Ecological Restoration Services

The contract entails a five-year ecological restoration initiative within the Santa Ana River corridor, centered on the Hidden Valley Wildlife Area, with an annual renewal option through March 15, 2031. The primary objective is the sustained reduction of invasive plant species—Giant Reed and Tamarix—to no more than 5% cover using mechanical and chemical methods, with vegetation cutting restricted to September through March and chemical treatments permitted year-round. Concurrently, the contractor must establish and manage a native plant materials program, including the collection of local seed and cuttings, propagation, installation, and irrigation to restore riparian habitats. The work must comply with environmental permits, most notably the CDFW 1602 Streambed Alteration Agreement and NPDES requirements, and adhere to California’s highest professional standards, Best Management Practices, and Integrated Pest Management strategies. Onsite biological monitoring, particularly during nesting seasons for sensitive bird species, is mandatory, and the contractor is responsible for submitting detailed treatment summaries, progress reports, propagation records, and annual monitoring results. Financial reporting requires submission of current balance sheets and income statements dated within the past twelve months. Invoices must be submitted monthly in arrears in duplicate via hard copy or email to the Finance Department, with no automated invoicing systems in use. The estimated contract value is capped at $975,000, though no line-item pricing or committed funding levels are specified. The solicitation requires proposals to be submitted electronically via PublicPurchase.com by September 3, 2026, with a narrative limited to ten pages, excluding resumes, certifications, and attachments. Evaluation considers technical capability, past performance, financial status, references, and overall cost, with failure to meet pass/fail criteria in any of the specified areas resulting in non-responsiveness. The district retains full authority for inspection and acceptance at any point during performance and has audit rights for a five-year period after contract completion. No subcontracting is permitted without prior written approval, and all personnel must be screened against exclusion lists. Proposers are required to submit resumes, certifications, and company stability documentation, though no socioeconomic status claims, UEI, or CAGE codes have been provided in the submission materials. The contract administrator is Tanya Sida, who serves as both the primary point of contact and the designee of the district purchasing agent, with no separate COR or COTR designated.