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Request for Proposals for Agricultural Leases in the Natomas Basin

RFP 2026-002

August 17, 2026

Submit to: ELECTRONIC RESPONSES MUST BE SUBMITTED VIA THE

OPEN GOV PROCUREMENT ELECTRONIC BIDDING PORTAL

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/saccounty/projects/284796

Applicants shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at https://procurement.opengov.com/signup Once you have completed account registration, browse back to the main page, click on "Submit Response” and follow the instructions to submit the electronic submittal.

RFP 2026-002 Natomas Basin Agricultural Leases

Introduction The Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency (SAFCA) invites you to submit a proposal to lease agricultural lands at various locations in the Natomas Basin, in northwestern Sacramento County and southeastern Sutter County (see Figure A1). SAFCA has assumed long term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) obligations for specific areas in these general locations, many of which include mitigation sites that were established to compensate for habitat impacts resulting from flood system infrastructure improvements. SAFCA is required to ensure that these mitigation sites continue to meet performance criteria per statutory regulatory permits. To meet these requirements, portions of these lands are kept in agricultural production to provide foraging habitat for Swainson’s hawk and habitat for other species listed under the federal and state Endangered Species Acts.

Proposals may be for one (1) property, all seven (7) properties, or any subset of properties that the applicant chooses. Selection of a lessee for each property will be done on a property-by-property basis. An applicant may be selected to enter a lease for all, some, or none of the properties for which they submitted a proposal, but reflecting the applicant’s proposed property grouping(s).

SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS

SAFCA is accepting electronic proposal submissions. Proposers shall create a FREE account with OpenGov Procurement by signing up at procurement.opengov.com/signup. Once you have completed account registration, browse back to the project page, click on "Draft Response", and follow the instructions to submit your electronic proposal. Proposals and any associated materials described in Section 4.0 must be received BEFORE 5:00 pm on Friday, September 18, 2026 electronically via OpenGov. Failure to submit a proposal on time and as directed may be grounds for rejection of the proposal; however, SAFCA reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to accept proposals after the proposal due date.

OpenGov Project Portal:

https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/saccounty/projects/284796

Questions concerning this RFP must be submitted in the project Q&A section in OpenGov Procurement by 5:00 PM on September 4, 2026. Questions received via phone or e-mail to direct points of contact for this RFP will not be considered nor responded to. SAFCA shall respond to questions properly submitted as described above via the OpenGov Q&A section and/or via an addendum. Unauthorized contact regarding the RFP with other SAFCA employees or contractor may result in disqualification. Any oral communications shall be considered unofficial and nonbinding on SAFCA.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

EVENT DATE TIME

1 RFP Issued August 17, 2026

2 RSVP Deadline for Site Visit August 24, 2026 5:00 PM

3 Optional Site Visit for Applicants August 26, 2026 9:00 AM

4 Question Submission Deadline September 4, 2026 5:00 PM

5 Responses to Questions Issued September 11, 2026 5:00 PM

6 Proposal Submissions Due September 18, 2026 5:00 PM

7 Interviews, if required September 23-25, 2026

8 Preliminary Selection September 30, 2026

9 Anticipated SAFCA Board Authorization of Lease Agreement

October 15, 2026

10 Leases Effective January 1, 2027

SAFCA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to adjust this schedule as it deems necessary.

SAFCA may also amend this RFP at any time, including through response to questions received through the procurement portal.

This RFP is organized in the following sections:

1.0 Lease Specifications

2.0 Properties Included

3.0 Measurement, Payment, and Term

4.0 RFP Submittal Requirements

5.0 Selection Process

6.0 Lease Agreement

7.0 Attachments

1.0 Lease Specifications

1.1 Description of Activities:

Agricultural leases will be for cultivated agriculture operations on the agricultural fields in the listed properties (Figure A1 and Table 1) with maintenance responsibilities for infrastructure associated with the agricultural operation, including: irrigation system maintenance and operation;

invasive/noxious weed control using mechanical and/or chemical methods; trash and debris removal; fence and gate maintenance; farm road maintenance; and general site maintenance.

