Tapestry of Diversity Award

SUNY Oneonta Tapestry Award for Diversity and Inclusion
Call for Proposals

Project Scope and Intent

SUNY Oneonta seeks to commission a piece of public art to symbolize SUNY Oneonta's commitment to the goals of diversity and inclusion. It will serve as the focal point for the college's annual Tapestry Award for Diversity and Inclusion.

The artwork must incorporate either the idea of weaving or of a mosaic, as a symbol of the integration of diverse elements into an inclusive college community. The artwork must also include the capacity to grow or be modified over time, as we intend to have each awardee "make his/her mark" on this visible representation of the Tapestry Award. The artist would supply materials or pieces sufficient for 10-15 annual "additions". As an outdoor piece, the artwork will be the focal point for the annual award ceremony and hopefully a site for contemplation or other social use throughout the year. All proposals for the artwork must address how the piece will be integrated into the campus's physical and social landscape.

Site Information

This will be an outdoor piece, and may take the form that the artist chooses to best meet the requirements listed above, including a freestanding or a wall-mounted piece. The proposed sites are marked in the attached site plan and include the southwest portion of the quad between the Netzer Administration Building and Schumacher Hall, and the area between Schumacher Hall and Milne Library.

Site Visits

A site visit will be required of all artists submitting proposals for this project. This is an opportunity to visit the site and speak with the Facilities representative and Award Committee representatives. Site visit dates are Wednesday, August 12, 1-2PM; Friday, August 21, 1-2PM; September 18, 1-2PM; October 13, 3-4PM and October 20, 2-3PM. Artists must sign in at Room 133 Netzer Administration Building upon arrival.

Budget

The budget allocated by the President’s Office and the Office of Equity and Inclusion for this project will be $20,000-$35,000. This will include all materials for the initial installation as well as the annual awardee "addition", labor, rental of equipment, liability insurance, securing of site while work is ongoing, and any other costs that may be incurred by the artist.

Proposals Must Include

• description of the project, including sketches; description of mounting or installation of piece; estimate of time required for installation on site; how the piece fits into the Tapestry of Diversity concept; and how the annual awardee will "make his/her mark"
• total cost to the College, including liability insurance and all items listed in Budget section (above). Proof of insurance will be required from winning artist.
• resume indicating experience with projects of this scope, including photographs or images of previous works
• 3 recent references

Project Timeline

1. Initial proposals due by November 2, 2009
2. Up to three finalists will be selected by November 20, 2009
3. Full proposals, including model of project, due from finalists due by February 15, 2010
4. Opportunity for campus community to review final selections/meet with artists, February 26, 2010
5. Final selection will be made by March 8, 2010
6. Communication to winning artist by March 8, 2010
7. Installation of artwork to be complete by August 13, 2010

Selection Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria, listed in order of importance:

• appropriateness to the Tapestry Award’s symbolic themes of the integration of diversity and inclusion
• how well it incorporates the need to grow over time or be modified with each new awardee
• artistic merits
• durability under the climate conditions of the area
• compatibility to aesthetics of surrounding physical and social landscape
• safety and vandalism concerns must be addressed
• must be extremely low-maintenance
• feasibility

Cost is not a consideration because it must fall within the budgeted range of $20,000 - $35,000.
Though the proposals will be rated according to the above criteria, the decision of the selection committee is subjective. The selection committee reserves the right to reject any and all proposals.

Deadline for Submission: November 2, 2009

Method of award
The award will be made to the artist chosen by the selection committee. The selected artist must have met all of the criteria in the Proposals Must Include section above. The selected Artist will be required to sign a formal contract with the College.

General Terms and Conditions for Bidders

1. All proposals and reports shall become the property of New York State.
2. The College at Oneonta reserves the right to:
   • Define the requirements to meet agency needs and to modify, correct, clarify and eliminate requirements at any time during the RFP process provided the changes are justified and maintain fairness in contracting with the business community. All vendors will receive written notification of any modifications to the requirements.
   • Reject any and all proposals received in response to the RFP and to reject separable portions of any offer, to negotiate terms and conditions consistent with the solicitation, and to make an award for any or all remaining portions.
   • Terminate a resulting contract in the event it is determined that the certification filed by the vendor in accordance with State Finance Law Section 139-j and 139-k was intentionally false or intentionally incomplete (attachment forms B and C).
   • Enforce the contract clauses as stipulated in EXHIBITS A and A-1, which become part of any contract/agreement between SUNY Oneonta and the successful bidder.
3. Valid negotiations – No negotiation decision or action shall be executed by any bidder as a result of any oral discussions or agreements with any College employee. Only those transactions that are in writing shall be considered valid. Likewise, the College shall only consider communications from bidders that are signed and in writing.
4. Proposals Binding for 60 Days – The proposal shall constitute an offer binding upon the bidder for sixty (60) calendar days following the opening of proposals and remain in effect until either contract is awarded or bidder requests in writing to withdraw his/her bid.
5. Public Information – Procurement records for State agencies are subject to the Freedom of Information Law. Bidders should consider this when submitting information in their bids.
6. All vendors submitting are required to complete attached Lobbying Documentation forms B & C. The designated Agency Contact for this procurement is Susan Clemons, as detailed on page 1.
7. Governing Law - The Contract, if awarded, shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of New York State, which include but are not limited to the items identified in the Standard Contract clauses State University of New York, which are contained in Exhibits A and A-1.
8. Public Officers Law – Contractors and their employees are cautioned that the hiring of former state employees may violate the Ethics Law. The governing provisions are set forth in Paragraphs 73 and 74 of the Public Officers Law, and the underlying principle of the law is to prevent conflicts of interest, and encourage ethical behavior.
9. Non-discrimination Against Handicapped – The Contractor must covenant and agree that it does not discriminate against handicapped persons as defined by Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, in access to our conditions of employment, or in the administration of any of its programs, activities or services.
10. Affirmative Action – In accordance with current laws and executive orders, the College requires that affirmative action be taken for the employment of minority group members and women. The College encourages the submission of proposals by certified Minority Business Enterprises and Woman owned Business Enterprises.

See THIS LINK for the required Bid Sheet.