P2025105 Request for Proposal Tehama Wildlife Area - Durley Flat

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking proposals for a Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal through grazing on the Durley Flat Allotment within the Tehama Wildlife Area, located in Tehama County. This Request for Proposal (RFP) seeks experienced livestock owners and operators to conduct cattle grazing for vegetation management and deer winter range habitat restoration across approximately 2,680 acres. Bidders must demonstrate a minimum of ten years of experience with wildlife-friendly grazing operations on public or conservation easement protected lands and possess the ability to respond to emergencies within two hours during the grazing period. The mandatory site inspection is scheduled for October 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with proposals due by October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The evaluation and ranking will occur on November 3, 2025, with a proposed award date of November 12, 2025, and a proposed project commencement on December 1, 2025. The permit will have a four-year and seven-month term, terminating on June 30, 2030, with an annual grazing period of four months from January 15 through May 15. Proposals will be evaluated on a 140-point scale, with 10 points allocated for the proposed fee based on a comparative ratio to the highest bid submitted.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Bidders must submit one original and three copies of their proposal package, with all submissions required to be under sealed cover or risk rejection. The annual fee will be calculated by multiplying the proposed fee amount by 2,680 acres and the four-month grazing period, with five annual fee payments required. The first payment is due by November 15, 2025, or upon permit execution, with subsequent payments due December 31 of each year through 2029. Permittees must maintain residual dry matter between 446 and 800 pounds per acre by May 15 annually. The CDFW makes no warranties regarding site conditions, fencing, water availability, or infrastructure. Bidders must also provide at least one reference with a supporting reference letter. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the proposal evaluation includes a fee-based scoring component that will factor into the overall selection process.