Rancho Potrero Prescribed Grazing Project

The Rancho Potrero Prescribed Grazing Project is a service-based solicitation issued by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in Thousand Oaks, California, under solicitation number 20260727005, with a response deadline of August 21, 2026. The project aims to manage vegetation and reduce fuel loads through prescribed grazing, primarily using sheep to target grass-dominated areas, with operations staged in fall 2026 for thatch reduction and spring 2027 for suppression grazing. Performance will occur at the Rancho Potrero Trailhead and surrounding areas, with specific exclusion zones defined by maps provided as reference attachments. Contractors must comply with federal, state, and local laws including California’s prevailing wage requirements, OSHA standards, and DIR registration, while also adhering to ecological performance standards such as residual thatch levels and timing grazing to coincide with the reproductive cycles of non-native grasses. The contract requires proposers to submit a comprehensive proposal including a cover letter, work plan, tentative schedule, estimated labor hours, qualifications, and disclosure of negative history. Mandatory submissions include a Non-Collusion Affidavit, Levine Act Disclosure Form for campaign contributions over $500 within the past 12 months, and a completed IRS Form W-9. Insurance requirements are stringent, mandating $2 million in commercial general liability, $1 million in auto and pollution liability, $1 million in employer’s liability, and $1 million in professional E&O coverage, with COSCA named as an additional insured and a five-year extended reporting period. Subcontracting is prohibited without prior written approval, and all records must be retained for four years. Evaluation will be based on a best-value trade-off model weighing project understanding, personnel qualifications, past experience with COSCA and related agencies, innovation, schedule reasonableness, and cost competitiveness, with no disclosed weighting or scoring criteria. Award is not guaranteed to the lowest bidder. The contract may extend beyond 2026 until all work is completed, may be terminated by COSCA with 30 days’ notice, and requires full compliance with accessibility standards for digital content. Proposals must be submitted electronically via the City of Thousand Oaks eProcurement portal, and no physical submissions or late filings are accepted.