EXPANDED IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Download Bid Package in PDF format, about 36K.

Program Description

The District's Expanded Irrigation System Improvement Program (EISIP) offers low interest rates to water users and landowners for the lease-purchase of irrigation system equipment. The standard EISIP may be supplemented with USBR grant funds. Under the grant option, eligible water users farming drainage impaired lands, the USBR funds up to $65,000 or 50%, which ever is less, towards the purchase of irrigation system equipment. The EISIP allows for the design of irrigation systems and purchase of portable aluminum irrigation pipe, micro irrigation, linear move, center pivots, and *tail-water reuse systems. *Not covered through grant money.

Terms of EISIP/Grant Lease

The EISIP lease may be executed for up to $130,000. Each lease requires a 20% deposit and repayment of the remaining balance over a maximum, four-year term, to include interest charges of 3.1% annually. Leases that are partially funded by the USBR grant require 20% deposit on the remaining balance to be financed and $1,500 for performance monitoring at the time of lease execution. The lease may be used to pay for system design and equipment, but installation costs are excluded. The Applicant must designate 160 acres of non-annexed land as security for each lease (a full quarter section, less road rights-of-ways). Insurance on the equipment is required. All landowner signatures on the lease will be notarized.  Notary services for this purpose are available at the Fresno District office.  After execution, the District will record the lease with the county recorder.

Application Process

The District uses a standard application for all types of irrigation systems and/or equipment. The District accepts and processes applications in the order received. As funds become available, the next applicant on the list is contacted to participate in the program. The applicant must execute a lease generally within 90 days of notification or forfeit the opportunity to participate. An applicant may submit more than one application annually, however, priority will be given to applicants who have not participated in the EISIP for that given year.

Bid Process

The equipment design and procurement process begins upon the applicant's notification by the District to proceed. The applicant may either have the District obtain bids for the project or obtain the bid package from the District and seek bids on his own behalf. Each submitted bid must include a District provided Bid Submittal Form signed by the vendor. The Form must be completed and include the Request for Quotation identification number, the installation parcel identification or the water user name for portable aluminum irrigation systems, the total cost of the equipment, and the applicable sales tax. In addition, a detailed equipment list must accompany the Form. The District requires at least three bids for the irrigation equipment and/or system. The District retains the right to make the final decision regarding the responsiveness of any bid. The District shall award the contract to the lowest responsive bidder upon execution of the lease by the applicant.

Payment and Inspection

The District pays the vendor's invoice upon receipt of all equipment delivery acknowledgements signed by the applicant. The applicant must notify the District within a reasonable amount of time after the installation of the equipment so that an inspection can be made.

Please contact Israel Sanchez at (559) 241-6237 with any questions or requests for a bid package. A link to download the bid package in PDF format is available at the top of this page. July 2010.