Ifpq-SB/MB option- mulch application in LOS angeles county

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is issuing an Invitation for Price Quote (IFPQ) for mulch application services in Los Angeles County, specifically on Highway 405 at Post Mile R21.15-23.35. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide all labor, equipment, tools, materials, supplies, permits, and incidentals necessary to apply approximately 9,000 cubic yards of tree wood mulch at three inches thick to Caltrans right-of-way areas on sloped terrain. The contractor must deploy three mulch blower trucks with a minimum of two personnel per truck, with each truck capable of applying approximately 300 cubic yards of mulch per day as a minimum. The mulch specifications require shredded wood mulch or orchard tree mulch in Stonewood or Double Blonde color, containing at least 95 percent by volume of wood strands with specific dimensional requirements. Work shall be performed during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., excluding State holidays, with Caltrans providing all traffic control. The estimated agreement commencement date is May 4, 2026, with expiration on May 3, 2029. The solicitation deadline for written questions is March 19, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, with final price quote submissions due by March 26, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, and an estimated award date of March 31, 2026. Bidders must be located within 100 driving miles of 5360 West Imperial Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90045, and possess a current and valid C-27 Landscaping license from the Contractors State License Board, along with valid Department of Industrial Relations registration at time of bid submittal and continuously throughout the agreement term.

This solicitation is restricted exclusively to certified Small Businesses (SB), Micro Businesses (MB), Small Businesses for the purpose of public works (SB-PW), or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBE) registered with the California Department of General Services, with SB/MB/SB-PW or DVBE certification required at bid submittal and continuously throughout the contract term. Caltrans must receive at least two price quote submissions from certified SB/MBs or DVBEs before making an award. No subcontracting is permitted under this agreement. State Prevailing Wage rates apply if the total bid exceeds $15,000; otherwise, prevailing wage language will be removed prior to award. Insurance requirements include General Liability coverage with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation coverage. A Payment Bond for 100 percent of the Service Request price is required if any individual Service Request price exceeds $25,000. The total bid may not exceed $461,000, with pricing submitted on a per-unit basis for the 9,000 cubic yard requirement.