Project Information

Bid Title

Request for Qualifications: Storm Drain Artwork Project

Issuing Agency

City of Mailbu

Location

California

Published Date

Mar 4, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 17, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

Bid Title:	Request for Qualifications: Storm Drain Artwork Project
Category:	Professional Consulting
Status:	Open

Description: The City of Malibu invites artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to apply to contribute to its environmental public art campaign. The selected artist will design and create original artwork for four storm drain catch basins located in highly visible areas throughout Malibu. This project provides artists with the opportunity to transform everyday infrastructure into meaningful public art. By reimagining storm drains as creative canvases, the artwork will help viewers connect streets, stormwater, and the ocean, while elevating the presence of local and regional art in public spaces. Successful proposals will reflect Malibu’s deep connection to the coast, spark curiosity and conversation, and inspire the community to take an active role in protecting our shared environment. Publication Date/Time: 3/4/2026 12:30 PM Closing Date/Time: 4/17/2026 12:00 PM Submittal Information: Artist(s) must submit a digital copy of the complete proposal via email. Contact Person: Kristin Riesgo, Community Services Director KRiesgo@malibucity.org Qualifications: Artists with experience in public art and an interest in ocean conservation are encouraged to apply. Special Requirements: 1. Artist Contact Information: Provide your name, address, email, and phone number. Optional items include your website and/or social media handles. 2. Project Approach: Describe your design concept, proposed timeline, and choice of materials. Maximum 800 words. 3. Project Proposal: Include visual representations of your storm drain designs. These should convey your intended vision for each piece (final designs will be approved by City staff in collaboration with the selected artist before installation). 4. Spill Response Plan: Explain how you will prevent paint or other materials from entering the storm drain in the event of a spill and describe your method for disposing of wastewater in an environmentally responsible manner. Maximum 300 words. 5. Resume and References: Provide a current resume and contact information for three (3) professional references. 6. Image References: Submit digital images of relevant artwork (minimum of 2, maximum of 5). Images must be labeled and not exceed 40 MB in total. Include an image list with the following information for each piece: image number, title, media, dimensions, date, location (if applicable), description, and any awards received. 7. Artist Agreement: The selected artist must execute and comply with the City’s standard Artist Agreement, provided as Attachment 1 of this Request for Qualifications. Miscellaneous: The selected artist will be paid $15,000 to complete original art on four storm drain inlets. The budget will cover all of the artist's costs including artwork, supplies, travel and installation. Related Documents: 2026 Storm Drain Artwork RFQ Packet

Attachment Preview

Request for Qualifications

Storm Drain Artwork

Date Issued: March 4, 2026

Proposals must be received no later than 12:00 PM PST

Friday, April 17, 2026

City of Malibu

Attn: Kristin Riesgo, Community Services Director

23825 Stuart Ranch Road

Malibu, CA 90265

KRiesgo@Malibucity.org

City of Malibu

Request for Qualifications

Storm Drain Artwork

Release Date: March 4, 2026

Submissions Due: April 17, 2026, at 12:00 PM

Introduction

The City of Malibu is dedicated to preserving coastal water quality and protecting sensitive

marine habitats. Through innovative programming, the City educates residents and

visitors about water quality protection and the connection between everyday activities,

storm drains, and ocean health. City initiatives encourage environmental stewardship to

help prevent polluted runoff from reaching the ocean.

To promote this initiative, the City transformed four storm drain catch basins into public

art installations designed to spark community dialogue and raise awareness about

protecting Malibu’s coastline. Storm drain artwork was completed in 2014 and expanded

in 2018, reinforcing the City’s ongoing commitment to innovative public education and

coastal resource protection.

Background

The City of Malibu is a coastal municipality located in the northwestern portion of Los

Angeles County, California. The population is approximately 10,200 residents. Malibu

also attracts a large number of visitors, with annual visitation estimates reaching

approximately 15 million, due to its beaches, parks, and coastal attractions.

Incorporated as a general law city on March 28, 1991, Malibu operates under a council-

manager form of government. City Council consists of five members elected at large to

staggered four-year terms, with the Mayor selected by the Council from among its

members. The City’s jurisdiction extends along 21 miles of Pacific Ocean coastline and

generally reaches inland less than one mile, widening to slightly more than two miles in

select areas. Malibu provides a full range of municipal services and is considered a

contract city for certain functions, contracting with outside agencies and providers for law

enforcement, fire protection, and other essential services. City departments are organized

to deliver core functions, including management and administrative services, building and

safety, community services, environmental sustainability, planning, public works, and

engineering.

The Fiscal Year 2025-26 adopted operating budget is approximately $110.3 million,

prioritizing wildfire recovery, infrastructure improvements, and ongoing municipal

services. This budget reflects continued financial stability and proactive planning, while

addressing significant community needs, including disaster recovery and capital projects.

The City’s workforce for FY 2025-26 includes approximately 113 full-time employees and

15.58 full-time equivalent part-time positions, totaling about 128.58 full-time equivalents.

City of Malibu

RFQ Storm Drain Artwork

Page 3 of 5

Scope of Work

The City of Malibu invites artists of all backgrounds and disciplines to apply to contribute

to its environmental public art campaign. The selected artist will design and create original

artwork for four storm drain catch basins located in highly visible areas throughout Malibu.

This project provides artists with the opportunity to transform everyday infrastructure into

meaningful public art. By reimagining storm drains as creative canvases, the artwork will

help viewers connect streets, stormwater, and the ocean, while elevating the presence of

local and regional art in public spaces. Successful proposals will reflect Malibu’s deep

connection to the coast, spark curiosity and conversation, and inspire the community to

take an active role in protecting our shared environment.

