REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)- Q&A

Project Name: NW Calaveras (North) Fuel Reduction Project
CalFire Grant 5GA22228

This document is a collection of questions received by the CCRCD regarding the NW Calaveras (North) Fuel Reduction Project. These were received either at the pre-bid tour on December 16, 2025 or in writing as directed by the RFP. Any additional edits or clarifications from the original RFP are stated here as well.

Clarification from CCRCD on Roads/Weight Limits:

Roads:  At the pre-bid tour it was brought up that there was a 7-ton limit on Quail Oaks and adjacent roads. The CCRCD and the Quail Oaks Road Maintenance Association have come to an agreement that will waive the 7-ton weight limit and allow trucking access to the units in this project. This is not a waiver of liability. The contractor is still responsible for any damage done to the roads.

The trucking of large equipment, excavators and feller-bunchers, etc., within the Quail Oaks Road system will be restricted to Hwy 26 - Quail Oaks Rd. to Butler Lane which will allow access to unit M2. This same route, Hwy 26 - Quail Oaks Rd. will allow access to unit M6. The rest of the Quail Oaks Road system access will be for smaller, lighter equipment. Remember that this road was not engineered for commercial trucking.

Access for this project is also available off of Hwy 12. If a permit is needed it would be the responsibility of the contractor to obtain that permit.

Please explain your approach and the equipment you will be using in your bid proposal.

Q: Does CCRCD have an acreage for all the watercourse buffers throughout the project area?

A: No, only the acres that can be treated have been included in the calculated acreage.

Q: Are sensitive areas flagged and will they be on the final contractor map? (i.e. Watercourse buffers, historic sites, biologically sensitive sites)

A: Watercourses, historical and prehistorical sites, and biological sites will be flagged when necessary. These areas will also be reviewed during the pre-op meeting to ensure all are aware of locations.

Q: Is there a Diameter at Breast Height cutoff for hazard trees?

A: No

Q: Are dead/dying trees greater than 10-inches Diameter at Breast Height that are not a hazard to be felled and treated?

A: Yes, unless flagged for retention for wildlife.

Q: Is pile burning allowed in handwork units?

A: After review of the current budget and CEQA on file, please bid the mastication units first.
CEQA allows the following treatment: lop and scatter, cut and chip, hand piling and pile burning. However, to implement any of these alternative treatments, a project amendment including treatment and budget will need to be approved by CalFire prior to contracting the work. A bid can be submitted for the handwork unit to be evaluated based on approach and treatment submitted by the contractor. Therefore, an initial contract would be awarded for mastication only that can be amended at a later date to include the handwork unit.
Mastication only bids will be considered. Please include your approach for handwork in the bid as a separate line item.

Q: Buffers for fencing?

A: There are no exact buffers around fencing. Contractor can work as close to fencing as they are comfortable without doing any damage to the infrastructure. The contractor is still responsible for any damage done to fences.

Q: If a nest buffer is needed, do contractors need to come back to buffer area once nest is no longer occupied?

A: As of February, nesting bird surveys will be conducted. In the event a nesting area is discovered, the contractor and RFP can determine if it is best to come back to work the unit or work with the buffer recommended.

Q: How to handle landowner requests?

A: Since the work will be conducted on private lands, the landowner requests will be taken into consideration. All landowners will be provided with project maps associated with their property to be able to provide their requests for exclusion of areas specific to their property. The contractor will work with the project manager and landowner to determine the best approach as these requests are submitted in advance to implementation.

Q: What work is allowed within Class 1,2,3 waterways?

A: See permitted activities in RFP for what is allowed for each stream class and type of work.

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Below is link to printable Q & A sheet. 

NW_CAL_QA.pdf