Wildfire Fuel Reduction Vegetation and Tree Removal Services in Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting bids under IFB 06A3342 for wildfire fuel reduction vegetation and tree removal services in Fresno, Tulare, and Kern Counties, with written questions due November 12, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. and bids due November 24, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. The solicitation carries a 5% Small Business preference, which bidders claim by holding Department of General Services certification as a Small Business (SB) or Micro Business (MB), or by committing to subcontract at least 25 percent of the net bid price to certified SBs or MBs. It also mandates a 5% Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) participation requirement.

A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for November 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams. Work areas are viewable through a GIS project view and a dashcam playlist linked in the solicitation.

The contractor must furnish all labor, materials, tools, equipment, travel, and disposal fees for mission-critical vegetative fuels reduction along SR 168, SR 180, SR 198, SR 190, SR 5, and SR 178 across Federal Responsibility Areas and State Responsibility Areas in Caltrans District 06. Estimated quantities are 1,100 acres of fuel reduction, 35 trees for removal at 10 inches diameter breast height or greater, and 3,500 hours of traffic control. The contractor is responsible for disposal of vegetation residue, including developing disposal sale agreements. Minimum qualifications include a valid Motor Carrier Permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles, current Department of Industrial Relations registration, a C-61/D-49 or C-49 license from the California Contractors State Licensing Board, and a California Licensed Timber Operator (LTO-A) certificate. Bidders must provide proof of insurance and comply with California Environmental Quality Act and Federal Endangered Species Act restrictions.

The contract is financed with State funds. The term runs January 4, 2027 through June 30, 2028, with an estimated award date of December 14, 2026. Work occurs Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Prevailing wage applies if the bid total exceeds $15,000. A DVBE incentive of up to 5% is available based on verified DVBE participation, capped at $100,000 in total combined incentives. No change orders or quantity modifications to the bid proposal are permitted.