Pole Camera Installation & Removal Services, IFB # 25EB-003S

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #25EB-003S for Pole Camera Installation and Removal Services, seeking a contractor to install and remove surveillance cameras on utility poles across California for investigative purposes. The contract will span 36 months, covering fiscal years 2025-26, 2026-27, and 2027-28, with CDI anticipating up to seven (7) installation and seven (7) removal services per fiscal year, totaling 42 service requests. Bidders must have at least five years of experience working on utility poles in California, current pole maintenance-access agreements with utility companies, specific Contractor State Licensing Board (CSLB) license classifications, and appropriate insurance coverage. Minimum qualifications include a $25,000 contractor's bond and the ability to coordinate with municipalities and utility companies for pole access. Key submission dates include a written question deadline of June 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM PST, with final proposal submissions due by July 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM PST. The bid will be evaluated based on responsiveness, responsibility, and lowest price, with a proposed bid evaluation on August 1, 2025, potential interviews from August 11-15, 2025, and a notice of intent to award on August 18, 2025.

The procurement includes several preference programs, specifically a 5% preference for small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), with potential additional incentives for DVBE participation. Bidders must complete a Commercially Useful Function (CUF) Certification, demonstrating their substantive role in contract execution by detailing their specific work elements and avoiding excessive subcontracting. The contract requires bidders to provide hourly rates for standard and overtime labor, with travel expenses reimbursed at California Human Resources standard rates. The total contract budget is approximately $50,000 for the three-year period, with services to be charged hourly and including provisions for labor rates and equipment rental. Bidders must submit detailed cost sheets for the primary contractor and any subcontractors, with pricing valid for 90 days from submission. The CDI will require the selected contractor to be present during both installation and removal services to ensure camera equipment operability and recovery. A $25,000 contractor's bond is mandatory, and the contractor must have current agreements with utility companies for pole access.