King Louis XVI Monument Graffiti Removal (Re-Bid)

Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government is seeking a qualified art restoration expert to remove graffiti from a monumental marble statue of King Louis XVI through Request for Proposal (RFP) #260057. The statue, created by sculptor Achille-Joseph-Etienne Valois in 1829, is a white Carrara marble sculpture measuring 11 feet tall and weighing 9 tons, which was removed from public display following protests in 2020. Contractors must have either a Master's Degree in conservation with five years' experience or ten years of relevant conservation experience, and must adhere to American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics. The RFP follows a two-phase process involving an assessment/proposal phase and a service/contract phase, with key milestone dates including bid release on August 11, 2025, a question-and-answer period through September 3, 2025, and proposal responses due September 10, 2025 at 3:00 PM. Proposal evaluation will score submissions based on company experience and references (35 points), timeline for completion (10 points), technical proposal plan/approach (35 points), pricing (15 points), and MWOB/Kentucky Business status (5 points).

The procurement includes set-aside designations with specific diversity goals: 15% for Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), 5% for Female Business Enterprises (FBE), and 0.5% for Handicapped Business Enterprises (HBE). Local vendor preferences provide additional consideration, with 5% bid reductions or point additions during evaluation. While no incumbent vendor is explicitly named, multiple conservation firms have previously assessed the statue, including McKay Lodge Conservation, Venus Bronze Works, Pacific Coast Conservation, and Third Coast Conservation. Previous conservation assessment reports suggest potential restoration costs ranging from $31,500 to $43,500, with additional relocation and interpretive signage expenses potentially reaching $50,000-$60,000. The statue's current valuation is estimated at $65,000 for fair market value and $125,000 for insurance replacement cost, indicating the significance of the restoration project for Louisville's public art collection.