PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SOUTH BERKELEY SENIOR CENTER

Location:	California
Posted:	Feb 21, 2026
Due:	Apr 27, 2026
Agency:	City of Berkeley
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	A - Research and development
Solicitation No:	26-11770-C
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

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REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Specification No. 26-11770- C

PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE OPENED AND READ PUBLICLY

RFQ Opens:

RFQ Questions Due:

RFQ Responses Posted:

RFQ Closes:

February 20, 2026

March 13, 2026 (at 5:00pm PT)

March 20, 2026

April 27, 2026 (at 5:00pm PT)

Applications Accepted Through Submittable: https://cityofberkeleyoed.submittable.com/submit

Proposals will not be accepted after the date and time stated above. Incomplete proposal or proposals that do not

conform to the requirements specified herein will not be considered. Issuance of the RFQ does not obligate the City

to award a contract, nor is the City liable for any costs incurred by the proposer in the preparation and submitting

proposals for the subject work. The act of submitting a proposal is a declaration that the proposer has read the RFQ

and understands all the requirements and conditions.

PROJECT SUMMARY

SOUTH BERKELEY SENIOR CENTER

The Judge Henry Ramsey Jr. South Berkeley Senior Center, located at 2939 Ellis Street, has been a vital

community hub since opening in 1979 as Berkeley’s first senior center. Established through the leadership of Judge

Henry Ramsey Jr. - a lawyer, educator, veteran, civil rights leader, and City Councilmember - the center reflects his

vision of creating spaces where older adults could connect, engage, and access essential services. Situated in South

Berkeley, a neighborhood long recognized for its African American cultural heritage and civic activism, the center

continues to uphold Judge Ramsey’s legacy of equity, inclusion, and community service.

Today, the South Berkeley Senior Center remains a vital hub for social, recreational, and supportive programs that

foster wellbeing and connection among older adults. Services include daily congregate lunches, exercise and arts

classes, cultural events, and educational workshops. The center’s social services staff also provide case

management and referrals to help seniors access housing, health care, and transportation resources. Beyond senior-

focused programs, the facility serves as an important community gathering space, hosting neighborhood meetings,

nonprofit activities, and special events. Its multipurpose rooms, classrooms, and dining hall are used by a wide

range of community groups, reinforcing the center’s welcoming, intergenerational character.

In 2023, the City of Berkeley selected Noll & Tam Architects to design the South Berkeley Senior Center

Improvements Project. The renovation will provide seismic, electrical, and accessibility upgrades, and staff space

reconfiguration. Expected to be completed in Spring 2028, the project will create a safer, more energy-efficient, and

inclusive facility.

Click here for more information on the South Berkeley Senior Center.

Current images of the building are located on this RFQ under XI. IMAGES.

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PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY

The City of Berkeley has identified a public art opportunity for an artist or team to design, fabricate, and install a

cohesive series of (5) wall mounted three-dimensional artworks in the following locations at the South

Berkeley Senior Center.

• Exterior Wall: (1) large three-dimensional wall mounted artwork at the Ellis Street entrance of the

Senior Center. Wall is approximately

• Interior Wall: (4) small three-dimensional wall mounted artworks on the 2nd floor of the Senior Center.

Artworks will be installed permanently and must be structurally sound, highly durable, and easy to maintain.

PUBLIC ART GOALS

• The artwork should be welcoming and engaging for a diverse, multigenerational audience.

• The artwork should feature a strong, integrated design that enhances the visitor experience of the

South Berkeley Senior Center.

• The artwork should complement the site’s identity—including its usage, culture, history, architecture,

or other site-specific themes.

PUBLIC ART BUDGET

The total project amount is $225,000 and includes all associated costs including, but not limited to, artist design fee,

research, engineering, fabrication, transportation, and installation. The selected artist or team will observe and

comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations of governmental agencies, including federal,

state, municipal and local governing bodies having jurisdiction over any or all the scope of artwork services.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to artists or teams residing in the 21 Northern California Megaregion Counties. Such

counties include Alameda; Contra Costa; El Dorado; Marin; Merced; Monterey; Napa; Placer; Sacramento; San

Benito; San Francisco; San Joaquin; San Mateo; Santa Clara; Santa Cruz; Solano; Sonoma; Stanislaus; Sutter;

Yolo; Yuba.

