Placer Resource Conservation District: Request for Proposals for the North Fork Shaded Fuelbreak - Phase III Project

NORTH FORK AMERICAN RIVER SHADED FUELBREAK - PHASE III
PLACER COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Auburn, CA
Request for Proposals (RFP)

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Table of Contents
SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................... 4
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS .............................................................................................................. 4
A. RFP Schedule ............................................................................................................................ 4
B. Questions .................................................................................................................................. 5
C. Field Meeting ............................................................................................................................. 5
D. Proposal Submittal ..................................................................................................................... 5
E. Proposal Format ......................................................................................................................... 5
F. Required Proposal Content ......................................................................................................... 6
G. Evaluation Process..................................................................................................................... 9
H. Award of Contract .................................................................................................................... 10
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES ................................................................................. 10
SCOPE OF WORK ............................................................................................................................. 10
A. PROJECT AREAS ................................................................................................................... 10
B. TREATMENT SPECIFICATIONS ............................................................................................ 11
Flagging Scheme ............................................................................................................................ 11
Mechanical Treatment .................................................................................................................... 11
Hand Cut and Pile ........................................................................................................................... 13
Lop and Scatter .............................................................................................................................. 13
Pile Burning Assistance .................................................................................................................. 14
Incidental Hourly Hand Treatment and Chipping ............................................................................. 14
C. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ........................................................................................ 14
General: .......................................................................................................................................... 14
Ground Impacts: ............................................................................................................................. 14
Noise: ............................................................................................................................................. 15
Transportation and Traffic: .............................................................................................................. 15
Impacts on Wildlife: ......................................................................................................................... 15
Impacts on Plants ........................................................................................................................... 16
Impacts on Cultural Resources: ...................................................................................................... 16
Exposure to Smoke, Dust and Fumes ............................................................................................. 16
Watercourse Protections: ................................................................................................................ 17
D. INSPECTIONS ........................................................................................................................ 20
GENERAL CONDITIONS ................................................................................................................... 20
EXHIBIT A - Schedule of Items/ Cost Proposal Form ......................................................................... 22
EXHIBIT B - List of Subcontractors .................................................................................................... 23
EXHIBIT C - Project Maps ................................................................................................................. 24
EXHIBIT D - Treatment Specifications ................................................................................................ 28
EXHIBIT E - Example Burn Plan ........................................................................................................ 29
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SUMMARY
The RCD is seeking proposals from qualified and experienced CONTRACTORs to provide all
labor, materials, and equipment necessary to complete the North Fork American River Shaded
Fuelbreak Phase III Project (Project). This Project consists of fuels reduction and modification
on approximately 91 acres. This Project must be completed no later than February 10th, 2029,
however, priority will be given to proposals with an efficient timeline and earlier expected
completion. The RCD intends to award one contract for the entire Project, however, RCD
retains the right to award to one or more CONTRACTORs to ensure that the Project is
completed within the specified time frame.
The respondents are advised that the maps, scope of work, and specifications included in this
solicitation are the basis for performance of the Project and for the purpose of establishing a cost
proposal. The maps, scope of work, and specifications were prepared by the RCD and convey
the scope and nature of the Project, including descriptions of environmental protection
requirements.
Proposals must be received by 5:00pm on September 18th, 2026 in accordance with
the instructions contained herein. Late proposals will not be considered.
The RCD estimates the total project cost for Priority 1 mechanical work, handwork, and pile
burning to be no greater than $345,800.
This Project requires performance and payment bonds for 100% of the contracted amount. Bond
will be due within 15 days of signing of contract with CONTRACTOR.
This is not a sealed bid or low bid process. The RCD intends to make an award(s) using the
evaluation criteria listed in the specifications to determine the proposal with the best value for the
RCD. Proposal information and documents are available on the RCD website: www.placerrcd.org
For purposes of this RFP, "District" or "RCD" refers to the Placer County Resource Conservation
District, "CONTRACTOR" refers to the submitter of the proposal, and "Project Manager" refers to
RCD's Forestry Project Manager, Lewis Campbell, or other designated RCD employee.
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
A. RFP Schedule
Release of RFP August 26th, 2026
Notice of Interest for Field Tour Due August 31st, 2026
Field Tour Date(s) Confirmed by RCD September 1st, 2026
Field Tour (MANDATORY) September 3rd and/or 4th, 2026
Final RFP Questions Due September 11th, 2026
Pre-Proposal Question Responses Posted September 14th, 2026
Proposal Due Date No later than 5:00pm September 18th, 2026
Contract Award October 2nd, 2026
Work Start Date TBD
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B. Questions
Questions regarding the RFP shall be submitted by email or in writing to the Project Manager,
Lewis Campbell, at the following address:
Placer Resource
Conservation District Attn:
Lewis Campbell
11641 Blocker Drive, Suite 120
Auburn, CA 95603
lewis@placerrcd.org
Questions shall be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. local time on September
11th, 2026. Question responses will be posted on the RCD website
(https://placerrcd.org/news/rfp/) no later than September 14th, 2026.
