pedestrian, automobile, and other passing traffic. For reference, please see attached picture of the utility boxes. 

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/s showing the front, sides, and top of the utility box. (Submissions may be hand-drawn or computer generated)
·         A statement of interest (2,000 characters maximum) that describes why you are interested in painting the Livermorium Plaza utility boxes, your experience working on public art projects, and how your mural-art will transform Livermorium Plaza and/or enliven the area.
·         All visuals including utility box 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 portion of the project for which you wish to submit a proposal for, and the total compensation you are requesting to complete this portion of the project.  Compensation includes the total cost of all services proposed and rendered including: creation of renderings or drawings, labor, materials, administrative costs, and wages for any artists supporting your proposed work.


Project Requirements

●       Artist/s are responsible for prepping and painting all four sides and the top of the utility box.  Artist(s) must use acrylic paint to cover the surfaces, 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 utility boxes are located in the elevated landscape area of the park. There is an uneven grade around the utility boxes consisting of concrete pads and a concrete bench; additionally, there is a surrounding soil landscape with plants, utility covers and sprinkler hose ends that protrude from the ground.
●       The art cannot restrict any vents or airflow through the boxes.  City maintenance crews must always be able to fully access the components inside the box.
●       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 selected utility box. 
●       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 a review by the Ad Hoc Committee (with input from City leadership and stakeholders) will be forwarded to the Commission for the Arts for review. The Commission will make a recommendation of the top artist(s) that will install the murals during their May 2026 Meeting.  Please note this is an open meeting and the public is invited to attend.  The City of Livermore is the final decision-making body for the selection of the artist.


Utility Box Mural Project Selection Criteria

●       The sides of the utility boxes facing Locanda Wine Bar will have a wine-country theme, while the three other sides, including that which faces the plaza, will have a science or Livermorium-theme.
●       The proposed mural must aesthetically enhance the surrounding environment, be contemporary in style and design, reflect the local identity when possible, and represent items and ideas that reflect Livermore’s cultural diversity 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 utility box location; 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 Utility Box 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 3” x 5” space).
●       The artist must leave a TBD space for a web link or QR code to be added later.
●       The expectation is that the Utility Box 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 the 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 - Purchase Order Sample (including City of Livermore Terms and Conditions)
Exhibit B - Insurance Requirements
Exhibit C - Pictures of the Utility Boxes
 

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

See above.

See above.