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SACRAMENTO – Caltrans has begun a pilot program to accept contractor bids through an online electronic bidding (e-bid) system, which reduces project costs and expedites the bidding process.
Previously, contractor bids had to be physically delivered to Caltrans district offices across California, depending on where the job was to be built.
But with the new pilot program, bids on all contracts can also be submitted online at www.bidx.com . At present, departments of transportation in 37 states accept bids via the site.
“This simplifies an often-hectic process and minimizes post-bid cost adjustments,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “It’s the right way to go.”
For contractors, e-bid greatly simplifies bidding on Caltrans projects. More than 600 project contracts are awarded annually, with as many as 5,000 total bids submitted.
What used to be done by dispatching a person with the actual paperwork, known as a “bid runner,” to a local Caltrans office can now be done online instead.
“It will save considerable time and money for contractors involved in the bidding process,” said Sam Hassoun, director, Joint Engineering Division of Associated General Contractors of America. “Subcontractors often wait until the last minute to finalize what they will charge, and it can make it extremely challenging for us to put those final numbers together in a bid in-hand to be delivered on a tight deadline. E-bid eliminates the stress of that.”
Caltrans expects a gradual transition over from the existing system to the E-bid pilot program, with both methods of bid submittal available as contractors decide which works best for them.
In recent months, Caltrans has trained approximately 100 contractors across the state on how to use the www.bidx.com interface to submit electronic bids as it transitions to an all-electronic bidding system.
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SACRAMENTO – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss agricultural regulations at its upcoming meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 ‘N’ St., Main Auditorium, Sacramento.
“California’s environmental regulations are designed to protect air and water quality and natural resources throughout the state,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Working together, California’s farmers, regulatory agencies, and environmental stakeholders can refine our regulatory system to reduce on-farm complexities, while providing the same level of environmental protections and ecosystem services.”
Environmental regulations concerning air and water quality have significant impacts to California farmers and ranchers at the state and local level.
A variety of efforts are currently occurring throughout the state to help address regulatory issues and provide additional resources, such as training and research, to farmers that benefit the farming operation and the environment.
Scheduled speakers include Kish Rajan, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development; Ken Harris, Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board; Ken Landau, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board; Parry Klassen, East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition; Serena Coltrane-Briscoe, Ag Innovations Network; Ashley Boren, Sustainable Conservation; Paul Martin, Governor’s Office and Business and Economic Development; and Sandra Schubert, California Department of Food and Agriculture.
“As a farmer, I know first-hand the regulatory challenges that exist and I’m encouraged by the cooperative work that is occurring to enhance environmental quality, while reducing the regulatory maze that farmers face,” said Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture.
The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs.
The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representative and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.
Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard .
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NORTH COAST, Calif. – Commercial Dungeness crab fishing season north of Sonoma County will be delayed for a third time, but will finally open on Jan. 15.
New test results from the fishing grounds show that crab from Mendocino County and north have still not developed enough meat for harvest.
“Another round of pre-season quality tests revealed that crab from the Trinidad area are not yet mature and won’t be ready for harvest by the delayed opening date of Dec. 31,” said Department of Fish and Game (DFG) Environmental Scientist Christy Juhasz. “However, these crab are projected to meet the quality standard by Jan. 15 and so the season will open then.”
The season was originally set to open on Dec. 1, but quality tests have shown the crabs have less than 25 percent of their body weight as meat. At least 25 percent is ideal for harvest.
The Dungeness crab season from Sonoma County south does not fall under the same restrictions. That season opened on Nov. 15.
Regulations allow for delays off California’s northern coast if Dungeness crabs have soft shells or are of poor quality.
The delays may not extend past Jan. 15, so the season will definitely open no later than that date.
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Post Offices nationwide will be open Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, and New Year’s Eve, Monday, Dec. 31.
Most Post Offices will shorten retail lobby hours and close at noon on these dates. Regular mail delivery will be unaffected by the change.
Revised hours will be posted at each Post Office and commercial customers are asked to check with their Bulk Mail Entry Units for specific information regarding holiday hours of operation.
Blue collection boxes having final collection times before 12 p.m. will not be affected by these changes.
However, collection boxes with final collection times scheduled after that may be collected early. Therefore, mail should be deposited into these mailboxes by 12 p.m. for early pick-up on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31.
Customers requiring postal services later on those days are encouraged to contact their local Post Office. Customers also may call 800-ASK-USPS for additional information.
Post Offices will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Express Mail only will be delivered on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. All Post Offices will be open and regular mail delivery will resume Dec. 26 and Jan. 2.
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.