--- title: Bladensburg Bus Garage Public Art Project description: "Public art RFQ: $330,000 site-specific sculpture for WMATA's Bladensburg Bus Garage, Washington DC. National eligibility; apply via CaFÉ by Nov 15, 2026." url: https://www.artsume.com/programs/9d0a9adb-91d0-460b-809d-712dbaeda309 type: program status: open createdAt: "2026-10-24" updatedAt: "2026-10-24" programType: Public art organization: Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority organizationUrl: https://www.artsume.com/o/washington-metropolitan-area-transit-authority deadline: "2026-11-15" location: Bladensburg Bus Garage, Washington, DC, United States isOnline: false compensationRange: Phase 1 finalists each receive a $3,500 stipend to prepare a Phase 2 design proposal; the awarded Artist's fee is included within the $330,000 firm-fixed-price contract and shall not exceed 20% of the total proposed project cost. disciplines: - sculpture --- # Bladensburg Bus Garage Public Art Project **Hosted by:** Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority **Type:** Public art | **Location:** Bladensburg Bus Garage, Washington, DC, United States | **Deadline:** November 15, 2026 ## About This Program > "Site-specific public artwork reflecting the Bladensburg Bus Garage site's history and the surrounding Woodridge, Langdon, and Gateway communities" ### Opportunity Summary The WMATA Art in Transit Program is inviting professional Artists/Artist-led Teams to submit their qualifications to create a site-specific artwork as part of the Phase 2 of the Bladensburg Bus Garage Reconstruction Project. The three-dimensional artwork, such as a sculpture or a functional artwork, will be located by the Bus Entrance along Bladensburg Rd NE near 28th Street NE, and will serve as a welcoming landmark. The total public art budget is $330,000. Submissions are due November 15, 2026. ### Background AIT was created to provide artwork and performances at the Authority's transit facilities to enhance public spaces and provide high-quality arts experiences for transit customers and the public. AIT is committed to working with artists, other arts professionals, architects, engineers, community representatives, and jurisdictional arts councils to develop projects that reflect the spirit and vitality of the arts and communities in the Metro service area. The Bladensburg Bus Garage sits on 17.59 acres bounded by Bladensburg Road NE, 25th Place NE, Douglas Street NE, and the CSX railroad line. It directly borders or is adjacent to the neighborhoods of Woodridge, Langdon, and Gateway. First built in 1962, the facility is one of Metro's oldest assets and supports approximately 500 operations employees. Construction on the new facility began in 2021 and will be completed in two phases, with Phase 2 expected to be completed by July of 2027. In the early 1850s, sculptor Clark Mills purchased much of the land that would become Langdon and Woodridge to establish his foundry and studio — located where the bus garage now stands — where Mills and his enslaved apprentice Philip Reid disassembled, transported, and recast the Statue of Freedom for the U.S. Capitol dome in 1863. The area later saw streetcar-era suburbanization, racially restrictive covenants, industrial development, and mid-20th-century demographic change into Black middle-class enclaves in Woodridge and Langdon. ### Two-Phase Selection Process The selection and creation of the site-specific artwork will be procured using a Two-Phase Selection Process under a single solicitation. - Phase 1 — Qualifications: Professional Artists/Artist-led Teams submit Qualifications. The Art Selection Panel will select a maximum of five (5) Phase 1 finalists. - Phase 2 — Design Proposals: Phase 1 finalists submit site-specific design proposals through CaFÉ. Each Phase 1 finalist will receive a $3,500 stipend to prepare and submit a Phase 2 design proposal. Phase 2 proposals shall include a cost estimate not to exceed $330,000 for the entire project. The resulting contract will be a firm-fixed-price contract. ### Scope of Work The Contractor shall provide all labor, materials, equipment, engineering, and supervision necessary to design, fabricate, and install the artwork, including design development (up to two design revisions), structural and engineering analysis, acquisition of permits, fabrication, coordination with WMATA, installation at the project site, and delivery of deliverables, warranty, and closeout documentation. The period of performance shall be 180 days from the date of contract award, unless otherwise extended by the Contracting Officer. The Authority is seeking a unique, memorable, and engaging site-specific artwork that captures the Authority's mission and reflects the artistic, cultural, and/or historical