Agricultural leases shall be for a period of five (5) years commencing on January 1, 2027 and ending December 31, 2031. Regular communication/meetings with SAFCA staff will be an integral part of project activities.

1.2 Scope of Work/Activities:

The agricultural lease includes responsibility for maintaining lands and infrastructure associated with the agricultural operations, including:

A. Fence and gate repair, B. Farm road maintenance to maintain access and prevent erosion, C. Mowing for weed control, fire control, and improving raptor foraging habitat, D. Control of noxious weeds and invasive plants (including, but not limited to cattail, yellow star-thistle, medusahead grass, and barb goatgrass). Management activities may include:

a. Application of herbicides

b. Manual/mechanical removal

c. Mowing, E. Establishing fire breaks, F. Maintaining irrigation channels and infrastructure, G. Acquiring and purchase of any necessary irrigation water, and

H. If any agricultural fields are left fallow: plowing, planting cover crops and/or native grasses, and mowing for weed abatement.

The agricultural lease is strictly for activities directly related to and in support of agricultural crop production. Recreation, hunting, agri-tourism, on-site farm stands, and other commercial uses are prohibited.

1.3 Lessee Qualifications and Experience

All agricultural producers that meet the minimum qualifications are eligible, and for the purpose of this request, an eligible respondent is defined as:

A. A single producer or operator, B. A partnership or company, C. A corporation or association, D. A non‐profit organization, or E. A university or educational institute/organization.

Potential agricultural lessees will be required to submit a Statement of Qualifications that describes how they meet each of the following minimum qualifications:

A. Two years of experience in agricultural production, B. Possession or the ability to source the necessary equipment for agricultural production, and

C. Possess or are able to secure the services of a Pesticide Applicator.

D. Meet the minimum insurance requirements as described in Exhibit C (Agreement Template).

1.4 Pre-Proposal Site Visit

All applicants are encouraged to attend the pre-proposal site visit to become familiar with the conditions and requirements present at each site. A description and directions to each site will be provided at the pre-proposal site visit. The optional two-hour pre-proposal site visit will be held on Wednesday August 26, 2026. Contact SAFCA to RSVP by 5:00 PM on August 24, 2026 for meeting time and location. Jennifer Heredia, Contract Specialist,

(916) 874-8704 or herediaj@saccounty.gov

Directions from Sacramento:

Alleghany Tract: Take I-5 from Sacramento heading north and then merge onto I-80 West and exit W El Camino Ave and stay to the right heading west. Then turn right onto El Centro Rd going north, then turn left onto San Juan Rd. The San Juan Rd entrance to the site will be on the right at 38.627328, -121.557422.

To reach the Radio Rd entrance to the site, continue along San Juan Rd and then turn right onto Garden Hwy. Then turn right onto Radio Rd and the entrance to the site will be on the right at 38.634563, -121.559783.

Novak: Take Garden Hwy heading north and turn right onto Power Line Road and then turn right onto Del Paso Rd. The site entrance will be on the right at 38.656299, -121.570772.

Hewitt: Take Garden Hwy heading north and turn right onto the unnamed road at 38.656540, -

121.602957. The site entrance will be on the right at 38.656419, -121.602113.

Pappa Rosa: Take Garden Hwy heading north and turn right onto W Elkhorn Blvd. The site entrance will be on the right at 38.685123, -121.630030.

South Sutter: Take Garden Hwy heading north and turn right onto the unnamed road at 38.687530, -121.632365. The site will be on the right at 38.689668, -121.631313.

Brookfield Rice (Site 1): Follow I-5 N and take exit 525B for CA-99 N toward Yuba City/Marysville. Take exit 316 for Howsley Rd and turn right onto Howsley Rd. The site entrance will be on the right at 38.823331, -121.530213.

Brookfield (Site 3): Follow I-5 N and take exit 525B for CA-99 N toward Yuba City/Marysville.

