Notice of intent – Sole Source – Works of Art (sculpture)

The Department of State, specifically the U.S. Consulate General in Merida, Mexico, has issued a Special Notice of Intent to Sole Source a contract for a textile sculpture titled "SENDA ANCESTRAL EN LUZ" by artist Marcela Diaz. The procurement will be awarded to FUNDACION CENTRO CULTURAL LA CUPULA, which is identified as the exclusive provider of this specific artwork. The contract is for the Art in Embassies program, aimed at acquiring a unique textile sculpture for display at the new U.S. Consulate in Merida. The total estimated value of the artwork is $36,700 USD, and the procurement is being conducted under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.302-1, which allows for sole-source acquisition when only one responsible source exists. The solicitation was published on December 27, 2024, with a response deadline of January 11, 2025.

The purpose of this Special Notice is to procure a specific textile sculpture made of henequen and sansevieria fiber that has been spun, looped, braided, and hand-hooked, which will contribute to the diplomatic mission's cultural exchange efforts. Interested parties may submit capability statements within seven calendar days of the notice's publication, with all responses to be sent to Dennis Monschein at MonscheinDR@state.gov. While the procurement is sole-sourced, the government is still required to provide an opportunity for other potential vendors to demonstrate their capability to provide the artwork. The delivery will be FOB destination at Calle 60 Av. Prolongacion Paseo Montejo #1 in Merida, with payment terms of NET 30 days through electronic transfer. The solicitation is unrestricted, meaning any vendor can potentially respond, though the government has determined that FUNDACION CENTRO CULTURAL LA CUPULA is the only source for this specific artwork. Market research for this procurement included reviewing contemporary art journals, attending art fairs, and consulting with field experts to validate the sole-source determination.