NIGP 59507: Aquatic Plants

NIGP 59507 Aquatic Plants, an Item code, encompasses the harvesting, mechanical removal, revegetation, and planting of native and invasive aquatic vegetation at lakes, rivers, and coastal areas managed by state and local water districts, fish and wildlife agencies, and county governments. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers contracting for manual harvesting and transplanting of native submersed aquatic vegetation (eelgrass, mangroves); mechanical shredding and excavation of nuisance and noxious species (hydrilla, spatterdock, water primrose); chemical control via licensed applicators; and large-scale coastal dune and shoreline revegetation projects. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission emerges as a dominant buyer, posting multiple ITB notices for restoration work across central Florida waterways. County boards and water management districts also solicit regularly under this code, typically requiring vendors to hold specialized licenses (Commercial Applicator credentials in Florida), supply heavy equipment (barge-mounted excavators, floating harvesters, shredding equipment with 400+ horsepower), and meet performance standards tied to plant survival rates, installation timelines, or production minimums with financial penalties for underperformance.

Recent activity concentrates in Florida, where the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Hillsborough County, Okaloosa County, and Collier County have posted opportunities since April 2026. Representative solicitations include the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's ITB16912 for St. Johns River eelgrass revegetation (Lake George and Lake Monroe across five counties, ITB due October 3, 2026, estimated budget $1.2 million for two-year term with per-plant pricing and mandatory site visits); the Commission's ITB16899 for Lake Tohopekaliga mechanical harvesting in Osceola County (ITB due October 2, 2026 with award delayed to October 9, 2026; estimated budget $200,000; species targeted include spatterdock and hydrilla); the St. Johns River Water Management District's ITB16363 for mechanical aquatic vegetation shredding across eighteen counties (ITB due July 8, 2026; three-year term estimated at $200,000; heavy-duty equipment with minimum ten-foot cutting width and 400 horsepower required); Hillsborough County's ITB2600339 for herbicide spraying and planting at mitigation sites (ITB due August 3, 2026; three-year contract; estimated $544,532.50; requires Florida Commercial Applicator license); and Collier County's Quick Quote QQ2026116 for mangrove restoration at Pelican Bay (quotes due May 12, 2026; approximately 4,766 plants across 7 acres with unit pricing per species).