UNSPSC 70141600: Crop protection

UNSPSC 70141600 Crop protection (Class) encompasses aerial application of herbicides, insecticides, and other crop-protection chemicals via fixed-wing aircraft and drone platforms. State and local governments procure this work to support forest management, mosquito and pest control, agricultural operations on state-owned facilities, and airfield vegetation management. Recent solicitations show two distinct operational models: specialized drone herbicide spraying for forestry site preparation and seedling release, typically requiring state pesticide-applicator licenses and FAA Part 107/137 certifications; and larger-scale fixed-wing aerial adulticide and insecticide applications for mosquito control and agricultural pest management, demanding commercial pilot licenses, aircraft liability insurance, and multi-engine aircraft certified under 14 CFR Part 137. Issuing bodies include state departments of natural resources and agriculture, county mosquito-control and public-works divisions, correctional departments, and municipal aviation authorities. Michigan's Department of Natural Resources has emerged as a repeat buyer, conducting multiple drone-based herbicide solicitations for forest-management operations.

Recent activity spans Michigan, Florida, Texas, and selected municipal jurisdictions. Michigan DNR posted four drone aerial herbicide solicitations between late April and mid-July 2026, with contract values ranging from $26,178.17 to $109,708.57 across regional awards; the most recent RFP (solicitation 7512600000023361) closed July 28, 2026, with performance through September 2026. Broward County issued an open-end aerial mosquito adulticide contract (BID2131909B1, due June 18, 2026) covering 10,000 to 50,000 annual acres with local-business and small-business-enterprise preferences. Pinellas County Florida sought aerial larvicide application services (ITQ 26-0443-ITQ, April 23, 2026, estimated annual value $400,000) on standby basis during in-house aircraft maintenance. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice solicited fixed-wing aerial spraying across 26,000 acres of correctional agricultural operations (IFB IW244083, bid deadline April 13, 2026, base term September 2026 through August 2027 with four optional renewals). The City of Amarillo solicited airfield pre-emergent herbicide application (BVB 404-26 JLO, due February 26, 2026, estimated annual budget $41,000). Liquidated damages, strict weather and operational constraints, comprehensive insurance requirements, and weekly reporting are standard contract conditions across all jurisdictions.