*Certified SB/MB or DVBE Only* Tree Trimming, Pruning, and Removal Services in Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne Counties

This contract with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) seeks a certified Small Business (SB), Micro Business (MB), or Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) to provide comprehensive tree trimming, pruning, skirting, removal, chipping, and stump grinding services near energized and non-energized power lines in selected California counties including Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne. The contractor is responsible for all labor, tools, equipment, materials, traffic control, disposal, permits, and incidentals necessary to complete these vegetation management tasks to Caltrans standards, including full cleanup and proper disposal of all debris generated. Work must conform to strict safety and regulatory standards, including OSHA requirements, California licensing, certified arborists, and compliance with Caltrans 2025 Standard Plans and Specifications, as well as SB 1383 organic waste laws. The contract term runs from April 27, 2026, through April 26, 2029, with services awarded through task-specific Service Requests. The agreement caps expenditures at $461,000, with the award being made on a lowest price technically acceptable basis to compliant, responsible bidders. The contractual framework utilizes California state standard forms and clauses with no substitutions allowed, emphasizing strict regulatory compliance and administrative controls. Contractors must possess valid California State License Board certifications (C-61/D-49 or C-31), be registered with the Department of Industrial Relations, and ensure subcontractors are similarly certified as SB/MB or DVBE. Payment bonds are required for task orders exceeding $25,000, and insurance policies must name Caltrans as an additional insured with primary coverage. Administrative requirements include submission of certified payroll, DVBE utilization reports for each invoice, and non-collusion and civil rights certifications. Inspection and acceptance occur at the job site under the oversight of Caltrans representatives, who have authority to reject unsatisfactory work or terminate for default. Submissions must be made electronically via Cal eProcure by May 11, 2026, and the contract emphasizes digital security protocols for data handling but imposes no physical packaging or labeling requirements. The solicitation prioritizes responsiveness and adherence to technical specifications, with award strictly based on lowest cost among compliant bidders, reflecting the State's focus on operational safety, labor law compliance, small business inclusion, and responsible fiscal management.