Veterinary Services

The City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department—Animal Care Services Bureau is requesting proposals for veterinary services across three service categories with proposals due September 3, 2025. The RFP was released July 23, 2025; questions are due August 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. A local preference program awards five extra credit percentage points to businesses with a principal place of business in Long Beach and a current business license, and an additional five points (ten total) if the business operates from a non-residential commercial location.

The scope encompasses three distinct service lines: General Veterinary Practice (wellness exams, vaccinations, parasite control, routine surgeries, dental cleanings, radiographic diagnostics); Specialty Veterinary Practice (board-certified internal medicine, orthopedic surgery, cardiology, neurology, dermatology, ophthalmology, advanced dentistry, radiology, exotic animal medicine, and emergency/critical care); and High-Volume Spay/Neuter Services (HQHVSN protocols with mobile or on-site clinic capabilities). The City intends to award contracts to multiple vendors to ensure comprehensive coverage.

Minimum qualifications require California veterinary licensure (DVM or specialty board certification as applicable), access to required equipment and staffing, compliance with all state and federal animal care standards, business qualification in the City of Long Beach, and absence of government debarment. Required insurance includes $1 million commercial general liability per occurrence/$2 million aggregate, workers' compensation at $1 million, professional liability at $1 million per claim, and commercial automobile liability at $500,000 combined single limit if vehicles are used.

The initial contract term is two years with options to renew for three additional one-year periods, not exceeding five years total. Proposals are evaluated on organizational capacity and experience (30% weight), method of approach (40%), communications and reporting (20%), and reasonableness of cost (10%). Payment is due within 30 calendar days of invoicing. The Equal Benefits Ordinance applies to contracts valued at $100,000 or more. Proposals must be submitted electronically via LongBeachBuys.com and include narrative proposal, itemized Excel cost proposal by scope and month, financial statements, and required certifications.