SLED Opportunity · CALIFORNIA · TOWN OF LOS GATOS

    Town Wide Gopher and pest control

    Issued by Town of Los Gatos
    localRFPTown of Los GatosSol. 246138
    Closed
    STATUS
    Closed
    due Apr 21, 2026
    PUBLISHED
    Apr 6, 2026
    Posting date
    JURISDICTION
    Town of
    local
    NAICS CODE
    561710
    AI-classified industry

    AI Summary

    RFP for gopher and ground squirrel control services at Town of Los Gatos parks and facilities to maintain playable fields. Includes detailed evaluation criteria and submission requirements. Due April 21, 2026.

    Opportunity details

    Solicitation No.
    246138
    Type / RFx
    RFP
    Status
    open
    Level
    local
    Published Date
    April 6, 2026
    Due Date
    April 21, 2026
    NAICS Code
    561710AI guide
    Jurisdiction
    Town of Los Gatos
    Agency
    Town of Los Gatos

    Description

    This RFP is for Gopher and ground squirrel control at Town parks and facilities. This service is crucial in keeping our fields in good playable condition.

    Project Details

    • Department: Parks and Public Works
    • Department Head: Nicolle Burnham (Parks and Public Works Director)

    Important Dates

    • Questions Due: 2026-04-15T21:00:00.000Z

    Addenda

    • Addendum #1 (released 2026-04-20T17:45:46.849Z) —

      Please use the See What Changed link to view all the changes made by this addendum.

    Evaluation Criteria

    • Responsiveness and Responsibleness (10 pts)

      When determining Responsiveness of the Proposal, the Town may consider any of the following but not limited to:

      • Proposal received on time and completed per instructions.
      • Requested changes to Town's standard contract and proposer's ability to meet requirements of the Town's standard contract for services.
      • Proposal contains required contents, forms and signatures submitted in accordance with RFP instructions.
      • Proposal is compliant with specifications and industry standards.

      When determining Other Evaluation Criteria's of the Proposer, the Town may consider any of the following but not limited to:

      • Possession of industry standard licensing and/or certifications.
      • Financial capacity of the Proposer.
      • Experience or past performance of the Proposer.
      • Use of Subcontractors / Subconsultants.
      • Past, Present and Pending Legal Actions.
      • Exceptions with Town's standard terms and conditions.
      • Anticipated adherence with Project delivery schedule.
      • Ability to respond to Town’s inquiries for Proposal clarification.

      If the Evaluation Committee determines, at its sole discretion, that the Proposer passes Phase 1, the Evaluation Committee shall advance the Proposal to Phase 2.

    • Cover letter (5 pts)
    • Firm Qualifications, Expertise, and Experience (25 pts)
    • Team Qualifications, Expertise, and Experience (25 pts)
    • Proposal Price Sheet (30 pts)
    • References (15 pts)

    Submission Requirements

    • Formation date of company (required)

      Please enter Month and Year.

    • Number of years providing the specified services (required)
    • Please list names and titles of all officers and directors. If an individual or partnership, please list names and addresses of all partners, indicating whether they are general or limited partners. (required)
    • Indicate whether Proposer has ever failed to complete any Agreement awarded to it. If so, note when, where, and why. Attach additional sheets, if necessary. (required)
    • Indicate whether Proposer has been or is the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or subject to assignment for the benefit of creditors. (required)
    • Required Documents (required)

      Please upload the following documents related to the proposal:

      • Cover letter describing how the Proposer can meet the needs of the Town.
      • Requested changes to Town's standard contract and proposer's ability to meet the requirements of the Town's standard contract for services.
      • Cost proposal per provided forms.
      • Relevant experience and expertise of the firm.
      • Three (3) references with similar scope of work showing firms' ability to perform work. 
      • Other relevant information to assist the Town in its selection.
    • List of Subcontractors (required)

      Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

    • References (required)

      Please download the below documents, complete, and upload.

