Public Art Commission for the Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

Specification No. 25-11729-C

PUBLIC ART COMMISSION FOR THE SANTA FE TRACKBED TO PARK CONVERSION
PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE OPENED AND READ PUBLICLY

RFQ Issue Date: November 13, 2025

Applicant Questions Due: December 1, 2025 (by 5:00pm PT)

Responses to Questions Posted: December 8, 2025

Application Deadline: January 12, 2026 (by 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 submittal of 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.

I. PROJECT SUMMARY

SANTA FE TRACKBED SITE DESCRIPTION

The project site was historically part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Launched in 1904, the Santa Fe Railway line ran through Berkeley, connecting Oakland to Richmond and provided both passenger and freight service.

Between the 1930s and 1960s, South Berkeley was subjected to redlining by mortgage lenders, a discriminatory practice that severely limited investment in the area. As a result, the neighborhood experienced decades of disinvestment and many lower-income families of color settled there due to the inability to afford other neighborhoods.

In the 1950s, the Santa Fe Railway ended passenger service on the line, and by the early 1970s, freight service had ceased as well. In 1974 Berkeley voters passed Measure Y, which approved funding to acquire and develop the entire 3.1-mile stretch of the Santa Fe Railroad Right-of-Way (ROW). City Council authorized the acquisition in 1978, and by 1979 approved a development plan that included the creation of parkland, the construction of new housing, and the sale of some parcels to neighboring residents.

As a result, two major parks were established along the ROW in the early 1980s – Cedar Rose Park at the northern end of the corridor, and Strawberry Creek Park, located just south of University Avenue. Several affordable housing projects were built on parcels adjacent to Channing and Dwight Way, and a housing development immediately south of Ward Street at Sojourner Truth Way was created by the City.

Opposition to the loss of potential open space culminated in the passage of Measure L. This measure mandated the remaining ROW to be preserved as open space, a position that was further reinforced in the 2000 Berkeley General Plan, which prohibited any additional parcel sales. From that point forward, the corridor was designated exclusively for parks, walking paths, community gardens, tot-lots, and other community-supported open space initiatives.

After 2000, most of the remaining parcels remained undeveloped. However, two significant community-led projects occurred. In 2007, efforts to establish the Berkeley Community Orchard began, though the initiative was ultimately curtailed due to the discovery of arsenic contamination in the soil. In 2011, the Southern Berkeley Bioremediation Garden and Public Education Project was launched through a partnership involving the Ecology Center, UC Berkeley, and several local gardening organizations, offering an example of how the community could reclaim and repurpose the land sustainably.

In 2021, the City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation & Waterfront Department secured a $5 million grant from California’s Proposition 68 Statewide Parks Program to transform the undeveloped parcels along Acton Street between Blake and Ward Street in South Berkeley into a new neighborhood park. This marks the most recent step in a decades-long transformation of the Santa Fe Railroad Right-of-Way (ROW) from an abandoned rail corridor into vibrant public space for all Berkeley residents. Currently anticipated to be complete in Summer 2027, the Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion project will create new park area that spans four blocks. Running north to south, the new park areas will be:

• Community Garden Park (between Blake and Parker Streets)

• Dog Play and Community Park (between Parker and Carleton Streets)

• Kid’s Play and Community Park (between Carleton and Derby Streets)

• Urban Farm and Education Park (between Derby and Ward Streets)

Click here for more information on the Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversion project.

Images of the park’s conceptual plan can be found on the RFQ page under “Additional Files.”

PUBLIC ART PROJECT

The City of Berkeley has identified one public art opportunity to design, fabricate, and install two unique vertical structures that will serve as habitat boxes for both birds and insects. The two installation sites are:

• Community Garden Park (between Blake and Parker Streets)

• Urban Farm and Education Park (between Derby and Ward Streets)

The selected artist or artist team will be responsible for creating two distinct artworks—one artwork installed at each site. Each structure must stand vertically for high visibility to park visitors and function effectively as a both a bird and insect habitat. Artworks will be installed permanently and must be structurally sound, highly durable, and easy to maintain.

PUBLIC ART PROJECT GOALS

• Create permanent structures that effectively offer shelter and nesting opportunities for native and migratory birds, as well as non-stinging insects. Structures will be made of highly durable materials and their design considers safety, maintenance, weatherization, and vandalism.

• Integrate strong design aesthetics with a focus on environmental awareness and park integration. Artworks will be appropriate for the site in terms of scale, medium, design, and imagery, and will complement the context of the surrounding area.

• Develop bold, visually striking installations at both ends of the park corridor to serve as key points of interest.

PUBLIC ART BUDGET

The total project amount is $150,000 and includes all associated costs including, but not limited to, artist design fee, environmental research, engineering, fabrication, transportation, and installation. The selected artist or artist 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 of the scope of artwork services.

