The Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks), Oceano Dunes District located in San Luis Obispo County, CA is issuing this RFP-Primary to receive Proposals from qualified firms (Proposers) to provide Weed Abatement Services. The objective of this contract is to restore the ecological integrity and function of the native habitat through the eradication and/or control of several exotic invasive plant/weed species that have established within the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area ODSVRA) and Pismo State Beach (PSB) located in San Luis Obispo County with the Oceano Dunes District (ODD). The Agreement period will start upon DGS approval of the Agreement and will extend 36 months (3 years). Contractor shall be responsible for completing all work identified in the specifications and in the time identified despite the variability of weather or accessibility at the site. The three (3) targeted plants scheduled for spraying during the thirty-six-month duration of the Weed Contract are: European beach grass (Ammophila arenaria), ice plant (Carpobrotus edulis and Carpobrotus chilensis), and perennial veldt grass (Ehrharta calycina). Please note ODSVRA, PSB, and OFL contain numerous sensitive habitats and are home to several threatened and endangered plants and animals. In addition, there are several extremely sensitive cultural sites that cannot be disturbed. Park staff will mark these cultural and listed species sites prior to commencement of weed work. These sites are considered confidential and the Contractor shall keep the confidentiality of these locations. The Contractor shall exhibit the utmost care in working in the dune systems to avoid sensitive plants, animals, habitats, and cultural resources. This award will be determined through the Request for Proposal (RFP): Primary Method where proposers submit their cost detail/bid form ¿separately¿ from other proposal documentation and labeled ¿Sealed: Cost Proposal¿. All proposals are evaluated on a ¿pass/fail¿ basis to determine if the minimum qualifications and requirements are met; all proposals that meet the minimum qualifications and requirements will then have cost details/bids opened and reviewed. Note: Firms that demonstrate they exceed the minimum qualifications or requirements will not receive higher scores or points. The contract shall be awarded to the responsible and qualified proposer offering the lowest cost for its services. Potential Bidders should review the attached bid package in its entirety, which includes details of project scope of work, minimum qualifications and work conditions, treatment schedules, and maps of treatment areas. Bid Package also provides detailed proposal and submission instructions, required forms, evaluation procedures, and award process. Note: The DVBE participation requirement is waived, however the DVBE incentive still applies to this RFP. KEY RFP DATES 11/06/2026- RFP Advertisement Opening 11/20/2026- Questions Submissions Due from Prospective Bidders 11/25/2026- Responses to bidder questions posted on event page 12/04/2026 @ 2:00pm: PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS DUE 12/09/2026- Notice of Intent to Award 12/16/2026- Award Minimum Qualifications Required A. Qualified Applicator License: Contractor must hold a California pest control business license, which requires that at least one individual employed by the business be in possession of a Qualified Applicator License (QAL, as defined by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.) 1. The Contractor¿s staff providing services on-site at ODD shall collectively hold QAL¿s in each of the following pest control categories, and furnish copies of valid licensure with bid submissions: a. Category A - Residential, Industrial, and Institutional Pest Control Applicable areas within ODD include: non-landscaped staff housing, parking lots and storage yards. b. Category B - Landscape Maintenance Pest Control Applicable areas within ODD include: campgrounds, gardens and other landscaped areas. c. Category C - Right-of-Way Pest Control Applicable areas within the ODD include: roads and landscaping associated with rights-of-way. d. Category D - Agricultural Pest Control [Plant] Applicable areas within ODD include: non-crop wildland areas. e. Category F - Aquatic Pest Control Applicable areas within ODD include: creek channels and other aquatic areas. 2. All licenses must be issued by the State of California, be registered in San Luis Obispo County, and be of current status. B. Experience: The Contractor shall provide evidence of a minimum of five years¿ experience successfully working to control invasive exotic plant species in sensitive habitats within the Guadalupe - Nipomo Dune Complex or a similar dune ecosystem within the State of California. 1. Evidence of minimum experience must demonstrate the contractor¿s ability to: a. Identify native dune flora and fauna, including the following designated Federally endangered and State threatened plants, which are located within the ODSVRA and PSB: i. Nipomo Mesa lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) listed as Federally Endangered. b. Surf thistle (Cirsium rhothophilum), listed as State Threatened. c. Beach spectaclepod (Dithyrea maritima), listed as State Threatened. 2. Conduct herbicide treatment that limits the impact on native dune species and dune habitats, and within occupied habitat of the designated Federally endangered and State threatened plants, which are located within the ODSVRA and PSB listed above (Section B, Article 1a, subparagraph i-iii). C. The contractor shall provide three (3) professional references, (including name, contact information, and a brief description of the scope of work) for similar weed abatement projects (within the last 5 years) that supports the Contractor meeting the minimum experience requirements listed in Section B. The total dollar value for the Agreement resulting from this RFP is not to exceed $280,000.00. Please submit questions to
contact@example.gov
