P2025401- North Carrizo Ecological Reserve Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) issued a Request for Proposal for a Permit for Excess Vegetation Disposal on approximately 9,402 acres across six units (Bitterwater, Narrows, Red House, Section 35, Cooper, and Hayes) within the North Carrizo Ecological Reserve in San Luis Obispo County. The procurement seeks livestock owners and operators to conduct vegetation removal through cattle grazing to maintain habitat conditions suitable for the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox, with primary objectives to maintain grass heights under three inches by May 1 annually and an average of 500 pounds per acre of Residual Dry Matter by October. Qualified bidders must demonstrate at least five years of wildlife-friendly grazing practices experience and five years of arid grassland habitat grazing operations experience, provide two references from the past five years (or one from the past two years) attesting to experience on public or conservation easement lands, and possess the ability to respond to emergencies within two hours. The permittee will enter into a five-year permit agreement commencing August 1, 2026, and terminating July 31, 2031, with a 12-month annual grazing period. A mandatory site inspection is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at CalFire Station 42 in Santa Margarita, California, with attendance by the bidder or authorized representative required. Proposals must be submitted by June 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., with one original and five copies required. Evaluation will occur on a 105-point scale assessing required attachments and qualifications (pass/fail), references (pass/fail), disclosure statements (pass/fail), five operational goals addressing grazing management and wildlife protection (20 points each), and proposed fees (5 points).

The RFP does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular organization types or disadvantaged enterprises. The permit utilizes existing infrastructure provided by CDFW, including 22 water troughs and 6 solar pumps, with the permittee responsible for temporary cross-fencing and fencing maintenance. No credit against annual fees will be provided for any contributions or work performed by the permittee. The annual fee will be calculated by multiplying the proposed fee amount per acre per year by 9,402 acres, with payments due annually on July 15; however, the specific budget range or award value is not disclosed in the RFP materials. The permittee must maintain Commercial General Liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 aggregate, Automobile Liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, and Workers' Compensation coverage, with the State of California named as an additional insured. The CDFW reserves the right to reject all proposals and is not obligated to award the permit.