Habitat Restoration at the Dean Mitigation Site in San Diego, CA

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is issuing Invitation for Bid #11A2389 for habitat restoration maintenance at the Dean Mitigation Site in San Diego, California, located east of Interstate 5 between Del Mar Heights Road and the I-5/San Dieguito Lagoon Bridge. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive habitat restoration services, including removal of non-native weeds, irrigation of native plants, dispersal of native seeds, and trash and debris removal. Contractors must possess a C-27 (Landscaping) license and demonstrate 5 years of experience in Southern California coastal sage scrub restoration. An optional site inspection is scheduled for March 2, 2016, at 10:00 AM, with bid submissions due March 8, 2016, at 2:15 PM and bid opening at 3:00 PM. The proposed contract term spans from April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2020, with contractors responsible for providing all necessary labor, tools, equipment, materials, parts, and supplies for the habitat restoration project.

The procurement includes a 25% Small Business (SB) participation goal and features a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) incentive program with potential incentives ranging from 1% to 5% based on DVBE participation levels. Contractors must submit Qualified Applicator Certificates (QAC) and possess a Qualified Applicator License (QAL) for pest control-related work. The project requires payment of prevailing wages and a payment bond for contracts exceeding $25,000. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the comprehensive four-year contract suggests a substantial investment in habitat restoration. The irrigation system will utilize water from Caltrans' freeway right of way system, with water fees paid directly by Caltrans rather than the contractor. Bid pricing will be evaluated based on specific line items, including separate hourly labor rates and unit prices for materials such as seeds.