10210086 Vegetation Management Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #10210086 for vegetation management services targeting restoration properties in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The solicitation covers four specific properties totaling 3,100 acres: Decker Island (140 acres), Lower Yolo Ranch (1,937 acres), Winter Island (584 acres), and Yolo Flyway Farms (439 acres). Required services include mechanical vegetation control, herbicide applications using backpack and drone methods, and potentially helicopter applications, with a focus on managing invasive and non-native plant species. Bidders must possess a Qualified Applicator Certificate and Pest Control Aircraft Pilot Certificate, and demonstrate extensive experience in integrated vegetation management within wetland and tidal environments. The contract term is one year with potential for two additional one-year renewals, with bids due by June 3, 2025, and a bid opening scheduled for June 4, 2025. The anticipated contract start date is August 2025, with key deliverables including spot spraying, mechanical control methods, and comprehensive reporting on vegetation management activities.

The procurement includes a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program participation requirement with a 3% goal, which provides opportunities for qualifying veteran-owned businesses. Bidders must submit detailed resumes, current licensing documentation, and demonstrate specialized knowledge of native and invasive plant species specific to the San Francisco Estuary region. The contract includes a lump sum annual cap of $5,000 per property for vegetation management tasks, suggesting a total potential annual contract value around $20,000. Qualified respondents will need to prove technical expertise in ecological management, familiarity with delta region ecosystems, and the capability to execute precise vegetation control strategies. While no incumbent vendors are specifically mentioned, the solicitation indicates a structured procurement process designed to select a contractor with sophisticated environmental management capabilities and precise operational skills in sensitive ecological zones.