Artists from historically underrepresented communities—including African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native

American artists—are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications submitted by art consultants or commercial fabricators must include a designated partner artist or

team, along with a portfolio demonstrating prior collaborative work.

The City of Berkeley prioritizes public art commission opportunities for artists and teams who are not currently

represented in the City’s Public Art Collection.

II.

•

SCOPE OF SERVICES

The selected artist will enter into a Personal Services Agreement with the City of Berkeley. The anticipated

agreement term is from January 2027 to May 2028.

• The selected artist will be responsible for full coordination of the project, including administration, design,

engineering, fabrication, transportation, and installation (to be completed by a California-licensed

contractor), for five (5) unique three-dimensional, wall-mounted artworks at the South Berkeley Senior

Center. The total project budget shall not exceed $225,000.

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• Project administration includes attendance at remote, and if needed, in-person meetings as well as any

additional visits to the site. Selected artist or team will supply shop drawings, renderings, and material

samples, as needed, to complete the project and a cleaning and maintenance plan for the artworks.

III. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All RFQ applications must be created on Submittable. Applications submitted by USPS mail, email, fax, or hand

delivery will not be accepted or reviewed. Applications received in Submittable after the application deadline of

April 27, 2026, at 5:00pm PT will not be accepted or reviewed for any reason, including but not limited to

technical difficulties, system errors, or user error.

Cover Letter

The cover letter should address the following:

• What interests you about this project

• How your experience uniquely qualifies you for this project

• Key considerations that will guide your research, design, and construction for this project

• Length: One (1) page maximum

• File formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf

Resume or Biography

• Length: One (1) page maximum per artist; two (2) pages maximum for teams

• File formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf

Portfolio

• Submit 5–10 images of completed artwork demonstrating creativity and experience relevant to this

project. CAD renderings or imagery of unbuilt projects will not be accepted.

• For each image, include title, medium, dimensions, year completed, and a brief description.

• For team applications, clearly identify the lead artist for each image.

• File formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png.

IV. SELECTION PROCESS

Qualification Panel

A panel of Bay Area arts professionals will serve as the Qualification Panel. This panel will review all RFQ

submissions and advance approximately 20% of the total applications received.

Project Panel

The Qualification Panel will be joined by representatives from key stakeholder groups—including the Civic Arts

Commission, the Commission on Aging, the architect team, and the neighborhood—to form the Project Panel. The

Project Panel will select up to three finalists.

Finalists will be required to visit the project site and meet with key project stakeholders to support the development

of site-specific proposals. Each finalist will receive an honorarium of $1,750.

The Project Panel will review finalist presentations and recommend one artist or artist team to advance.

Civic Arts Commission

The Project Panel’s recommendation will be presented to the Civic Arts Commission for final consideration. The

City of Berkeley reserves the right to reject any or all submissions.

V. SCORING CRITERIA

Applications will be scored on the following:

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Creativity (60 points)

Creativity will be assessed by the originality and thoughtfulness of ideas; the degree to which the work engages

viewers visually, emotionally, and intellectually; and the demonstrated level of technical skill and craftsmanship.

Experience (40 points)

Experience will be evaluated based on past works that reflect a scope, scale, and/or site context comparable to this

project. Consideration will also be given to completed artworks that successfully engage their audiences, as well as

evidence of the applicant’s professional knowledge, capacity, and resources to execute permanent outdoor work in

the public realm.

Local Vendor Preference (5 points)

In accordance with City contracting requirements, applicants who reside or maintain a studio in the City of

Berkeley and are registered as a City of Berkeley Local Business, will receive a one-time additional 5 points bonus

during Qualification Panel scoring for a possible total of 105 points.

Finalist proposals will be scored on Project Goals and Project Management:

Project Goals

• The artwork should be welcoming and engaging for a diverse, multigenerational audience.

