Treatment Services for Spongy Moth, 25-0132

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) No. 25-0132 for Treatment Services for Spongy Moth in Los Angeles County, targeting jurisdictions including Los Angeles County, Lake Los Angeles CDP, Los Angeles City, and East Los Angeles CDP. The procurement seeks a contractor to provide comprehensive pesticide application services, specifically ground application of treatments like Thuricide BT to control spongy moth populations. Required qualifications include possessing spray trucks with minimum 150-gallon capacity tanks, bucket and scissor lifts for trees over 60 feet, and personnel with current pesticide safety certifications, including a licensed Pest Control Advisor. The contract will commence on February 1, 2026, or upon final Department of General Services approval, and initially extend through May 31, 2026, with potential two-year renewal options. Key submission deadlines include January 15, 2026, for written questions, January 20, 2026, for question responses, and January 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT for sealed bid submissions. Evaluation will consider cost proposal components including per-gallon application rates, daily operation rates, pesticide unit pricing, and Pest Control Advisor hourly rates.

The solicitation includes a three percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation commitment, which is required for bid responsiveness, with potential incentives for qualifying bidders. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including Commercial General Liability ($1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate), Automobile Liability ($1,000,000 combined single limit), Workers' Compensation, and Pollution/Environmental Liability ($1,000,000 per incident/$2,000,000 aggregate). The contract imposes liquidated damages of $1,000 per day per spray truck for operational delays or late reporting. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the cost proposal document requires detailed pricing across multiple service categories, including spray truck application, lift operations, pesticide supplies, and Pest Control Advisor services. The solicitation emphasizes that no minimum treatment hours or pesticide volumes are guaranteed, indicating potential variability in the contract's actual monetary value. Contractors will be responsible for all operational costs, including equipment maintenance, pesticide spill cleanup, hazardous waste disposal, and medical requirements.