Electrical-box art wraps delayed after no local bids; city to use state roster

Staff updated the Arts Commission that a previously announced local quote process for wrapping several utility/electrical boxes produced no submissions and that the city will next advertise the work through the Washington State MRSC Small Works roster.

Brandon (city staff) corrected an earlier statement and said the initial procurement was a quote process limited to local vendors because the project was below the formal bidding threshold. “We did not receive any of the quotes. Nobody submitted a quote by the end of by 2PM on March 27,” Brandon said, explaining why the commission must now expand outreach to the statewide roster.

City staff said they will keep the target completion date of September 1 and continue with the plan to wrap about three to four boxes this year, with the project issued on the state roster so any qualified vendor statewide can submit. Staff said a vendor who missed the first deadline may be able to bid on the statewide roster if it is listed there.

Commissioners discussed alternatives such as applying a colored wrap with adhesive artwork applied afterward, but staff cautioned that changing the specification still requires following procurement and small-works rules. Staff said they will post the project on MRSC once staff responsible for procurement returns from leave and will notify the commission of timelines.

Commissioners and staff agreed the project is feasible in the May–September window if procurement proceeds, and they noted the work will likely be done in phased batches over multiple years (about three to four boxes per year) until all boxes are completed.