Take exit 316 for Howsley Rd and turn right onto Howsley Rd. Turn right onto Natomas Road, then left onto Fifield Rd. The site’s entrance will be on the left after crossing Steelhead Creek at 38.809118, -121.516194.

1.5 Quality Assurance & Agency Coordination

The Lessee shall email a quarterly operations summary to SAFCA and inform SAFCA and its land preserve manager of any important issues that arise during the reporting period, which shall include the following:

• The status of the sites, i.e. changes in site conditions;

• The agricultural activities that occurred during that reporting period for each site; and,

• Anticipated activities for the following reporting period.

Exceptional events, such as wildfire, homeless encampments, and illegal activities shall be communicated to SAFCA immediately, and included in the quarterly operations summary.

Suggestions for changes in agricultural management may be included in the reports. The Lessee must obtain approval before implementing any proposed changes. If a critical need arises, the Lessee shall contact Matt DeGroot (SAFCA, Real Estate Manager) immediately at (916) 874-8716 or degrootm@saccounty.gov.

The Lessee shall be available to conduct monthly site visits and attend periodic meetings called at the discretion of SAFCA, with SAFCA staff and/or SAFCA’s consultant responsible for managing the agricultural lands, to inspect work performed by the Lessee and to determine future management actions.

Point of Contact

SAFCA:

Matt DeGroot, Real Estate Manager

(916) 874-8716 degrootm@saccounty.gov

SAFCA mainline (916) 874-7606 mailto:degrootm@saccounty.gov

Preserve Manager:

Joseph Huang Biologist and Project Manager, ESA (916)564-4500 JHuang@esassoc.com

Industry Standards Anything customarily necessary or as requested by SAFCA, based on agricultural standards, for proper completion of the agricultural operations and not otherwise addressed in this RFP or the contract, shall be furnished and performed by the Lessee even though not contained in the specifications.

Supervision The Lessee is solely responsible for direct supervision of the Lessee's personnel or subcontractors while operating on the Agricultural Properties

1.6 Legal Issues and Potential Conflict of Interest

No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, be discriminated against in the admission or access to, or be discriminated against in treatment or employment in SAFCA’s contracted programs or activities on the grounds of disability, age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other classification protected by federal or California law; nor shall they be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in the performance of contracts with SAFCA or in the employment practices of SAFCA’s contractors. Accordingly, all organizations entering into contracts with SAFCA shall, upon request, be required to show proof of compliance with such nondiscrimination policies and regulations and to post in conspicuous places, available to all employees and applicants, notices of nondiscrimination.

Responding organizations/persons represented by personnel with a disability may receive accommodation regarding the means of communicating to this RFP and participating in this procurement process. Responding organizations/persons represented by personnel with a disability should contact the RFP Coordinator as provided in the submittal instructions to request reasonable accommodation no later than the deadline for questions detailed in the Schedule of Events.

The proposals must list any investigations of the organization/person and any enforcement, settlements, or disciplinary actions taken within the past five years by any regulatory body. Any potential conflicts of interest with SAFCA, its staff or Board should also be identified.

2.0 Properties Included

There are 7 properties throughout the Natomas area associated with this RFP (Figure A1) totaling approximately 460 acres. From South to North, these are:

1. Alleghany (Figure A2) Alleghany Tract is a 32-acre field. It is currently fallow. Water is sourced by a valve on the northwestern portion of the property. Water access is shared with the mailto:JHuang@esassoc.com neighboring farmer to the east, and with approval from SAFCA, the Lessee will have to coordinate their watering and farming operations with the neighbor. Water is sent down to the southern half of the property through the same valve and goes into a V-shape ditch that goes diagonally from northwest to southeast.

2. Novak (Figure A3) Novak is a 50-acre field currently row crops. Irrigation water for Novak is supplied by a turnout from the Riverside Irrigation Canal, operated by NCMWC, and is conveyed to the agricultural fields in the Novak Supply Channel. The Lessee will purchase irrigation water from NCMWC for agricultural crop production on Novak, under existing landowner/shareholder rights owned by SAFCA.

