Title
title
Report on Bids and Award of Order for Tulare Lake Compost (TLC) - Custom Farming and Property Maintenance (Project)
end
Summary
body
Summary: The Project involves farming and property maintenance services on approximately 14,000 acres of agricultural land owned by the Districts at TLC for a three-year period, from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. These services include a) annual farming on approximately 2,500 acres of Districts' land using compost produced at TLC, and b) maintenance services such as weed abatement and irrigation canal upkeep on the property. After completion of a Request for Qualifications process, the Districts solicited competitive bids from two pre-qualified farming contractors, and both submitted bids. Old River Farming Co. (ORF), the current provider of these services at TLC, submitted the lowest bid. In addition, ORF's bid appears cost-effective as it is lower on a per-acre basis than costs incurred in previous years. Revenue from the sale of the crops grown will be shared between ORF and the Districts, which will help defray a portion of the Project cost. The bid summary/recommendation for award is attached. Staff has determined that the Project is exempt or otherwise not subject to the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations ("CEQA Guidelines") Section 15301. This item is consistent with the Districts' Guiding Principles of commitment to operational excellence (protection of public health and the environment, regulatory compliance, and cost effectiveness); and to maximize use of our assets and resources (recycled water, recyclables, and energy).
end
Staff Recommendation
recommendation
Staff recommends to authorize the Chief Engineer and General Manager, in his capacity as Purchasing Agent, to award a purchase order to the low bidder, Old River Farming Co., LLC, in the amount of approximately $8,391,187, for a three-year p...
Click here for full text