Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area Agricultural Lease L2024301

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is seeking a lessee to conduct an agricultural operation on approximately 2,051.3 acres of property within the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area (YBWA) in Yolo County, California. The proposed agricultural activity must be consistent with the overall goals of flood control and management of habitat for ecological value and public use, following the guidelines described in the YBWA's Land Management Plan. Key objectives include using farming activities to encourage and support wildlife habitat through practices such as providing waste grain and water distribution. The CDFW is accepting proposals until July 29, 2024, and a mandatory pre-proposal site inspection is scheduled for June 21, 2024. The 5-year lease agreement is intended to be awarded on August 27, 2024, with the successful bidder required to begin operations no earlier than March 1, 2025 and end no later than November 30, 2026. Bidders must meet minimum qualifications related to experience with public/conservation land farming, wildlife-friendly farming practices, and emergency response capabilities. Proposals will be evaluated and ranked based on qualifications, proposed operations plans, and lease rate, with the annual lease rent calculated based on the bidder's proposed rate per acre per year.

There are no set-aside designations or restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond to this opportunity. The CDFW has not identified any incumbent vendors or current contractors, and there is no existing infrastructure or technology that requires integration. The CDFW has not provided a specific award value or budget range for this contract opportunity.