ARTIST ELIGIBILITY

This opportunity is open to artists or artist 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 populations, including African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American communities, are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 November 2026 to October 2027.

• The selected artist will be responsible for the design, engineering, fabrication, and transportation, as well as the installation by a CA licensed contractor of two unique vertical structures that will serve as habitat boxes for both birds and insects; one for the Community Garden Park and one for the Urban Farm and Education Park located at the Santa Fe Trackbed to Park Conversation site for an amount not to exceed $150,000.

• The selected artist will attend scheduled remote and in-person meetings and site visits. Selected artist will supply shop drawings, renderings, and material samples, as needed, to complete the project.

• The selected artist will provide a cleaning and maintenance plan for the artworks.

III. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All RFQ submissions must be created in Submittable. Any other submission by mail, email, fax, or hand delivery will not be accepted. Late or incomplete Submittable applications will not be accepted under any circumstances.

Cover Letter

Please address the following:

• What interests you about this project?

• How does your experience make you uniquely suited for it?

• In researching, designing, and constructing this public artwork, what will be your key considerations?

• Length: One (1) page maximum

• File formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf

Resume/Biography

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

• File formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf

Portfolio

• Submit 5–10 images of completed artworks that demonstrate creativity and qualifications relevant to this project.

• For each image, include Title, Medium, Dimensions, Year completed, and a Brief description

• If applying as a team, clearly identify the lead artist for each image.

• File formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png.

IV. SELECTION PROCESS

Qualification Panel

A panel of Bay Area arts and environmental professionals will serve as the Qualification Panel, reviewing all RFQ submissions and advancing 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 Parks, Recreation and Waterfront Commission, the architect team, and the neighborhood— to form the Project Panel. This panel will select up to three finalists.

The finalists will be invited 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 $1,500

• Pre-approved travel reimbursement

Finalist proposals will be presented to the Project Panel, which will recommend one artist to advance.

Civic Art Commission

The artist recommended by the Project Panel 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

The Qualification Panel will score applications based on the following:

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 an additional 5 bonus points, for a possible total of 105 points.

The Project Panel and Civic Arts Commission will review finalist proposals based on the following:

Project Goals

• The proposed artworks are permanent structures that effectively offer shelter and nesting opportunities for native and migratory birds, as well as non-stinging insects. Structures will be made of highly durable materials and their design considers safety, maintenance, weatherization, and vandalism.

• The proposal integrates strong design aesthetics with a focus on environmental awareness and park integration. The proposal is appropriate for its site in terms of scale, medium, design, and imagery, and complements the context of the surrounding area.

• The proposal develops a bold, visually striking installation at both ends of the park corridor to serve as key points of interest.

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 (dates are subject to change)

• RFQ Posts November 13, 2025

• Questions Due December 1, 2025 (by 5:00pm PT)

• Responses Posted December 8, 2025

• RFQ Closes January 12, 2026 (by 5:00pm PT)

• Finalists Selected March 2026

• Finalists Site Visit May 2026

• Finalists Proposals Due + Community Survey July 2026

• Finalists Presentations August 2026

• Civic Arts Commission Decision September 2026

• Artist Under Contract November 2026

• Design Development + Construction Review December 2026 - February 2027

• Fabrication February 2027 - September 2027

• Installation September 2027

• Unveiling October 2027

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 December 1, 2025 (by 5:00pm PT). Answers to RFQ questions or any RFQ addenda will be posted 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.

PLEASE NOTE: The below content, VIII. through X., is provided only as information and is not a requirement for submitting an RFQ.

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.

E. Conflict of Interest

In the sole judgment of the City, any and all proposals are subject to disqualification on the basis of a conflict of interest. The City may not contract with a vendor if the vendor or an employee, officer or director of the proposer's firm, or any immediate family member of the preceding, has served as an elected official, employee, board or commission member of the City who influences the making of the contract.

Furthermore, the City may not contract with any vendor whose income, investment, or real property interest may be affected by the contract. The City, at its sole option, may disqualify any proposal on the basis of such a conflict of interest.

Please identify any person associated with the firm that has a potential conflict of interest.

F. Berkeley Living Wage Ordinance

Chapter 13.27 of the Berkeley Municipal Code requires that contractors offer all eligible employees with City mandated minimum compensation during the term of any contract that may be awarded by the City. If the Contractor is not currently subject to the Living Wage Ordinance, cumulative contracts with the City within a one-year period may subject Contractor to the requirements under B.M.C. Chapter 13.27. A certification of compliance with this ordinance will be required upon execution of a contract.

The current Living Wage rate can be found here:

https://www.cityofberkeley.info/Finance/Home/Vendors__Living_Wage_Ordinance.aspx.

