Special Observances: Diversity Custom Spotlight Artwork 2027-2029

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colorado, is requesting proposals to commission original artwork and related creative assets supporting its Diversity Spotlight initiative for calendar years 2027–2029, with proposals due August 31, 2026. Contract 126DH011 carries no stated small business enterprise participation goal.

The scope requires professional digital illustration and graphic design services to create production-ready artwork honoring civil rights, cultural heritage, and equity-focused observances including Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, Transit Equity Day, Women's History Month, Pride Month, and Juneteenth. Deliverables must be original, compatible with Adobe Illustrator for scalability, and free from third-party intellectual property restrictions. Contractors must demonstrate professional experience in digital illustration and graphic design, cultural competence, Adobe Illustrator proficiency, and familiarity with accessibility best practices and RTD branding standards. Work is performed remotely with electronic submission; contractors provide all necessary hardware, software licenses, and equipment. Artwork may be created using digital illustration, hand-drawn techniques, mixed media, or AI-assisted tools, provided final products are original and created exclusively for RTD.

The annual allocation is $10,000 for artwork services, with compensation structured as fixed-price per artwork suite. RTD retains the right to award to a single contractor or multiple contractors based on programmatic needs, artistic approach, and capacity. The contract effective date is December 15, 2026, or upon final execution by RTD, whichever is later, with an initial one-year performance period and two optional one-year renewal periods exercisable by RTD with 60 days' written notice. RTD may extend the contract an additional six calendar months using pricing from the immediately preceding period.

Upon acceptance, RTD receives exclusive ownership and unlimited usage rights, including public display for promotional purposes in perpetuity, while the contractor retains rights to use the work for personal and promotional purposes on the contractor's website and social media. RTD requires Commercial General Liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate and Umbrella/Excess Liability of $5 million per occurrence / $5 million aggregate. The project manager is Gisa McCray Simmons, Outreach Specialist with RTD's Civil Rights Division.