P2024102 Invitation for Bid Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area Balls Ferry Wetland Unit 1 and 2 Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking bids for a five-year Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal through grazing on approximately 275 acres at the Mouth of Cottonwood Creek Wildlife Area's Balls Ferry Wetland Units 1 and 2 in Shasta County. The contract requires vegetation management across three specific areas: 130 acres for yellow star thistle control, 145 acres of irrigated pastures, and 10 acres for blackberry control. Key objectives include grazing yellow star thistle to less than 6" height, maintaining irrigated pastures with 2-5" stubble height, and reducing blackberry patches by 75%. A mandatory site inspection is scheduled for January 15, 2025, at 9:00 AM, with bids due by January 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The bid opening is set for January 30, 2025, with a proposed award date of February 7, 2025. Qualified bidders must provide comprehensive insurance documentation, including Commercial General Liability coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1 million, and Workers' Compensation coverage.

The procurement does not specify any specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The successful bidder will be required to pay an annual permit fee based on their bid amount, with five annual installments beginning April 1, 2025. Additionally, the permittee must pay irrigation fees to the Anderson Cottonwood Irrigation District, estimated at $12,750 annually ($135 application fee plus $87 per acre for 145 benefited acres). The contractor will be responsible for maintaining fences, controlling livestock, and meeting specific vegetation management goals. CDFW will monitor compliance through vegetation surveys and photo monitoring. While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the permit includes a comprehensive Operations Plan requirement and gives CDFW the right to inspect operations and terminate the permit with 90 days notice. The overall contract value will be determined by the winning bid, with the primary focus on effective vegetation management and ecological maintenance of the wildlife area.