RFQ 10214356 -Emergency Release Facility Project Restoration

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) is seeking qualified firms to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for environmental and landscape architectural services to support the restoration of small mammal habitat at the Perris Emergency Release Facility Project. The project involves site preparation, native seeding, five years of maintenance activities, remedial measures, and monitoring across approximately 15 acres in the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, addressing mitigation measure BIO-2c from the project's Environmental Impact Report. Key personnel requirements include a Contract Manager, Project Manager, Restoration Ecologist, Field Biologist, Avian Biologist, Small Mammal Biologist, and California Registered Landscape Architect, with minimum qualifications including a degree in botany or ecology and successful experience on at least three similar vegetation projects in arid environments. The mandatory virtual pre-SOQ conference is scheduled for December 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with a written question deadline of December 11, 2025, at 2:00 PM. Statements of Qualifications are due January 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM, to be submitted as four hard copies and one text-readable PDF on a USB flash drive, with interviews estimated for January 16-23, 2026.

The procurement encourages participation from California-certified small businesses and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises (DVBE), with a mandatory disclosure requirement for generative artificial intelligence use. The estimated contract value ranges from $1,000,000 to $10,000,000, with compensation based on the firm's actual costs and a fixed profit rate established by DWR. The contract term is projected to extend from March 19, 2026, through March 18, 2033 (seven years), with annual escalation for hourly billing rates and subcontractor markups specified in Exhibit E. The most qualified firm will be required to submit comprehensive financial documentation, including payroll records, fringe benefit documentation, overhead costs, and compensation policies within five business days of selection. Firms must demonstrate experience with native upland habitat restoration in Southern California, specifically focusing on creating suitable conditions for Stephen's kangaroo rats and Los Angeles pocket mice, with at least one key personnel having a minimum of five years' experience in this specialized field.