3. Hewitt (Figure A4) Hewitt is a 26-acre field that is currently fallow. The Lessee will purchase irrigation water from NCMWC for agricultural crop production on Hewitt, on an as-available basis, and will need to improve irrigation infrastructure, in cooperation and with the approval of SAFCA, to deliver water to this property. The property may also be dry-farmed.

4. Pappa Rosa (Figure A5) is a 44-acre field currently in row crops. Irrigation water for Pappa Rosa is supplied by turnouts from the Elkhorn Irrigation Canal, operated by NCMWC. The Lessee will purchase irrigation water from NCMWC for agricultural crop production on Pappa Rosa, under existing landowner/shareholder rights owned by SAFCA.

5. South Sutter (Figure A6) is a 62-acre field currently row crops. Irrigation water for South Sutter is supplied by turnouts from the Elkhorn Irrigation Canal, operated by NCMWC. The Lessee will purchase irrigation water from NCMWC for agricultural crop production on South Sutter, under existing landowner/shareholder rights owned by SAFCA. There is also an agricultural well on the site capable of producing a flow of approximately 1,600 gpm. The existing submersible pump and motor produces about 400 gpm. The Lessee would be responsible for the costs of installing a larger pump and motor if desired.

6. Brookfield Rice, Site 1 (Figure A7) is a 202-acre parcel with 4 fields of about 180-acres total leveled for rice. Currently, these fields are fallow as a result of poor timing to farm rice last year and this year. Rice production on the fields should be rotated annually or biannually. The Lessee will purchase irrigation water from NCMWC for rice crop production, on an as-available basis, or through an agreement negotiated separately with the neighboring landowner (Brookfield Holdings) for groundwater.

7. Brookfield, Site 3 (Figure A8) is a 49-acre field currently in row crops. Irrigation water is supplied from a well in the northeast corner of the property. The lessee will be responsible for costs of operating the well.

3.0 Measurement, Payment, and Term

3.1 Measurement & Basis for Payment

Payment shall be made to SAFCA annually, prior to January 1, for each field under lease.

3.2 Lease Rates

The applicant’s lease rate is dependent on the property and crop type grown. Please see Table 1 below, which are the current lease rates, to determine the annual payment terms for each property of: either a fixed dollar amount per acre each year, a percentage of the gross proceeds from sale of the crop each year, or the greater value of each.

TABLE 1: AGRICULTURAL FIELDS AVAILABLE FOR PROPOSALS IN THIS RFP

Property

Estimated Acres

Available1

Allowable Crops Lease Rate Basis

Alleghany 32 Low growing crops2 The greater of $250 per farmable acre or 10 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

Novak 50 Low growing crops2 The greater of $250 per farmable acre or 10 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

Hewitt 26 Unrestricted 12 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

Pappa Rosa

44 Low growing crops2 15 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

South Sutter

62 Low growing crops2 15 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

Brookfield Rice (site 1)

202 Rice in rotation with low-growing crops or cover crops

$100 per planted acre

Brookfield (site 3)

49 Low growing crops2 15 percent of the gross proceeds from crop sales

1Estimated acres and may include some access roads and ditches.

2Low growing crops appropriate for Swainson’s hawk foraging habitat include tomatoes, beans, beets, potatoes, melons, squash, pumpkins, and alfalfa. Wheat, oats, milo sorghum, and barley are also permissible. Other crops may be allowed with prior consultation with and approval by SAFCA. Orchards, vineyards, corn, sunflower, and safflower are not allowable.

4.0 RFP Submittal Requirements

All interested applicants shall submit proposals pursuant to the submittal instructions on page 2 of this RFP. SAFCA will review the submitted proposals and evaluate them to determine which meets the requirements of the RFP and provides the best value and will optimize the achievement of land management objectives for the sites. This analysis will be based on the degree to which the proposal clearly communicates superior team qualifications, approach, and cost.

