Senate Art Committee reviews draft RFP for two Senate chamber busts; agrees budget range, timeline and next steps

The Massachusetts Senate Art Committee met to review a draft request for proposals to commission two busts — honoring Elizabeth Freeman and Annabeth Adams — for display in the Senate chamber and agreed on key procurement parameters, including a target budget, installation specifications and a timetable for soliciting artists.

The committee’s chair, Senator Cyr, said the Senate “chose not 1, but 2 extraordinary women, Elizabeth Freeman and Annabeth Adams,” and described the meeting’s purpose as finalizing an RFP, agreeing evaluation criteria and developing a shortlist of artists to invite to submit proposals.

Committee members focused first on budget. The draft RFP lists an $80,000 cost estimate per bust; committee members agreed to keep $80,000 as the target while allowing flexibility up to the $100,000 procurement threshold that would trigger a different solicitation process. Committee staff said the RFP can ask bidders to explain any cost overruns and reserve the senate’s right to revise the cap based on submissions received.

The group discussed which costs must be covered by the senate versus the artist. Susan Greendike of the State House…