6024-004 DPR Onyx Ranch Abandoned Mine Remediations

The California Department of Conservation (DOC), on behalf of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), is seeking a qualified contractor to remediate physical safety hazards associated with seven abandoned mine features located in the Onyx Ranch State Vehicular Recreation Area in Kern County. This public works Invitation for Bid (IFB) requires a contractor with specific expertise in abandoned mine remediation, capable of installing bat gates, culvert gates, and fencing across four distinct mine sites. Mandatory qualifications include three references demonstrating similar remediation work, and the jobsite foreman must possess MSHA Form 5000-23 (40-hour) certification. A mandatory pre-bid walkthrough is scheduled for December 3, 2024, at 7:00 AM, requiring high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicles and over two miles of off-trail hiking. Bid questions are due by December 9, 2024, with agency responses provided by December 12, 2024, and final bids due on December 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive responsible bidder, with the performance period spanning from January 2025 through December 31, 2025.

The solicitation includes several set-aside and preference provisions to support small and disadvantaged businesses, including a 5% small business preference and 1-5% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentives. All contractors and subcontractors must be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations as public works contractors at the time of bid submission. Contractors are required to carry specific insurance coverages, including commercial general liability ($1M per occurrence/$2M aggregate), business automobile liability ($1M), workers compensation, and aircraft liability ($5M) if helicopters are used. A tribal monitor from the Kern Valley Indian Community must be present for all ground-disturbing activities, and a State Parks staff archaeologist will also be on-site. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the detailed bid sheet includes nine distinct tasks with individual pricing requirements, suggesting flexibility in overall project scope and potential contract value. Bidders must provide unit pricing for each task, with the understanding that any items listed as $0.00 will be considered services provided at no additional cost to the Department.