P2024205 Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking a permit holder for excess vegetation disposal through grazing at the Crocker Meadows Wildlife Area in Plumas County. The procurement is for a non-exclusive grazing permit covering approximately 1,670 acres of the Crocker South Unit, with the primary objectives of maintaining and enhancing deer summer range while protecting habitats. The permit term runs from June 1, 2025 to December 31, 2026, with three potential one-year extension options, and allows for 45 Animal Units (AU) per month over a four-and-a-half-month grazing period, totaling 202.5 AUs annually. A mandatory site inspection is scheduled for January 8, 2025 at 11:00am, with proposal submissions due by January 24, 2025 at 3:30pm. The evaluation criteria totals 150 points, with 40 points allocated to the proposed fee per AU per month, and the remaining points assessed on qualifications, experience, and proposed approaches to vegetation management, riparian protection, wildlife impact reduction, and predator interaction management. Additional requirements include participation in wolf-livestock interaction research and maintaining specific Residual Dry Matter (RDM) targets of 1,000 lbs/acre on 0-10% slopes and 1,250 lbs/acre on 10-40% slopes.

The solicitation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions for specific types of organizations. Potential bidders must demonstrate comprehensive insurance coverage, including $1-3 million in commercial general liability insurance, $1 million in automobile liability, and $1 million in workers' compensation coverage. All insurers must be rated at least A--/FSC Class VII by A.M. Best Company. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, bidders will be required to propose a fee per Animal Unit per month, which will be a key factor in the evaluation process. The permit requires compliance with detailed operational requirements outlined in the DFW 587 Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal template, including environmental protection measures, livestock management protocols, and specific property maintenance standards. The successful bidder will need to submit comprehensive documentation, including a Certificate of Liability Insurance, endorsements, and other required insurance documentation as specified in the Land Use Agreement Insurance Guide.