    • Affirmations and Certification (required)

      RESERVATION

      It is understood that the Town reserves the right to reject this Proposal, but that this Proposal shall not be withdrawn for a period of 45 days from the date prescribed for its opening.

      DISCLOSURE

      The undersigned declares that this Proposal is not made in the interest of or on behalf of any undisclosed person, partnership, company, association, organization or corporation; that the Proposal is genuine and not collusive or sham; that the undersigned has not directly or indirectly induced or solicited any other Proposer to put in a false or sham Proposal and has not directly or indirectly colluded or agreed with any Proposer or anyone else to put in a sham Proposal or to refrain from bidding; that the undersigned has not directly or indirectly sought by agreement, communication or conference with anyone to fix his/her Proposal price or the Proposal price of any other Proposer, or to fix any overhead, profit or cost element of such Proposal price or of that of any other Proposer, or to secure any advantage against the Town of Los Gatos or anyone interested in the proposed Contract; that the only persons or parties interested in this Proposal as principals are those named herein; that all statements contained in this Proposal are true; that the undersigned has not directly or indirectly, submitted his/her Proposal price or any breakdown thereof, or the contents thereof, or divulged information or data relative thereto, to any other persons, partnership, corporation, or association except to such person or persons as have a direct financial interest in Proposer’s general business; and that the undersigned has not accepted any Proposal from any subcontractor or vendor through any Proposal depository, the Bylaws, Rules or Regulations of which prohibit or prevent the undersigned from considering any Proposal from any subcontractor or vendor, which is not processed through said Proposal depository, or which may prevent any subcontractor or vendor from bidding to any general contractor who does not use the facilities of or accept bids from or through such Proposal depository; and that the undersigned has not paid, and will not pay, any fee to any corporation, partnership, company, association, organization, Proposal depository, or to any member or agent thereof to effectuate a collusive or sham Proposal.

      WORDS AND PHRASES           

      Wherever in this Proposal an amount is stated in both words and figures, in case of discrepancy between words and figures, the words shall prevail; if all or any portion of the Proposal is required to be given in unit prices and totals and a discrepancy exists between any such unit prices and totals so given, the unit prices shall prevail.

      CERTIFICATION

      The Proposer certifies that the Proposal Documents have been thoroughly read and understood and that, except as may be specifically noted and contained in addenda, there are no discrepancies or misunderstandings as to the meaning, purpose or intent of any provision in the Proposal Documents or as to the interpretation of the same. The undersigned hereby incorporates by reference, the same as though set out in full, all provisions of Request for Bids published by the Town and pertaining to the work described in this Proposal.

      By confirming below, the submission of a Proposal shall be deemed a representation and certification by the Proposer that they have investigated all aspects of the RFP, that they are aware of the applicable facts pertaining to the RFP process, its procedures and requirements, and they have read and understand the RFP. No request for modification of the Proposal shall be considered after its submission on the grounds that the Proposer was not fully informed as to any fact or condition.

    • Will there be a Pre-proposal Conference and Site Tour? (required)
    • Is the attendance at Pre-Proposal Conference and Site Tour Mandatory? (required)
    • Does the RFP require specific and/or special qualifications? (required)
    • Please list the qualification requirements here (required)
    • Initial Term of the Agreement resulting from this RFP? (required)

      Please select one

    • Does this contract/project meet prevailing wage requirements? (required)

      Prevailing Wage
      Prevailing wage applies to all projects in which more than $1,000 of public funds is used for:

      • Construction
      • Repair
      • Maintenance
      • Demolition
      • Emergency work

      DIR’s Contractor definition

      • Contractors
      • Subcontractors
      • Surveyors and Inspectors
      • Material Testing
      • Trucking
      • Employment services

      Any for whom prevailing wages have to be paid (not just contractors with CSLB)

      Contractors must be registered at TIME OF BID (including all subcontractors) except if exempt. If not, the Town may:

      • Reject the bid as non-responsive; or,
      • Provide notice to the prime contractor and allow 24 hours to “cure”. Offending contractor will pay a $2,000 penalty for registering after bid date.