• The artwork should feature a strong, integrated design that enhances the visitor experience of the

South Berkeley Senior Center.

• The artwork should complement the site’s identity—including its usage, culture, history, architecture,

or other site-specific themes.

Project Management

The proposal demonstrates skills in communication, research, coordination, budgeting, and scheduling. The

proposal demonstrates professionalism, thoroughness, and timeliness in working with staff, project stakeholders,

and community.

VI. SCHEDULE (subject to change)

RFQ Posts

Questions Due

Responses Posted

RFQ Closes

Finalists Selected

Finalists Site Visit

Finalists Proposals Due + Community Survey

Finalists Presentations

Civic Arts Commission Decision

Artist Under Contract

Design Development + Construction Review

Fabrication

Installation

Unveiling

February 20, 2026

March 13, 2026 (at 5:00pm PT)

March 20, 2026

April 27, 2026 (at 5:00pm PT)

July 2026

August 2026

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027 – April 2027

May 2027 – March 2028

April 2028

May 2028

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VII. QUESTIONS REGARDING RFQ

For questions concerning the anticipated work, or scope of the project, please contact City of Berkeley Civic Art

civicarts@berkeleyca.gov no later than March 13, 2026 (at 5:00pm PT). Answers to RFQ questions or any RFQ

addenda will be posted March 20, 2026 as an attachment in City of Berkeley Civic Art Submittable portal at

https://cityofberkeleyoed.submittable.com/submit. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check the Submittable

website for updates and responses. Submittable technical support is available at

https://www.submittable.com/help/submitter/ or by email at support@submittable.com. Submittable business hours

are 9am-5pm MT.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: The below content, VIII. through X., is provided only as information and is

not a requirement for RFQ submissions.

VIII. CITY CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS

A. Non-Discrimination Requirements:

Ordinance No. 5876-N.S. codified in B.M.C. Chapter 13.26 states that for contracts worth more than $3,000 bids

for supplies or bids or proposals for services shall include a completed Workforce Composition Form. Businesses

with fewer than five employees are exempt from submitting this form. (See B.M.C. 13.26.030)

Under B.M.C. section 13.26.060, the City may require any bidder or vendor it believes may have discriminated

to submit a Non-Discrimination Program. The Contract Compliance Officer will make this determination. This

applies to all contracts and all consultants (contractors). Berkeley Municipal Code section 13.26.070 requires that

all contracts with the City contain a non-discrimination clause, in which the contractor agrees not to discriminate

and allows the City access to records necessary to monitor compliance. This section also applies to all contracts

and all consultants.

Bidders must submit the attached Non-Discrimination Disclosure Form with their proposal.

B. Nuclear Free Berkeley Disclosure Form

Berkeley Municipal Code section 12.90.070 prohibits the City from granting contracts to companies that

knowingly engage in work for nuclear weapons. This contracting prohibition may be waived if the City Council

determines that no reasonable alternative exists to doing business with a company that engages in nuclear

weapons work. If your company engages in work for nuclear weapons, explain on the Disclosure Form the nature

of such work.

Bidders must submit the attached Nuclear Free Disclosure Form with their proposal.

C. Oppressive States

The City of Berkeley prohibits granting of contracts to firms that knowingly provide personal services to specified

Countries. This contracting prohibition may be waived if the City Council determines that no reasonable

alternative exists to doing business with a company that is covered by City Council Resolution Nos. 59,853-N.S.,

60,382-N.S., and 70,606-N.S. If your company or any subsidiary is covered, explain on the Disclosure Form the

nature of such work.

Bidders must submit the attached Oppressive States Disclosure Form with their proposal.

D. Sanctuary City Contracting Ordinance

Chapter 13.105 of the Berkeley Municipal Code prohibits the City from granting and or retaining contracts with

any person or entity that provides Data Broker or Extreme Vetting services to the U.S. Immigration and Customs

Enforcement Division of the United States Department of Homeland Security ("ICE").

Bidders must submit the attached Sanctuary City Compliance Statement with their proposal.

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This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY FOR THE SOUTH BERKELEY SENIOR CENTER

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See also