Graffiti Abatement Services

The City of Santa Cruz (City) is soliciting graffiti abatement services within the City limits and on water equipment and property in water services areas located outside of City limits from qualified and experienced contractors. Graffiti abatement services include the use of paint (up to a 99% color match of the surface), the use of water or pressure washing, and the use of an abatement chemical for different surfaces. Surfaces include but are not limited to sidewalks, bridges, medians, paths, fences, light poles, street signs, trees, sewer outlets and more.

The City requests proposals from qualified firms for graffiti abatement services. The selected contractor will be required to respond to approximately 70 graffiti reports per month. Reports are submitted on a daily basis via the graffiti email, the graffiti phone hotline, and/or through the City's Community Request for Services Portal (CRSP). Graffiti is reported throughout all areas of the City and on water equipment and property in water services areas located outside of City limits.

The contractor is expected to respond to each report within 24-48 hours (24 hours for gang and hate crime graffiti and 48 hours for others), or a timeline approved by the City. The contractor may also proactively abate graffiti when in the field on a City approved schedule.

The successful Proposer shall furnish all tools, equipment, materials, tax, apparatus, facilities, labor, transportation, supervision, and management, not specifically provided by the City, to complete the work described in this RFP.

Submission

Proposals are due no later than **3:00 pm on Tuesday, November 17, 2026**, to guarantee review. All proposals will be submitted via City’s e-Procurement Portal at: https://procurement.opengov.com/portal/santacruzca/projects/300440. Proposals received after the deadline will be deemed non-responsive.

Proposal Format

• Written Technical Proposal: Provide a comprehensive written technical proposal uploaded separately in the Procurement Portal.
• Cost Proposal: Provide a comprehensive cost proposal uploaded separately in the Procurement Portal. The cost per work order must include the cost of labor, material, equipment, etc.
• Optional Appendices or Exhibits: Proposers may include sample project information, sample reports, peer review reports, letters of recommendation, or other exhibits that may assist the City in favorably evaluating the proposal.

Evaluation

RFP responses will be evaluated and ranked [...] by an evaluation committee composed of City staff. The total maximum score for the evaluation of proposals is 100 percent (100%).

Contract Term

The City anticipates awarding a contract to a one or more vendors for approximately a one-year term with the option of three-one (1) year term extensions if City so elects.

Required at award

• Proof of insurance and prevailing wage compliance documentation;
• Documentation of all credentials necessary to legally perform the Project specified;
• A completed W9 form and, if applicable, non-resident withholding exemption form, if not already on file with the City; and
• Proof of a current City of Santa Cruz business tax certificate if the proposer is located in, or performs services within, the city limits for more than 6 days annually.