Graffiti Abatement Services

The City of Santa Cruz, California is soliciting proposals under RFP No. CMO-0326 for graffiti abatement services, with a non-mandatory pre-proposal meeting on November 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams and proposals due November 17, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Local business and locally-owned business certifications may qualify for 2% and 4% preferences, respectively.

The work covers graffiti removal within City limits and on water equipment and property in water service areas outside City limits, using paint with up to a 99% color match, water or pressure washing, and abatement chemicals. Covered surfaces include sidewalks, bridges, medians, paths, fences, light poles, street signs, trees, and sewer outlets. The selected vendor must respond to approximately 70 graffiti reports monthly, within 24 hours for gang and hate-crime graffiti and 48 hours for other reports, and provide emergency on-call services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Deliverables include monthly work order reports with before-and-after photos and quarterly Best Management Practice evaluation reports. Minimum qualifications require at least three years of graffiti abatement experience, sufficient qualified personnel, and demonstrated experience with government institutions of similar or larger scope. Contractors must comply with prevailing wage requirements, California Department of Industrial Relations registration, and the City's Living Wage Ordinance, and must provide proof of insurance and performance and payment bonds.

The contract runs approximately one year, with three optional one-year renewals at the City's discretion. Proposers must submit a comprehensive cost proposal covering direct labor, overhead, fringe benefits, profit, subcontractor costs, materials, supplies, taxes, and travel. The lowest responsive proposal receives full pricing weight, and others are scored proportionally. Evaluation weights are: RFP requirement adherence (5%), firm background (10%), firm qualifications and experience (15%), team qualifications (20%), technical approach and work plan (25%), cost proposal (20%), and references (5%).

Clarification questions are due November 6, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., with City responses provided by November 12, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the City's e-Procurement Portal.