      DIR Registered Contractors Exemption
      Small project exemption means that contractors who work exclusively on small projects are not required to register as public works contractors or file electronic certified payroll reports for those projects.  However, prevailing wages must still be paid, and contractors are required to maintain certified payroll records on a continuous basis.
      Small project exemption applies for all public works projects that do not exceed:

      • $25,000 for new construction, alteration, installation, demolition or repair
      • $15,000 for maintenance 
    • Agreement beginning Month and Year (required)

      Please enter in following format: Month 4-digit year

    • Will there be option to renew the agreement beyond the initial term? (required)
    • Options to renew the Agreement for up to how many additional one-year terms? (required)
    • Is this project funded by Federal Grant? (required)

    Questions & Answers

    Q (No subject): Could the Town define the specific metric for 'good playable condition'? Is there a maximum allowable number of active mounds per acre before a site is considered out of compliance?

    A: The surface is generally level and free of hazards that could cause trips, falls, or interfere with normal recreational use.


    Q (No subject): If the initial 4-week cleanout does not achieve the desired activity reduction due to high baseline infestation, will the Town allow for extended intensive services at a supplemental rate, or must this be factored into the base bid?

    A: Yes, the Town would consider extending the intensive services.


    Q (No subject): How should the contractor handle 'secondary' burrowing pests not explicitly listed in the RFP (e.g., voles or meadow mice) that may inhabit the same areas? Are these to be included in the lump sum or handled via on-call work orders?

    A: Yes, these should be included in the lump sum. The Town currently does not see much activity from secondary burrowing pests.


    Q (No subject): Does the 24-hour response requirement refer to an 'administrative acknowledgment' or a 'physical site technician arrival'? Can high-risk areas be pre-defined to prioritize these resources?

    A: 24- hour response should be administrative acknowledgment and notification of when a technician will be sent out.


    Q (No subject): Does the 24-hour response time include weekends and holidays?

    A: No, the Town would expect the response on the next regular working day.


    Q (No subject): Given the 5-year fixed term without renewal options, will the Town include an annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustment clause to account for increases in labor and material costs?

    A: Yes, the Town will include CPI language in the in the Towns standard agreement.


    Q (No subject): Does the Town have a preference for non-anticoagulant methods (such as CO injection or trapping) in high-traffic areas, and if so, should these be priced as part of the base bid or as an alternative?

    A: Yes, the Town prefers trapping or CO injections. Please see addendum 1 in regard to bait not being used. Yes, those options should be included in the base bid.


    Q (No subject): In the tamper- resistant bait stations, are you requesting the contractor to use a pellet bait?

    A: No Bait will be used in this contract. Please see addendum 1 for updates to the Scope of Work.


    Q (No subject): Service Timing in section 3.4- Does this service window also apply to the routine monthly service in section 4? Or does it only apply to the initial clean-out service?

    A: This timing applies to routine service as well but can be negotiated by the selected vendor.


    Q (No subject): Service frequency requested is twice a month on the first and third week of the month. If traps are placed on that first visit, would we have to wait till the next monthly visit to service the trap, or are we expected to come back the following day to service the set traps at no additional charge?

    A: The Town would expect the traps to be serviced and not left until the following month. The service frequency is to build a routine of knowing when the selected vendor will be onsite.


    Q (No subject): Are we able to provide an initial cost line on the bid sheet for bait stations?

    A: Please see addendum 1 for updated Scope of Work, no bait will be used as part of this contract.


    Q (No subject): Section 5: Can we set a limit on call services per park per month? Anything in addition to that we can charge as an additional call.

    A: Yes, the Town will set the limit at 1 additional call per park per month.


    Q (No subject): Section 5: How many On-Call and Emergency calls did they have in the last 12 months?

    A: The previous vendor was called for emergency/extra work three times in a 12-month period.


    Q (No subject): Section 6: Can the Town share its current IPM policy?

    A: Please see addendum 1.


    Q (No subject): Section 6.2: What is the minimum distance a bait can be applied near the playgrounds, water drains, and sensitive habitats?

