IFB 10221985 for four-wheel drive safety training

The California Department of Water Resources is requesting bids for four-wheel-drive safety training services under IFB 10221985, with bids due October 20, 2026 and a public bid opening on October 21 at 1:00 p.m. PST. Small business and disabled veteran business enterprise preferences apply: certified small businesses receive a 5% preference, non-small businesses receive a 5% preference when subcontracting at least 25% to a certified small business, and DVBE incentives of 3% to 5% are optional and voluntary.

The scope calls for two-day training sessions accommodating up to twelve DWR employees per session, with an anticipated need of approximately ten classes per year for an estimated maximum of thirty classes over the three-year contract term. Training will be conducted at Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area in Northern California or Hungry Valley SVRA in Southern California, as DWR determines. The curriculum addresses vehicle limitations, driver capability, terrain and environmental risk assessment, basic vehicle recovery, and environmentally responsible off-road operations.

Bidders must demonstrate at least five years of documented experience in 4WD/off-road vehicle operation and instruction, plus instructor certification from a recognized 4WD/off-road driving or vehicle safety organization. The contractor must furnish proof of general liability insurance with limits not less than $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, and assume all costs including travel, equipment, materials, curriculum development, instructor fees, and venue fees. DWR reserves the right to cancel a scheduled course up to seventy-two hours prior to start date with no cancellation fee; cancellations with less than seventy-two hours notice may trigger reasonable and documented cancellation cost responsibility.

Evaluation is on a lowest responsible bidder basis meeting specifications. Technical questions are due October 5, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PST, with answers disseminated by October 9 at 3:00 p.m. PST. The anticipated contract start date is January 2027.