The National Park Service Southeast Region awarded a $95,245.25 definitive contract to Coosa Fish And Wildlife Initiative, LLC for aerial and ground herbicide treatment of invasive Phragmites australis at Cape Hatteras National Seashore on September 24, 2026, under a total small business set-aside.
Place of performance is Manteo, NC. The originating solicitation, posted August 24, 2026 with proposals due September 2, required treatment of 60–75 acres across 2–3 locations using DOI-approved unmanned aircraft systems and NPS-approved herbicides, achieving greater than 90% efficacy for target species with less than 2% non-target damage. An amendment issued August 24 reclassified ground treatment from an optional task to a primary task performed in conjunction with aerial spraying and specified acreage quantity. The contract runs September 15, 2026 through January 15, 2027, and includes two complete treatment cycles in the first year (aerial and backpack spray plus mechanical removal) with potential for up to three additional follow-on years pending funding. Performance is firm fixed price under NAICS 541620 (Environmental Consulting Services). Required qualifications include minimum 20 hours actual flight time with the proposed UAS, valid Federal and State UAS operator licenses, and North Carolina Department of Agriculture herbicide certification. Service Contract Act prevailing wage rates apply.