interests of the surrounding community. Design principles include enduring aesthetics, site-specificity, compatibility with existing architecture, and suitability for a diverse public. All artwork proposals must meet applicable IBC standards and ADA standards. ### Site Considerations The artwork will be located at the new main entrance on Bladensburg Road NE near 28th Street NE in the area marked by a purple outline. The artwork must be aligned with the scale of the designated site and not extend beyond the area into the public sidewalk. Final dimensions, structural loading limits, available utilities, and foundation constraints will be provided to Phase 1 finalists. The artwork shall be fabricated of exterior-grade, highly durable, low-maintenance materials suitable for a high-traffic transit environment, with resistance to weather, UV exposure, corrosion, and vandalism. ### Warranty The Contractor warrants that the artwork shall be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the date of final acceptance. ### Eligibility This RFQ is open to qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams. Qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams residing in DC, Maryland, or Virginia will receive an additional evaluation point. Qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or age. This procurement is subject to WMATA's Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program under BPM §7-2-3. ### Project Solicitation Schedule - RFQ Posted - October 14, 2026 - Vendor Questions Submission Deadline - October 29, 2026 - RFQ Closes - November 15, 2026 (11:59 PM EST) - Qualifications Evaluation / Selection of Phase 1 finalists - November 16-December 11, 2026 - Release of additional information to Phase 1 finalists - December 16, 2026 - Site-specific design proposal due - January 14, 2027 (5:00 PM EST) - Phase 1 finalist interviews/presentations - January 19-22, 2027 - Anticipated Award Date - January 29, 2027 - Anticipated artwork completion/installation date - July 1, 2027 ### Budget The Artist/Artist-led Team awarded the contract shall perform and complete the entire project for a firm fixed amount of $330,000. ## Eligibility & Requirements - **Geographic Eligibility:** National - **Disciplines:** sculpture - **Note:** This RFQ is open to qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams. Qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams residing in DC, Maryland, or Virginia will receive an additional evaluation point. Qualified Artists/Artist-led Teams will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or age. ### Additional Requirements ### Phase 1 - A Statement of Interest outlining the Artist/Artist-led Team's interest and experience with similar projects (2,000 characters maximum) - A 1–2-page current résumé (one per team if applying as a team) - Up to 17 images and up to 3 videos of previously completed artworks in the last 10 years - A 1-2 page list with the title, material, location, budget, dimensions, and year created for each work ### Phase 2 (Phase 1 finalists only) - Drawings/renderings illustrating the proposed artwork and its site integration - A written explanation of the proposed artwork and design approach - A detailed preliminary cost estimate not to exceed $330,000, including the Artist's fee (not to exceed 20% of total project cost) - A description of the offeror's experience on similar projects completed within the last 5 years - An itemized cost estimate supported by written vendor estimates - Three references related to projects completed in the last 10 years ## Compensation & Benefits Phase 1 finalists each receive a $3,500 stipend to prepare a Phase 2 design proposal; the awarded Artist's fee is included within the $330,000 firm-fixed-price contract and shall not exceed 20% of the total proposed project cost. **Includes:** Stipend, Commission fee Each Phase 1 finalist will receive a $3,500 stipend to prepare and submit a Phase 2 design proposal. Phase 2 proposals shall include a cost estimate not to exceed $330,000 for the entire project — including artist fee, design, engineering and architectural services, permits, fabrication, concrete base, lighting, shipping, travel, insurance, overhead, installation, public talk and a community engagement activity. The Artist's fee shall not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the offeror's total proposed project cost, which shall not exceed $330,000. The resulting contract will be a firm-fixed-price contract. ## Timeline - **Opens:** October 13, 2026 - **Deadline:** November 15, 2026 - **Program End:** July 1, 2027 ## Contact **Contact:** Dag Andargatchew **Email:** DAndargatchew@wmata.com ## How to Apply Apply at: https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/art-in-transit.html