C15E0034 Tehachapi Vista Point Trail Rehabilitation Services

The California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking a qualified contractor for the Tehachapi Vista Point Trail Rehabilitation Services project located at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve. The procurement is an Invitation for Bids (IFB) with a bid submission deadline of March 3, 2016, at 2:00 PM PST. The comprehensive project requires the contractor to perform extensive native plant management, including salvaging existing plants, collecting native seeds, propagating and growing plants offsite in containers for 9-20 months, and providing onsite planting and maintenance. Key deliverables include complete plant management from collection through 24-month maintenance, with specific milestone payments tied to seed collection, containerization, plant installation, and maintenance periods. The contractor must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years of experience growing native plants in the Fairmont and Antelope Buttes area and must have completed at least two large projects involving approximately 20,000 plants. Evaluation criteria include technical capability, experience in native plant restoration, and the ability to meet specific project requirements such as maintaining 70% native vegetation coverage and adhering to strict plant salvage and replanting protocols.

The procurement is specifically restricted to certified Small Businesses with the State of California that possess a valid California nursery license. The contract has a total duration of 1,460 calendar days (4 years) from the Notice to Proceed date, with a maximum project disturbance area of 2 acres. Required insurance includes $1 million per occurrence/$2 million aggregate general liability, $1 million motor vehicle liability, and workers' compensation coverage. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the project involves multiple payment stages with incremental funding tied to project milestones. Contractors must comply with strict environmental and technical specifications, including limitations on vehicle access (no vehicles allowed on the 5-foot wide trail), plant salvage constraints, and requirements for replanting all disturbed areas, including temporary access roads and staging areas. The project emphasizes local ecological preservation and native plant restoration in the Antelope Valley region, with a focus on maintaining the natural landscape's integrity while creating an accessible trail environment.