IFB Maintain Existing Planting Area Along Route 20, Nevada County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB #03A4121) for landscape maintenance services in Nevada County. The project involves maintaining existing planted areas along Route 20 from Post Miles 25.6 to 39.8 as part of the Omega Curves project mitigation planting (EA 03-2H62U4). The contractor must provide all labor, tools, materials, equipment, travel, and incidentals necessary to ensure survival of existing plants and establishment of native vegetation cover. Key deliverables and services include initial site meetings and inspections, water pollution control program implementation, irrigation facility checks and repairs, temporary traffic control for shoulder closures, and maintain existing planted area (MEPA) services with quarterly progress reporting on plant health and survivorship. The prime contractor must possess a valid and current C-27 (Landscaping Contractor) license from the California Contractors State License Board, and either the prime contractor or subcontractor must hold a current C-31 (Traffic Control Contractor) license; all bidders must maintain valid Department of Industrial Relations registration and comply with prevailing wage reporting requirements. The solicitation is open as of March 25, 2026, with written questions due by April 3, 2026 at 5:00 p.m., final bid submission deadline on April 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m., bid opening at 2:30 p.m. the same day, and estimated award date of April 30, 2026. The agreement is estimated to commence on May 18, 2026 and expire on December 17, 2026, with services provided during normal working hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except State holidays.

Prevailing wage requirements apply to this federally-funded agreement if the total bid amount exceeds $15,000, with both State General Prevailing Wage Rates and Federal Prevailing Wage Rates applicable to the work under Davis-Bacon Act provisions. The contractor must maintain general liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability coverage of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and statutory workers' compensation coverage. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to Senate Bill 1383 regarding organic waste recycling, maintenance of State-owned data security standards, Title VI non-discrimination assurances, and all applicable environmental and safety regulations. Bid pricing must include all costs for labor, equipment, materials, travel, insurance premiums, and applicable taxes, with the State reserving the right to reject all bids and award the agreement to the lowest responsible bidder meeting all specifications and qualifications. No incumbent vendor or specific budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents. This is a competitive procurement open to all qualified bidders meeting the licensing and insurance requirements, with no specific set-asides for disadvantaged enterprises mentioned in the available documentation.