ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
MEETING DATE: October 21, 2026 AGENDA CATEGORY: Consent - Bids TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Randy McKeegan, Finance Director
DATE: September 30, 2026
SUBJECT: Purchase of 15-Gallon and 24-Inch Box Trees for the Recreation and Parks Department.
Accept bid for the purchase of 15-gallon and 24-inch box trees from Zack’s Big Trees & Nursery in the amount of $274,413.75 for the Recreation and Parks Department.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends acceptance of the bids.
BACKGROUND:
Bids were solicited for 15-gallon and 24-inch box trees to support the City’s ongoing drought-related replanting efforts. The purchase will provide the City with necessary replacement plant material to replace trees lost as a result of drought conditions and to restore and maintain the appearance and integrity of City streetscapes.
Five bids were received in response to the solicitation. Bidders were requested to provide unit pricing for the specified tree varieties and estimated quantities identified in the Bid Form. The solicitation expressly states that the estimated quantities are provided solely as a basis for comparison of bids and that the City reserves the right to increase or decrease quantities. The solicitation further provides that, unless a bidder gives notice of an “all-or-none” bid, the City may accept any individual item or category/group of items quoted or award a contract based on the total bid. The solicitation also provides that bid prices shall remain open and valid, subject to acceptance, for ninety (90) days after the bid closing date.
Summary of all bids received is below:
BIDDER TOTAL BID AMOUNT PARTIAL BID
AMOUNT
RECOMMENDED
AWARD
Zack’s Big Trees & Nursery
Bakersfield, CA N/A $274,413.75 $274,413.75
Green World Nurseries
Escondido, CA $354,951.75 N/A $0.00
Maranatha Gardening &
Landscaping Inc.
Bakersfield, CA
$440,577.50 N/A $0.00
Bolles Nursery Inc.
Bakersfield, CA $465,042.00 N/A $0.00
West Coast Arborists
Anaheim, CA $559,923.13 N/A $0.00
Based on the submitted unit prices and estimated quantities, Zack’s Big Trees & Nursery was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder for the bid line items for which the supplier submitted pricing. Zack’s Big Trees & Nursery did not submit a bid for Line No. 13, Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizeni) in 15-gallon containers. Therefore, Line No. 13 is not included in the recommended award.
Staff find Zack’s Big Trees & Nursery’s bid to be acceptable and recommend a partial award in the amount of $274,413.75 for the bid line items for which it submitted the lowest responsive and responsible bid, excluding Line No. 13. No award is recommended for Line No. 13 at this time. This recommendation is consistent with the solicitation provision allowing the City to accept individual items or categories/groups of items quoted by a bidder. A full bid tabulation is attached for review.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are available within the Recreation and Parks FY 2026-27 Operating Budget within the General Fund for this purchase
COUNCIL GOAL:
Reliable Infrastructure
ATTACHMENTS:
Bid Tabulation