Title
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS WITH KARPOWICZ STUDIOS LLC AND METHODS AND MATERIALS INC., FOR PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION SERVICES
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To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
To: The Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the General Superintendent and CEO or his designee enter into a contracts with Methods and Materials Inc., and Karpowicz Studios LLC, to install public art, monumental sculpture and visual art, along the lakefront and in neighborhood parks. Moreover, it is recommended that competitive bidding be suspended because in this case because the specialized skill and experience of these contractors makes it appropriate to retain these contractors without competitive procedures, pursuant to Chapter XI, Section D, b, (2), (f), (iii) of the Code of the Chicago Park District.
II. Award Information
Contractor: Methods and Materials Inc.
1749 North Harding
Chicago, Illinois 60647
Majority Interests: Carmella Seraceno 51%
Roger Machin 49%
Contractor: Karpowicz Studios LLC
1219 West Lake St.
Chicago, Illinois 60607
Majority Interest: Terrence Karpowicz 100%
Contract Amount: Annual aggregate not-to-exceed $377,000.00 between the two contractors. This amount may increase subject to the annual appropriation and/or receipt of possible private donations.
Contract Period: One (1) year initial contract term, with four (4) additional one (1) year extension options.
Scope of Services: To install and remove public art and sculpture of local, regional and international artists and sculptors.
Affirmative Action
Goals: Pursuant to Chapter XI, Section F, 2, a, of the Code, the Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise participation requirements are not included, however, Methods and Materials Inc. is a City of Chicago certified WBE.
Authorization: Authorize the General Counsel to include other relevant terms and conditions in the written Agreement(s). Authorize the General Superintendent to execute the Agreement(s) and the Secretary to attest as to the signing of the Agreement(s) and keep an original copy of the Agreement(s) on file.
III. Budget and Financial Information
Budget Classification: Operating Funds
Fiscal Year: 2015
Source of Funds: 001.8450.8450.624005.00001.001.001.001
IV. Procurement Information
The installation and removal of public art and sculptures is specialized work and requires expertise in art aesthetics and technical acumen relating to construction and engineering, material knowledge, rigging, and detailed assembly. Additionally, the installation of art outdoors also requires knowledge working in and solving problems in different environments. The foregoing means that artists, galleries, and institutions seek to entrust their artwork to firms with this full range of expertise and experience.
Both Karpowicz Studios and Methods and Materials have over 30 years' experience in the installation and removal of art, predominately outdoors. They also have vast experience with large-scale sculptural installations, which is the focus of the CPD's and City of Chicago's public art installations. Moreover, artists and galleries request that these firms install and remove their artwork and sculptures. Last year, nearly 50 pieces of art or sculptures were installed throughout the City and Park District, and these firms installed and removed them. Though there is another local firm that could provide these services, they specialize in art moving and interior/applied-building installations, not with outdoor sculpture. So, if, in a special circumstance this firm were to contract for an outdoor installation, they would likely subcontract either Methods and Materials, Inc., or Karpowicz Studios for the work.
Currently, the Chicago Park District ("CPD") does not have a contract for the installation and removal of public art and sculpture. These services are needed immediately so that the 2015 art installations along the lakefront and in neighborhood parks can commence without delay. Further, the CPD needs to maintain the same high level of performance for the 2015 installations. Lastly, the Department of Purchasing will work with the Department of Natural to draft and advertise a solicitation for the procurement of these services beyond 2015.
Accordingly, as a result of the foregoing and pursuant to Chapter XI, Section D, 1, b, (2), (e) of the Code of the Chicago Park District it is in the best interest of the CPD to suspend competitive sealed bidding for this procurement.
V. Explanation
In late 2013 and through 2014, sculpture by some of the world's most esteemed international and regional contemporary artists were installed along the lakefront and in the downtown core. These include works by: Alice Aycock, Christopher Wool, Robert Lobe, Orly Genger, Steinunn Thórarinsdóttir, Hebru Brantley, Matthew Hoffman, Indira Johnson and Ai Weiwei. Further, 2014 art installations included those at 15 Park District cultural centers. Overall, in 2014 nearly 50 pieces of sculpture were installed and removed by either Methods and Materials, Inc. or Karpowicz Studios, LLC.
Both firms have an excellent record of installing and removing art and sculpture in the Chicago Park District and the City. They provide all required services and insurance necessary such as cranes and all other equipment, site preparation, and maintenance. They are experienced and skilled in handling art and sculpture, and simultaneous multiple installations. Further, their reputation is such that galleries, institutions, and artists all recognize these firms as highly qualified and capable of installing and removing art and sculpture. Additionally, they will also be able to expeditiously install and remove the art and sculpture which is essential to multiple art installations and removals. Lastly, having highly experienced and knowledgeable firms responsible for the 2015 art and sculpture installations and removals will aid the Chicago Park District in managing the public art program budget and also allow for possible further public art development district wide.
Both of these firms are very qualified, experienced, and capable to install and remove art and sculpture in the Chicago Park District. Therefore, it is in the best interests of the Chicago Park District to enter into contracts with Methods and Materials, Inc., and Karpowicz Studios, LLC for public art installation services.
VI. General Conditions
1) Conflicts: The Agreement(s) shall not be legally binding on the Chicago Park District if entered into in violation of the provisions of 50 ILCS 105, the Public Officer Prohibited Activities Act.
2) Ethics: The Chicago Park District's Ethics Code, Chapter III of the Code of the Chicago Park District, shall be incorporated into and made part of the agreement(s).
3) Contingent Liability: Any agreement lawfully entered into for a period of more than one year shall be executory only for the amounts for which the Park District may become liable in succeeding fiscal years pursuant to 70 ILCS 1505/17(i). The agreement(s) shall contain a clause that any expenditure beyond the current fiscal year is subject to appropriation in the subsequent fiscal year budget.
4) Economic Disclosure Statement ("EDS"): Contractor may be subject to a full and complete EDS prior to execution of the contract(s).