    A: Please see addendum 1 for updated scope of work. No bait will be used for this contract.


    Q (No subject): Section 8: Can the Town provide a sample monthly summary report?

    A: The Town does not have a sample report, it is expected that it would include name and location of park, number of traps set, any increase in pest activity, overall condition of pest control, recommendations, and any notes from the technician.


    Q (No subject): Section 11: Coordination with Town Staff: Is there a single contact or will there be multiple contacts?

    A: There will be a single contact with the Town once the agreement is executed.


    Q (No subject): In Open Gov Portal, 3. Vendor Questionnaire Section 6, there is a bullet point that says we need to upload the cost proposal forms. Is this in addition to the Section 4. Proposal Price tab in Open Gov Portal?

    A: Yes.


    Q (No subject): Section 6 is requesting 3 References, and Section 8 is requesting References. Does the Town want us to upload the references twice?

    A: No, only upload the references once.


    Q (No subject): Section 7. Is requiring a document for subcontractors. If we are not using subcontractors would a response still be required?

    A: No.


    Q (No subject): Section 10. Proposal Price: Item 1: unit of measure, what does L.S. stand for?

    A: Lump Sum.


    Q (No subject): Can the Town provide maps of each park?

    A: See addendum 1.


    Q (No subject): Can the Town provide acreage or square footage of each park, noting which areas of the park should be serviced?

    A: See addendum 1.


    Q (No subject): When would the contractor be able to utilize line item 15, “As needed, additional hourly service”?

    A: If additional work was requested by the Town, then that work would be billed at that provided rate.


    Q (No subject): Can the Town clarify the following statement from Section 10: Proposal Price- “Work will be paid hourly Not to Exceed the values listed in the Pricing Table. Proposers must attach a rate sheet to this Proposal Price Sheet.” What do you want to see on our attached rate sheet? What can we include? Is this add on services, burrow treatments, trapping? Speical services like emergency call, after hour services, night trapping?

    A: The rate sheet should include any additional services that may be recommended, emergency call out pricing and after-hours pricing.


    Q (Prevailing Wage): Is this a prevailing wage project?

    A: No.


    Q (Bonds): Will a bond be needed? If so, for how much? And how many bonds

    A: No payment or performance bonds will be needed for this project.


    Q (Point of Contact): Point of Contact for both sides. Will the city be communicating with the Account Manager or will they communicate with the Technician on our side? Will we have someone to communicate with directly?

    A: The contractor will need to have a main point of contact for us to speak with. This can be a technician or account manager. The Town will have a main point of contact for the contractor to communicate with.


    Q (Trap Check Frequency): For Oak Meadow Park & La Rinconada Park, when you state intensive treatments and also the trapping, are we able to be there multiple times a week to check the traps as opposed to the once a week check?

    A: Yes, traps can be check as often as needed.


    Q (Treatment Method): Are you open to using a CO2 treatment as well as carbon monoxide delivery systems? Is it up to the discretion of the contractor to decide which treatment options should be used for control?

    A: The Town is open to this kind of treatment and will look to the selected vendor to suggest the best treatment method.


    Q (Baits): Baits with Diphacinone are a Restricted use product in the State of California, can the use of baits be removed from the scope?

    A: Yes, see addendum 1 for updated Scope of Work.


    Q (Background Checks): Background checks, any specifics or generic is fine?

    A: Generic background checks will be accepted by the Town.


    Q (On-Call & Emergency Response): On-Call and Emergency Response is designated between M-F 8AM – 5PM, unless client is willing to pay after-hours cost, are you ok with this?

    A: Yes.


    Q (Sinage): Signage that is required, do you want us posting that at the park the day of or provide to you to place?

    A: The Town would like the selected vendor to place signage at the time of service.


    Key dates

    1. April 6, 2026Published
    2. April 21, 2026Responses Due

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    SLED stands for State, Local, and Education. These are solicitations issued by state governments, counties, cities, school districts, utilities, and higher education institutions — as opposed to federal agencies.

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