Bangor Cultural Commission to revise restroom-art RFP after single bid disqualified; staff outlines procurement and funding options

The Bangor City Cultural Commission discussed next steps for a public-restroom art request for proposals after staff reported a single bid was disqualified and recommended using alternatives to the city's formal public-bid process.

Sarah McQuillan, assistant in the Community and Economic Development Department, told the commission: "So, there was only 1 bid received, which unfortunately had to be disqualified because it wasn't submitted correctly." She said finance staff advised that the commission "don't have to go through the city's public bid process" for this project and that the commission could instead use a call for submissions, direct outreach to schools or artists, and the commission's own communication channels.

The change would give the commission more flexibility to reach high-school and college art programs and community organizations; commissioners suggested reaching out to local schools, Bangor Beautiful and other partners to encourage student and teacher…