Responses will also address those questions posed during the mandatory field
visit.
C. Field Meeting
The RCD will conduct a MANDATORY pre-proposal field tour on September 3rd
and/or 4th, 2026. All interested parties are requested to R.S.V.P. to Lewis Campbell by
email at lewis@placerrcd.org on or before 4:00 p.m. local time on August 31st, 2026.
Project site is near Weimar, CA. Details on meeting time and location will be provided
to interested contractors no later than 4:00pm on September 1st, 2026.
D. Proposal Submittal
Proposals may be submitted either:
1. Electronically: Must be received via email to Lewis Campbell (lewis@placerrcd.org) no
later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on September 18th, 2026. Please cc yourself as
verification of submittal.
2. By hardcopy [ELECTRONIC SUBMITTAL IS PREFERRED]: One hard copy must be
received no later than 5:00 p.m. on September 18th, 2026 at the RCD office at 11641
Blocker Drive, Suite 120, Auburn CA, 95603. Please contact the Project Manager, Lewis
Campbell, if you plan to drop off your proposal at the office.
Faxed or late proposals will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the proposer to assure that
the Proposal is received prior to the deadline date and time. Proposals received after the
submission deadline will not be accepted and will be returned unopened. Any changes to this
RFP are invalid unless specifically modified by the RCD and issued as a separate addendum
document. Should there be any question as to changes to the content of this document, the
RCD's copy shall prevail.
E. Proposal Format
The proposals must be in an 8 12 X 11 format, may be no more than a total of ten (10) pages,
single-sided. NOTE: A single sheet cover letter, dividers, any attachments included in this RFP
which are required to be submitted with the proposal, cost proposal, insurance, licensing
documents, and Addenda acknowledgments do NOT count toward the ten (10) page limit.
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Proposals that do not furnish information organized according to the format or do not include the
content specified in this RFP may be rejected as non-responsive.
F. Required Proposal Content
1. Cost Proposal: Cost Proposal will include rates based upon the best available
information at the time of advertisement of the RFP. Refer to the Scope of Work
in Section IV. Respondents are expected to identify the cost to complete the
work and provide firm unit costs for all Zones and treatment types identified in
Exhibit A, "Schedule of Items/Cost Proposal Form".
Due to the variability of the landscape and fuel types, it is likely that up to 10% of
the area for each designated treatment (hand work or mechanical) may fluctuate
between treatments as designated by Project Manager. While these actual quantities
required may fluctuate up or down, the unit prices proposed shall remain firm and shall
not be negotiated. All prices shall include all necessary overhead and profit. Items not
listed in Exhibit A such as preparation and submittal of necessary permits, profit, etc.
shall be accounted for in the proposed rate and total estimated cost for the items listed.
2. Approach, Staffing, Work Plan, Schedule: Provide an overview of your
understanding of the services to be provided and your approach to the work, including
but not limited to equipment to be utilized, staffing requirement expectations, outside
agency coordination required, and any other items necessary to demonstrate your
strategy to complete the Project. The approach shall include a proposed work plan and
schedule. CONTRACTOR must be capable of beginning work no later than 2 weeks
following award of contract. Project must be completed by February 10th, 2029.
3. Experience, Qualifications, and References: Describe the firm's experience and
qualifications related to fuels reduction and modification work of similar scope and
complexity. Provide contact information for at least two references who oversaw past
projects with a similar scope of work. Photographs of other projects completed are
helpful but not required.
4. Insurance Certificates: Provide copies of insurance certificates reflecting the
requirements outlined below. Note that CONTRACTOR may be required to obtain
additional certificates for landowners as needed. Endorsements do not need to be
provided with proposal. CONTRACTOR insurance requirements:
CONTRACTOR shall file with District concurrently herewith a Certificate of
Insurance, in companies acceptable to District, with a Best's Rating of no less
than A- VII showing.
A. Worker's Compensation and Employer's Liability Insurance
Worker's Compensation Insurance shall be provided as required by any applicable
law or regulation. Employer's liability insurance shall be provided in amounts not
less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) each accident for bodily injury by
accident, one million dollars ($1,000,000) policy limit for bodily injury by disease,
and one million dollars ($1,000,000) each employee for bodily injury by disease.
