Wild-Seed Cone Sampling and Collection Services

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is soliciting bids for Invitation for Bid (IFB) Number 8CA07206, seeking a contractor to perform Wild-Seed Cone Sampling and Collection Services across the state. The primary objective is to sample and collect cone crops from various conifer species that have been previously surveyed and monitored by CAL FIRE, with contractors required to tag and identify cones for transportation to the Lewis A. Moran Reforestation Center (LAMRC) for seedling propagation and wildfire reforestation efforts. The contract will run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028, with services to be provided on an on-call basis, Monday through Sunday, from sunrise to sunset, including state and federal holidays. A mandatory pre-bid teleconference is scheduled for April 16, 2025, and all bids must be submitted by April 24, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The bid includes a detailed rate sheet with per-bushel pricing for collecting seed cones from species such as sugar pine, ponderosa pine, and Jeffrey pine, with estimated annual quantities to be determined based on actual usage and current federal standard rates.

The solicitation encourages participation from small businesses, disadvantaged businesses, and disabled veteran businesses, offering a 5% preference for small businesses. While there is no specific Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goal, DVBE participation is strongly encouraged. The total contract amount is not explicitly defined, with actual costs to be calculated based on actual service usage. The procurement process is designed to be inclusive, providing opportunities for diverse business enterprises to participate in the critical work of forest restoration and seed collection. Potential bidders should be prepared to demonstrate capabilities in cone sampling, identification, and transportation, with the ability to work across various California forest regions and meet the stringent requirements of CAL FIRE's reforestation efforts. The contract represents an important initiative in California's ongoing forest management and wildfire recovery strategies, offering a sustainable approach to forest regeneration through systematic seed collection and propagation.