IFB Application of Pre-Emergent and Contact Herbicides, San Diego County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), Division of Procurement and Contracts, is requesting bids on the application of pre-emergent and contact herbicides across approximately 1,200 acres of bare and landscaped areas within Caltrans rights-of-way in San Diego County under IFB 11A4417, with bids due July 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. A 5% small business preference applies to certified small businesses or micro-businesses; a 5% non-small business preference applies to contractors committing to subcontract at least 25% of net bid price to certified small or micro-businesses; and a disabled veteran business enterprise incentive program provides incentive percentages ranging from 1% to 5% based on verified DVBE participation levels, with a combined incentive and preference cap of $100,000.

The contractor must provide all labor, tools, materials (except herbicides), equipment, and travel to spray pre-emergent and contact herbicides for weed control, fire prevention, flood prevention, erosion control, and roadside vegetation preservation. Work is performed on an on-call, as-needed basis at various locations throughout San Diego County during standard working hours of 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The contractor must spray a minimum of four acres per day using hand application methods requiring a minimum of two employees. Caltrans provides water, herbicides, and traffic control.

Bidders must hold current and valid Qualified Applicator Licenses or Certificates from the California Department of Pesticide Regulations and maintain valid Department of Industrial Relations registration. Pricing shall be submitted on a per-acre basis for all labor, equipment, tools, incidentals, move-in, move-out, mixing, and application services. Prevailing wage requirements apply if the total bid amount exceeds $15,000. The contractor must provide commercial general liability with pesticide/herbicide applicator coverage ($1,000,000 per occurrence, $2,000,000 aggregate), automobile liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), and workers' compensation insurance.

The agreement term is estimated to commence August 1, 2026 and expire July 31, 2029, pending Department of General Services approval. Written questions are due June 24, 2026. Bid opening is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on July 2, 2026, with an estimated award date of July 16, 2026.