If there is an exposure of injury to Contractor's employees under the U.S.
Longshoremen's and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act, the Jones Act, or under
laws, regulations, or statutes applicable to maritime employees, coverage shall be
included for such injuries or claims.
Each Worker's Compensation policy shall be endorsed with the following specific
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language:
Cancellation Notice: "This policy shall not be changed without first giving thirty (30)
days prior written notice and ten (10) days prior written notice of cancellation for non-
payment of premium to the District of Placer."
Waiver of Subrogation: The workers' compensation policy shall be endorsed to state
that the workers' compensation carrier waives its right of subrogation against the
District, its officers, directors, officials, employees, agents or volunteers, which might
arise by reason of payment under such policy in connection with performance under
this agreement by the Contractor.
Contractor shall require all subcontractors to maintain adequate Workers'
Compensation insurance. Certificates of Workers' Compensation shall be filed
forthwith with District upon demand.
B. General Liability Insurance
(i) Comprehensive General Liability or Commercial General Liability
insurance covering all operations by or on behalf of Contractor, providing
insurance for bodily injury liability and property damage liability for the limits of
liability indicated below and including coverage for:
a. Contractual liability insuring the obligations assumed by Contractor in this
Agreement.
(ii) One of the following forms is required:
a. Comprehensive General Liability;
b. Commercial General Liability (Occurrence); or
c. Commercial General Liability (Claims Made).
(iii) If Contractor carries a Comprehensive General Liability policy, the limits of
liability shall not be less than a Combined Single Limit for bodily injury, property
damage, and Personal Injury Liability of:
a. One million dollars ($1,000,000) each occurrence
b. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) aggregate
(iv) If Contractor carries a Commercial General Liability (Occurrence) policy, the
limits of liability shall not be less than:
a. One million dollars ($1,000,000) each occurrence (combined single limit for
bodily injury and property damage)
b. One million dollars ($1,000,000) for Products-Completed Operations
c. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) General Aggregate
If the policy does not have an endorsement providing that the General Aggregate
Limit applies separately, or if defense costs are included in the aggregate limits,
then the required aggregate limits shall be two million dollars ($2,000,000).
(v) Special Claims Made Policy Form Provisions:
Contractor shall not provide a Commercial General Liability (Claims Made) policy
without the express prior written consent of District, which consent, if given, shall
be subject to the following conditions:
a. The limits of liability shall not be less than:
i. One million dollars ($1,000,000) each occurrence (combined single limit
for bodily injury and property damage)
ii. One million dollars ($1,000,000) aggregate for Products Completed
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Operations
iii. Two million dollars ($2,000,000) General Aggregate
b. The insurance coverage provided by Contractor shall contain language
providing coverage up to one (1) year following the completion of the contract
in order to provide insurance coverage for the hold harmless provisions
herein if the policy is a claims-made policy.
C. Conformity of Coverages
If more than one policy is used to meet the required coverages, such as a separate
umbrella policy, such policies shall be consistent with all other applicable policies
used to meet these minimum requirements. For example, all policies shall be
Occurrence Liability policies or all shall be Claims Made Liability policies, if approved
by District as noted above. In no cases shall the types of polices be different.
D. Endorsements
Each Comprehensive or Commercial General Liability policy shall be endorsed
with the following specific language:
(i) "The Placer County Resource Conservation District, their officers, agents,
employees, and volunteers are to be covered as an additional insured for all
liability arising out of the operations by or on behalf of the named insured in the
performance of this Agreement."
(ii) "The insurance provided by the Contractor, including any excess liability
or umbrella form coverage, is primary coverage to the Placer County Resource
Conservation District with respect to any insurance or self- insurance programs
maintained by the Placer County Resource Conservation District and no
insurance held or owned by the Placer County Resource Conservation District
shall be called upon to contribute to a loss."
(iii) "This policy shall not be changed without first giving thirty (30) days prior
written notice and ten (10) days prior written notice of cancellation for non-
payment of premium to the Placer County Resource Conservation District."
Additional endorsements may be requested for individual landowners throughout
the project as needed.
E. Automobile Liability Insurance
Automobile Liability insurance covering bodily injury and property damage in an
amount no less than one million dollars ($1,000,000) combined single limit for each
occurrence. Covered vehicles shall include owned, non-owned, and hired
automobiles/trucks.
F. Additional Insurance Requirements
(i) Premium Payments: The insurance companies shall have no recourse
against the District and funding agencies, its officers and employees or any of
them for payment of any premiums or assessments under any policy issued by a
mutual insurance company.
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(ii) Policy Deductibles: The Contractor shall be responsible for all deductibles
in all of the Contractor's insurance policies. The maximum amount of allowable
deductible for insurance coverage required herein shall be $25,000.