The Living Wage rate is adjusted automatically effective June 30th of each year commensurate with the corresponding increase in the Consumer Price Index published in April of each year. If the Living Wage rate is adjusted during the term of your agreement, you must pay the new adjusted rate to all eligible employees, regardless of what the rate was when the contract was executed.

G. Berkeley Equal Benefits Ordinance

Chapter 13.29 of the Berkeley Municipal Code requires that contractors offer domestic partners the same access to benefits that are available to spouses. A certification of compliance with this ordinance will be required upon execution of a contract.

H. Statement of Economic Interest

The City’s Conflict of Interest Code designates “consultants” as a category of persons who must complete Form 700, Statement of Economic Interest, at the beginning of the contract period and again at the termination of the contract. The selected contractor will be required to complete the Form 700 before work may begin.

IX. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

A. Insurance

The selected contractor will be required to maintain general liability insurance in the minimum amount of $2,000,000, automobile liability insurance in the minimum amount of $1,000,000 and a professional liability insurance policy in the amount of $2,000,000 to cover any claims arising out of the performance of the contract. The general liability and automobile insurance must name the City, its officers, agents, volunteers and employees as additional insured.

Insurance not Necessary: If the services are such that the risk of exposure to liability is very low, insurance may not be required. An example of such a service is an individual using his/her computer at home to lay out a newsletter for the City. This determination must be made by the Risk Manager in writing before the RFQ is issued.

Insurance Waiver: A situation in which insurance is not necessary is different from a case in which insurance may be waived. An insurance waiver is appropriate where insurance would usually be necessary but when, as a policy matter, the City is willing to take the risk of allowing an uninsured or under-insured individual or business to perform the work (usually when the risk of liability is low). An insurance waiver may be granted only by the Risk Manager in writing with the approval of the City Manager. If a potential bidder expresses an inability to meet the insurance requirement, he or she should be encouraged to contact the Project Manager & Risk Manager for assistance in obtaining insurance.)

B. Worker’s Compensation Insurance

A selected contractor who employs any person shall maintain workers' compensation insurance in accordance with state requirements. Sole proprietors with no employees are not required to carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance.

(Worker’s Compensation Insurance cannot be waived for any person who employs others.)

C. Business License

Virtually every contractor that does business with the City must obtain a City business license as mandated by B.M.C. Ch. 9.04. The business license requirement applies whether or not the contractor has an office within the City limits. However, a "casual" or "isolated" business transaction (B.M.C. section 9.04.010) does not subject the contractor to the license tax. Warehousing businesses and charitable organizations are the only entities specifically exempted in the code from the license requirement (see B.M.C. sections, 9.04.295 and 9.04.300). Non-profit organizations are granted partial exemptions (see B.M.C. section 9.04.305). Persons who, by reason of physical infirmity, unavoidable misfortune, or unavoidable poverty, may be granted an exemption of one annual free license at the discretion of the Director of Finance. (See B.M.C. sections 9.04.290).

Vendor must apply for a City business license and show proof of application to Purchasing Manager within seven days of being selected as intended contractor.

The Customer Service Division of the Finance Department located at 1947 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704, issues business licenses. Contractors should contact this division for questions and/or information on obtaining a City business license in person, or by calling 510-981-7200.

D. Recycled Paper

Any printed reports for the City required during the performance of the work shall be on 100% recycled paper and shall be printed on both sides of the page whenever practical.

E. State Prevailing Wage

Certain labor categories under this project may be subject to prevailing wages as identified in the State of California Labor Code commencing in Section 1770 et seq. These labor categories, when employed for any “work performed during the design and preconstruction phases of construction including, but not limited to, inspection and land surveying work,” constitute a “Public Work” within the definition of Section 1720(a)(1) of the California Labor Code requiring payment of prevailing wages.

Wage information is available through the California Division of Industrial Relations web site at:

http://www.dir.ca.gov/OPRL/statistics_and_databases.html

X. PAYMENT

Invoices: Invoices must be fully itemized and provide sufficient information for approving payment and audit. Invoices must be accompanied by receipt for services for payment to be processed. Email invoices to the Accounts Payable and civicarts@berkeleyca.gov; (List on invoice, Attn: Civic Arts/City Manager’s Office) and reference the contract number.

City of Berkeley

Civic Arts Program

2180 Milvia Street, 5th Floor

Berkeley, CA 94706

Attn: Accounts Payable@Berkeleyca.gov

Phone: 510-981-7310

Payments: The City will make payment to the vendor within 30 days of receipt of a correct, approved and complete invoice.

Thank you for your interest in working with the City of Berkeley for this service. We look forward to receiving your Statement of Qualifications.