Walker Grade Fire Risk and Fuels Reduction Project

The County of Madera, in partnership with the Yosemite Sequoia Resource Conservation and Development Council, is seeking a professional forester or consultant to provide environmental review and CEQA compliance services for the Walker Grade Fire Risk and Fuels Reduction Project. The project involves creating a 120-acre, 200-foot-wide shaded fuel break along a six-mile corridor of North Fork Road to mitigate wildfire risk. The selected consultant will be responsible for developing and filing all necessary CEQA documentation, such as Notices of Exemption or Initial Studies, planning and flagging treatment areas, participating in bid walks, and monitoring implementation to ensure adherence to California Forest Practice Rules and CAL FIRE grant requirements. This is a best-value procurement with a budget capped between $35,000 and $41,200, funded by a CAL FIRE Wildfire Prevention Grant. Proposals are due by July 29, 2026, and the contract requires all deliverables to be completed no later than January 9, 2027, with a preference for completion within six to nine months. Evaluation is heavily weighted toward the ability to meet this aggressive timeline and the qualifications of the project team, specifically requiring a California Licensed Registered Professional Forester. Priority consideration is given to businesses with a Madera County tax base or those certified as minority, women, or disabled veteran-owned. Contractors must maintain comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability, automobile, and errors and omissions.