Ben Franklin Transit - National Arts Grant Award - Pasco RFP 26-21 (2026)
Ben Franklin TransitPublic Authority · Richland, WA- Due
- Dec 8, 2026
- 26 days left
- Posted
- Nov 3, 2026
- Primary contact
- Rob Orvis
- (509) 318-5862
The 30-second brief
Ben Franklin Transit seeks qualified local artists for a place-based public art initiative to design six unique bus wraps celebrating the character and history of Benton City, Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, and West Richland in Benton and Franklin Counties, Washington. The project involves digital portfolio submission, artist collaboration, community engagement, and meeting development milestones for mobile murals across a transit fleet of 71 fixed-route buses and 96 paratransit vehicles. Proposals are due by December 8, 2026, with a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on November 19, 2026, and a question deadline of November 30, 2026. This RFP aligns with the National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town discipline, offering $5,000 artist compensation per city with a $90,000 total project budget.
Digital portfolio with 10 pieces of original artwork, Concept summary, Six unique bus wrap designs, Primary designs completed in 14 calendar days, Final artwork completed in 28 calendar days
Portfolio Quality (35%), Community Connection & Knowledge of Jurisdiction (35%), Artistic Concept, Vision & Feasibility (15%), Public Engagement & Accessibility (15%), Oral Presentation (additional 30 points)
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Summary
Ben Franklin Transit seeks qualified local artists for a place-based public art initiative to design six unique bus wraps celebrating the character and history of Benton City, Kennewick, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, and West Richland in Benton and Franklin Counties, Washington.
The project involves digital portfolio submission, artist collaboration, community engagement, and meeting development milestones for mobile murals across a transit fleet of 71 fixed-route buses and 96 paratransit vehicles. Proposals are due by December 8, 2026, with a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on November 19, 2026, and a question deadline of November 30, 2026. This RFP aligns with the National Endowment for the Arts' Our Town discipline, offering $5,000 artist compensation per city with a $90,000 total project budget.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
5- Digital portfolio with 10 pieces of original artwork
- Concept summary
- Six unique bus wrap designs
- Primary designs completed in 14 calendar days
- Final artwork completed in 28 calendar days
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS
6- Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreement
- Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Participation
- Non-Collusion Affidavit
- Statement of Qualifications
- Cover letter
- Digital portfolio
- Submit to
- https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/bft
- Scope location
- Richland, WA
Questions about this RFP
How do I respond to this RFP from Ben Franklin Transit?
Review the full solicitation document for submission requirements, evaluation criteria, and deadlines. The submission deadline is December 8, 2026. The solicitation specifies required deliverables that must be addressed in your response. Be sure to include all required attachments as outlined in the solicitation. Submissions should be delivered to: https://secure.procurenow.com/portal/bft. For questions, contact Rob Orvis.
Can small businesses or minority-owned firms bid on this RFP?
Most government agencies, including Ben Franklin Transit in WA, encourage participation from small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE). Check the full solicitation for any small business participation goals.
What happens after the RFP submission deadline?
After the deadline, the issuing agency reviews all submissions against the stated evaluation criteria. This typically includes a compliance check, technical evaluation, cost analysis, and may involve oral presentations with shortlisted vendors.
Can I ask questions about this solicitation before submitting?
Yes, most solicitations allow vendors to submit questions during a designated period. The primary contact is Rob Orvis at (509) 318-5862. Questions and answers are typically shared with all prospective bidders.
What are the key deliverables?
The solicitation specifies the following deliverables: Digital portfolio with 10 pieces of original artwork, Concept summary, Six unique bus wrap designs, Primary designs completed in 14 calendar days, Final artwork completed in 28 calendar days. Proposals should clearly address how each deliverable will be met.
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What are the evaluation criteria for this solicitation?
This solicitation includes specific evaluation criteria that will be used to score proposals. The criteria include: "Portfolio Quality (35%), Community Connection & Knowledge of Jurisdiction (35%), Artistic Concept, Vision & Feasibility (15%), Public Engagement & Accessibility (15%), Oral Presentation (additional 30..." Vendors should carefully align their proposals with each criterion to maximize their score.
Where can I find more RFPs from Ben Franklin Transit?
All active and historical solicitations from Ben Franklin Transit are tracked and searchable. As a public authority agency, Ben Franklin Transit regularly publishes solicitations. Visit the agency profile to see current open bids, past contracts, vendor relationships, and decision-maker contacts.
Is this solicitation still open for submissions?
Based on the posted deadline of December 8, 2026, this solicitation appears to still be accepting submissions. Deadlines may change through amendments or addenda, so always verify the current status directly with the issuing agency before preparing your response.
What documents are required to bid on this RFP?
Requirements vary by solicitation, but common documents include a technical proposal, cost/price proposal, proof of insurance, relevant certifications, past performance references, and any forms specified in the solicitation. This solicitation specifically requires the following attachments: Confidentiality/Non-Disclosure Agreement, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Participation, Non-Collusion Affidavit, Statement of Qualifications, cover letter, digital portfolio. Review the full document from Ben Franklin Transit for the complete list.
What is the scope of this project?
This solicitation defines a specific project scope. The scope covers the following locations: Richland, WA. Review the full solicitation for detailed scope requirements.