4.1 Transmittal Letter

The proposal shall include a transmittal letter signed by a person authorized by the organization to undertake projects and enter into contracts. The letter shall include the name, address, email address, and phone number of the organization’s primary contact person. The primary contact person should be able to answer questions on the submittal, arrange an interview, and manage contract negotiations.

4.2 Organization/Qualifications

The proposal shall include a no longer than four-page statement indicating which property or group of properties the applicant is proposing to farm and describing the applicant’s experience and capacity to meet the minimum qualifications described in this RFP.

The proposal shall demonstrate the applicant’s experience with agricultural production and possession or ability to obtain adequate farm equipment to farm the properties.

The proposal shall include a description of the proposed agricultural production to demonstrate alignment with the allowable crops in Table 1 and coverage of maintenance responsibilities discussed in Section 1.2 (Scope of Work/Activities).

The proposed agricultural activity discussion shall include plans for obtaining irrigation water and any associated agricultural leases for neighboring properties that may be necessary or beneficial for the agricultural production on the proposed property, recognizing that arrangements for outside irrigation or activities on adjacent fields may be adaptive and may be modified as conditions change.

4.3 References

The proposal shall include two references in the past five years or one reference in the past two years that can attest to the applicant’s experience in agricultural production. The proposal shall include contact information on the responsible manager/landowner, including name, current address, current telephone number, and current email address (if available) of references.

4.4 Insurance

The proposal shall include a summary of the applicant's insurance coverage including public liability, automobile, workers' compensation, and environmental liability. The proposal shall include a summary of the applicant’s ability to have in place all necessary insurance coverage and limits under SAFCA’s standard contract terms, which are attached hereto as Exhibit B.

5.0 Selection Process

SAFCA will select the most qualified applicant that proposes to complete the requested scope of farming activities. SAFCA may request interviews with all or a subset of the applicants if, in SAFCA’s opinion, an interview would enable a more complete evaluation of otherwise closely-ranked submittals or if a clarification of responses would help with the selection. The proposals will be scored using the contents of the proposal as described above and other information such as might be provided during interviews, if they are held. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of three criteria, weighted in the selection decision as follows:

• 30% Past experience with conservation-oriented agricultural practices,

• 30% References from past agricultural leases and the ability of the applicant to adequately meet contract terms in a timely manner, and

• 40% Feasibility of the agricultural proposal to be implemented and to meet the allowable crop types and management responsibilities.

SAFCA reserves the right to reject any proposals received for any reason, to negotiate and enter an agreement with any qualified applicant, or to cancel the process. All proposals and material submitted to SAFCA will become the property of SAFCA and be subject to public disclosure, and submittal of an RFP will be considered proof of consent to such disclosure. SAFCA is not liable for any costs incurred in the preparation and submittal of a proposal.

SAFCA reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the leases at its sole discretion based on the proposals received. SAFCA staff will advise all RFP submitters on the relative ranking of the proposals. The final selection of applicant will be subject to approval by the SAFCA Board of Directors.

6.0 Lease Agreement

After the proposals have been evaluated by SAFCA, the RFP Coordinator will invite the best-evaluated applicant for each property, or group of properties, to participate in negotiations with SAFCA. SAFCA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to negotiate with the apparent best-evaluated applicant.

The apparent best-evaluated applicant shall be prepared to enter into a lease agreement with SAFCA which shall be substantially the same as the Lease Agreement Template included in Exhibit C of this RFP. Notwithstanding, SAFCA reserves the right to add terms and conditions, deemed to be in the best interest of SAFCA, during final lease agreement negotiations. Any such terms and conditions shall be within the scope of the RFP and shall not affect the basis of proposal evaluations.

The lease agreement will be for the period from January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2031, subject to renewal, or termination for non-performance.

SAFCA staff will make a recommendation to the Board on award of a lease or rejection of the proposals, in accordance with applicable SAFCA contracting policies and authorities.

7.0 Attachments

Exhibit A. Agricultural Field Locations

Exhibit B. Insurance Requirements

Exhibit C. Lease Agreement Template

1.6 Legal Issues and Potential Conflict of Interest