Budget

The selected artist will receive a total project stipend of $15,000 for designing and

completing original artwork on four storm drain catch basins. This amount is intended to

cover all project-related costs, including but not limited to artist fees, materials and

supplies, travel, and installation.

Eligibility

Artists with demonstrated experience in public art and a strong interest in ocean

conservation are encouraged to apply.

Specifications

1. Artistic Quality and Durability: Artwork will be evaluated based on overall design

quality and must be durable, with a minimum life expectancy of four years.

Proposals should demonstrate a practical and aesthetically pleasing use of color

and form and be appropriate to the surrounding environments where the artwork

will be installed.

2. Scope of Artwork: The selected artist(s) will design and paint original, ocean-

themed artwork on four storm drain inlets. These installations will be used as a

public education campaign.

3. Timeframe: The selected artist(s) will complete the artwork on the four (4) storm

drain inlets (entire project) in one hundred and fifty (150) days or less.

4. Materials and Finish: Because the artwork will be exposed to harsh outdoor

conditions, artists must use high-quality, colorfast paints proven to maintain

appearance for at least four (4) years. Artists may select their preferred paint

products, subject to City approval. Upon completion, City staff will apply a clear,

environmentally sensitive protective sealant. All materials, color selections, and

designs are subject to City review and approval.

5. Painting Areas: Artwork may be applied only to the concrete sidewalk, storm drain

inlet lid, and gutter. Painting on asphalt roadways is not permitted. Red curbs may

be painted over only where they are directly on the storm drain inlet lid; red curb

areas extending beyond the inlet must remain red.

6. Required Text and Signature: City Staff will work with the Artist to determine a

slogan on pollution prevention to incorporate into each mural. Artists may include

a signature, provided it does not exceed the maximum size specified by the City.

City of Malibu

RFQ Storm Drain Artwork

Page 4 of 5

7. Weather Conditions: All artwork installations must be completed during dry

weather conditions.

8. Spill Prevention and Cleanup: Due to the environmentally sensitive locations,

artists must have materials readily available to immediately address any spills,

including absorbent materials and cleaning cloths. A spill response and cleanup

plan must be included with the proposal.

9. Water Disposal: Artists are responsible for the proper disposal of any dirty or

wastewater generated during the project. Wastewater may not be discharged into

gutters or storm drains. Proposals must describe an environmentally responsible

disposal method.

10. Locations: The City has designated the storm drain inlets to be painted. The four

(4) locations are: Cross Creek Road (bus stop); Heathercliff Road (Point Dume

Plaza); the intersection of Morning View Drive and Pacific Coast Highway; and

Trancas Canyon Park (cul-de-sac).

Request for Qualifications Submission Requirements

Proposals should be concise and should not include materials to be returned to the artist.

Each proposal must include the following information:

1. Artist Contact Information: Provide your name, address, email, and phone

number. Optional items include your website and/or social media handles.

2. Project Approach: Describe your design concept, proposed timeline, and choice

of materials. Maximum 800 words.

3. Project Proposal: Include visual representations of your storm drain designs.

These should convey your intended vision for each piece (final designs will be

approved by City staff in collaboration with the selected artist before installation).

4. Spill Response Plan: Explain how you will prevent paint or other materials from

entering the storm drain in the event of a spill and describe your method for

disposing of wastewater in an environmentally responsible manner. Maximum 300

words.

5. Resume and References: Provide a current resume and contact information for

three (3) professional references.

6. Image References: Submit digital images of relevant artwork (minimum of 2,

maximum of 5). Images must be labeled and not exceed 40 MB in total. Include an

image list with the following information for each piece: image number, title, media,

dimensions, date, location (if applicable), description, and any awards received.

7. Artist Agreement: The selected artist must execute and comply with the City’s

standard Artist Agreement, provided as Attachment 1 of this Request for

Qualifications.

Clarifications

The City will respond to requests for clarification of the RFQ in written Addendum(s), as

needed. Inquiries should be directed by email only to KRiesgo@MalibuCity.org, and no

verbal requests will be accepted.

All requests for clarification must be received by 12:00 PM PST on Wednesday, April 1,

2026. All clarifications will be posted on the City of Malibu’s website MalibuCity.org/bids.

City of Malibu

RFQ Storm Drain Artwork

Page 5 of 5

Proposal Deadline

Artist(s) must submit a digital copy of the complete proposal to:

City of Malibu

Kristin Riesgo, Community Services Director

KRiesgo@MalibuCity.org

Digital proposals may be submitted via email or saved on a flash drive and mailed to

(23825 Stuart Ranch Road, Malibu, CA 90265). If submitting via email, please keep the

file size to 40 MB or less.

All proposals are due no later than 12:00 PM PST on Friday, April 17, 2026.

Proposals received after the deadline will be considered non-responsive. No faxed

proposals will be accepted.

The City reserves the right to extend the deadline or accept a late submittal with good

cause shown.

Response Preparations

The City will make no reimbursement for costs incurred in preparing the response to this

RFQ. Submitted materials will not be returned and will become the property of the City.

Right to Reject Proposals

Submission of a proposal indicates acceptance by the Contractor of the conditions

contained in this RFQ unless clearly and specifically noted in the proposal submitted and

confirmed in the Agreement between the City and the selected Contractor. The City

reserves the right, without prejudice, to reject any or all proposals.

ATTACHMENTS:

1. Storm Drain Locations

2. Sample Artist Agreement

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 236220Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
• NAICS 237110Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction
• NAICS 237990Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
• NAICS 541330Engineering Services

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