(iii) Contractor's Obligations: Contractor's indemnity and other obligations
shall not be limited by the foregoing insurance requirements and shall survive the
expiration of this agreement.
(iv) Verification of Coverage: Contractor shall furnish the District with original
certificates and amendatory endorsements or copies of the applicable policy
language effecting coverage required by this clause. All certificates and
endorsements are to be received and approved by the District before work
commences. However, failure to obtain the required documents prior to the work
beginning shall not waive the Contractor obligation to provide them. The District
reserves the right to require complete, certified copies of all required insurance
policies, including endorsements required by these specifications, at any time.
(v) Material Breach: Failure of the Contractor to maintain the insurance
required by this agreement, or to comply with any of the requirements of this
section, shall constitute a material breach of the entire agreement.
5. Licenses:
* CONTRACTOR shall provide proof of Placer County Business License. This
license may be obtained after award of contract, but must be in hand prior to the
start of work. Contact the Placer County Treasurer- Tax Collector's office at 530-
889-4120 or at taxcollector@placer.ca.gov.
* CONTRACTOR must also provide a certificate of "active" status obtained
from the CA Secretary of State website at
https://bizfileonline.sos.ca.gov/search/business.
6. List of Subcontractors:
* CONTRACTOR shall list all SUBCONTRACTORS, including the name and address, to
whom PROPOSER proposed to subcontract portions of the work in the proposal (see Exhibit
B).
G. Evaluation Process
An evaluation committee will evaluate all proposals received for completeness and the
proposer's ability to meet all specifications as outlined in this RFP. The following 50-point
evaluation criteria and weight of importance shall be used in evaluating and selecting a
CONTRACTOR(s). Cost proposal criteria points will be awarded on a relative scale as
described below.
Evaluation Criteria Points
Cost Proposal 20
Approach, Staffing, Work Plan, Schedule 15
Experience, Qualifications, and References 15
Proof of Insurance Y/N
Acknowledgment of Bond Requirements Y/N
Willingness to obtain Placer Co. Business License Y/N
"Active" status with CA Secretary of State Y/N
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H. Award of Contract
The RCD may reject any and all proposals and re-issue this RFP. The RCD may choose to
award one or more CONTRACTORs to service any portion of the project. The RCD may
waive any minor irregularities or immaterial defects in a proposal. The RCD reserves the
right to request additional written or oral information from proposers to obtain clarification on
their proposals. All proposals become the property of the RCD. All costs associated with
development of the proposal in response to the RFP shall be the sole responsibility of the
proposers and shall not be charged in any manner to the RCD.
The contract shall be awarded by September 25th, 2026. Start date shall be determined
following contract award and may be within 2 weeks of award. CONTRACTOR shall not
begin work without express permission from the RCD. All work as agreed to in contract
must be complete, and invoices submitted, prior to February 10th, 2029. Completion of
remaining areas excluded from contract award (e.g. Priority 2 areas) may be included with a
contract amendment at a later date should additional funding become available and
following completion of or significant progress toward the initial contract. Contract
amendment to award additional areas to CONTRACTOR is not guaranteed.
Within 15 days of the receipt of CONTRACT, the CONTRACT shall be executed by the
successful proposer and shall be returned with the performance and payment bonds and
fully endorsed certificates of insurance as described in II.F.4 and II.F.5.
PROJECT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The North Fork American River Shaded Fuelbreak Phase III Project is located on private
property between the community of Weimar and the North Fork American River canyon, on
both sides of Brushy Creek. The entire project covers portions of T14N R9E Sections 23 and
26 and is within the Colfax 7.5' USGS Quadrangle. Vegetation will be treated with the intent of
modifying fire behavior to increase the probability of success of fire suppression activities. A
thin-from-below tactic will be used to remove ladder fuels with the intent of protecting life,
property, infrastructure, and biological/cultural/natural resources within the Wildland Urban
Interface.
This RFP will cover hand treatment, mechanical treatment, and pile burning on about 91
acres of the project, with information on an additional 30 acres that may be added at a later
date. A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been completed for the project area, with CAL
FIRE as the lead agency.
The project primarily consists of montane hardwood vegetation type, with some smaller
sections of mixed chaparral and blue oak woodland. Elevation within the project area ranges
from approximately 1680 to 2240 feet and slopes range from 0-100%.
SCOPE OF WORK
A. PROJECT AREAS
The District has broken up the treatment areas into units based on priority and slope. See
Exhibit B - Project Maps. Final date of work is February 10th, 2029. Proposal Items are
listed below:
Priority 1 - 91 acres
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