P2025106 Request for Proposal Tehama Wildlife Area - North Fork Allotment

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has issued a Request for Proposal (P2025106) for a Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal through cattle grazing on the North Fork Allotment of the Tehama Wildlife Area in Tehama County. The procurement seeks a livestock owner/operator to manage grazing on approximately 2,276 acres with non-exclusive rights, focusing on wildlife-friendly grazing practices. Bidders must have a minimum of ten years of experience managing grazing operations on public or conservation lands and demonstrate the ability to respond to emergencies within two hours. The proposal requires a detailed grazing plan that maintains between 446 and 800 pounds of residual dry matter per acre, with specific emphasis on protecting riparian and wetland areas. Key evaluation criteria include the proposed per-acre fee, operational experience, and compliance with ecological management standards. A mandatory site inspection is scheduled for October 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in Paynes Creek, California, with proposal submissions due by October 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The evaluation process will occur on November 3, 2025, with potential interviews on November 4, 2025, and final selection announced on November 7, 2025.

The contract does not specify specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The permit term will be four years and seven months, commencing December 1, 2025, and terminating on June 30, 2030, with an annual grazing period of four months (January 15 through May 15). While no incumbent vendor is mentioned, the successful bidder must provide comprehensive insurance documentation, including Commercial General Liability insurance with $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate limits, Automobile Liability insurance of $1,000,000, and Workers' Compensation coverage. The annual fee will be calculated by multiplying the proposed per-acre fee by 2,276 acres and the four-month grazing period, with payments due annually in November 2025 and December 2026 through 2029. Only cattle may be used for grazing, and the permittee must strictly adhere to the specified ecological management requirements. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the contract provides a framework for calculating the annual fee based on the bidder's proposed rate per acre.