City Collection Audit Researcher: Extended Submission Period

The City of Pittsburgh's Department of City Planning (DCP) is seeking a qualified City Collection Audit Researcher through RFP #2022-RFP-231(2) to conduct a comprehensive audit of the city's public art collection. The project involves analyzing over 160 permanent and limited-term artworks, monuments, memorials, and historic objects, with a specific focus on identifying inequities within the collection's objects, histories, and practices. The selected researcher will be responsible for a two-phase audit process, beginning with a priority review of flagged works and progressing to a deeper analysis of the entire collection. Qualified candidates must have a background in research or academics, with at least one previous research project completed and preferably some project management experience. The proposal submission deadline is January 27, 2023, at 5:00 pm, with contract award anticipated in February 2023. Evaluation criteria include Background and Statement of Interest (40%), Qualifications and Experience (30%), and Project Approach and Plan (30%). The project requires approximately 10-12 hours of independent work per week, with weekly meetings alongside the Public History, Art, & Design Division (PHAD) and an Advisory Committee, and has a total projected timeline of up to six months.

The City of Pittsburgh demonstrates a strong commitment to diversity in procurement, with specific encouragement for participation from Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. The total compensation for the project is $15,000, which encompasses all project elements, including insurance, travel, and potential subcontractor costs. Payments will be structured in two installments: the first issued after legal agreements are executed, and the second upon successful project completion. No specific incumbent vendors are mentioned in the documentation, and there are no apparent restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond to the RFP beyond the stated qualifications. The procurement appears to be open to individual researchers, academic professionals, and consulting firms with appropriate research credentials. The city's procurement approach emphasizes a comprehensive and equitable review of the public art collection, with a clear focus on uncovering and addressing historical and representational inequities within the city's cultural artifacts.