Weed Abatement and Irrigation System Repair, Replacement, and Upgrade Services in Kings County

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 6 is soliciting bids through Invitation for Bid (IFB) 06A3253 for weed abatement and irrigation system repair, replacement, and upgrade services in Kings County, including Kingsburg City and Kings Beach CDP. The scope of work includes invasive species eradication on approximately 0.25 acres using mechanical and chemical treatment methods, planting of approximately 2.0 acres of ice plant groundcover, replacement of one booster pump at Site 84 on Westbound 198, upgrade of three irrigation controllers at Sites 75, 76, and 80 on State Route 198, and provision of traffic control services for shoulder and lane closures on Caltrans District 6 property. Contractors must furnish all labor, materials, parts, supplies, equipment, disposal fees, tools, travel, traffic control, incidentals, permits, licenses, and certifications necessary to complete the services. The contract requires bidders to submit unit prices for five line items: invasive species eradication per acre, plant groundcover per acre, booster pump replacement as a lump sum, irrigation controller upgrades per unit, and traffic control per hour, with a maximum total bid proposal of $461,000.00. Work will be performed Monday through Friday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., excluding State holidays, with an estimated contract commencement date of April 1, 2026, and expiration date of June 30, 2027. The written question submittal deadline is February 19, 2026, with bids due by 2:00 p.m. on February 26, 2026, followed by bid opening at 2:30 p.m. (note that Addendum No. 2 extends the bid submission deadline to March 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.). Required qualifications include a valid Department of Industrial Relations registration, a Class A General Engineering Contractor license or C-27 Landscaping Contractor license from the California Contractors State License Board, and compliance with all applicable prevailing wage and labor code requirements. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$2,000,000 aggregate, automobile liability of $1,000,000 combined single limit, workers' compensation with employer's liability of $1,000,000, and pollution liability of $1,000,000 per incident/$2,000,000 annual aggregate.

A 25 percent Small Business participation goal is in effect for this contract, and a 3 percent Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation is required, with a DVBE Incentive Program offering potential incentive amounts ranging from 1 to 5 percent based on verified DVBE participation levels. State General Prevailing Wage Rates apply to this agreement, and payment bonds of 100 percent are required if the bid amount is $25,000 or more. The estimated award date is March 9, 2026, with award to the lowest responsive bid from a qualified, responsible contractor. No incumbent vendors or existing contractors are referenced in the solicitation documents. The total bid proposal must not exceed $461,000.00, representing the maximum budget range for this procurement.