Award Synopsis.Aerial.Aura.2884.pdf

Michigan.gov/MiProcurement

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AWARD RECOMMENDATION

Notice of Intent to Award Number: 250000001035

Notice of Intent to Award Date: 9/10/2025

The Michigan Department of Transportation’s purchasing office has completed the evaluation of RFP 230000002884, Wetland Mitigation Site Drone Herbicide Application, and has recommended an award to Aura, LLC, in the amount of $9,211.58, pending State Administrative Board approval, if applicable. More information on the State Administrative Board can be found at State Administrative Board.

Bidders who were not recommended for the award are encouraged to schedule a debriefing session with the Solicitation Manager. The debriefing session will provide the bidder with the State’s rationale on why the bidder was not recommended for the award. The Solicitation Manager may be contacted as follows:

ReChelle I. Kendrick, Solicitation Manager KendrickR1@michigan.gov 517-335-5905

Background Information:

This Request for Proposal (RFP) was to solicit responses to provide safe and effective use of herbicide (herbicide provided by MDOT) via aerial drone spraying. The application will be applied by the acre. The areas to be sprayed will be defined by MDOT and provided to the Contractor via the Location Specification Sheets (LSS). It is advised that the Contractor visit each site location prior to the application date(s) to preliminarily plan the application flights.

Work will be performed late summer/early fall at MDOT’s discretion. MDOT will provide the Contractor with seven (7) working days’ notice prior to the optimal treatment dates for each treatment location. The Contractor must communicate with the specific MDOT Program Manager for each spray site at least 24 hours prior to spraying at that site. This contract is for one year with two, one-year options to renew.

Bidder:

The RFP was posted on SIGMA VSS on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, for fourteen (14) days.

The following bidders submitted a proposal by the published due date of Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST.

Bidders Address, City, State, Zip Code SDVOB* GDBE**

PLM Lake and Land Management Corp

10785 Bennett Dr., Morrice, MI 48857

NO NO

Aura LLC 2612 Air Park Drive, Zeeland, MI 49464

NO NO

Mid-Michigan Drone Applicators LLC

254 Ot Rd., Auburn, MI 48611 NO NO

*SDVOB: Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business **GDBE: Geographically Disadvantaged Business Enterprise https://www.michigan.gov/dtmb/0,5552,7-358-82550_85746_48756---,00.html

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EVALUATION SYNOPSIS

I. Evaluation Process

A Responsible Vendor is a vendor that demonstrates it has the ability to successfully perform the duties identified by the solicitation. A Responsive proposal is one that is submitted in accordance with the solicitation instructions and meets all mandatory requirements identified in the solicitation.

Mandatory Minimum Requirements. To avoid disqualification, the bidder must meet the following mandatory requirements. Only proposals meeting the mandatory minimum requirements will be considered for evaluation. All documentation must be submitted during the solicitation process.

A. Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s Certificate B. FAA Part 137 Commercial Agricultural Aircraft Operations Certification C. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 107 Remote Pilots Certification

All bidders met the mandatory minimum requirements.

Proposal Instructions: Evaluation Process

The State will evaluate each proposal on a PASS/FAIL basis based on the criteria listed below. The full evaluation process is stated in the RFP Proposal Instructions. All bidders received a PASS rating for the evaluation process.

II. Evaluation Method Responses to this solicitation were reviewed by ReChelle I. Kendrick, Solicitation Manager, in collaboration with Jeremie Wilson, Environmental Studies Coordinator, Bureau of Development, Environmental Services.

III. Pricing Summary Pricing was evaluated for the bidder who received a PASS rating and is summarized below:

Locations PLM Lake and Land Management Corp

Aura LLC Mid-Michigan Drone Applicators LLC

M53 33 Mile Road – Metro $3,588.00 $1,708.96 $4,070.00

Black River – Bay $6,558.00 $3,122.62 $3,850.00

Holstege – Grand $980.00 $559.92 $3,850.00

Oakwood - Metro $1,044.00 $596.49 3,271.00

Shiawassee River – Bay $6,768.00 $3,223.59 $4,160.00

One Year Total $18,938.00 $9,211.58 $19,201.00

Criteria Pass/Fail

1. Confidential Treatment Form is completed and signed

2. Vendor Questionnaire is completed

3. Schedule A is completed and questions answered

4. Location Specification Sheet (LSS) completed with pricing

5. Agreement with Standard Contract Terms

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IV. Award Recommendation Award Recommendation is made to the responsive and responsible bidder who receives a PASS rating and offers the lowest price to the State of Michigan. Low price is determined by the bidder who meets the requirements and offers the lowest overall price as demonstrated by its proposal.

Award Recommendation is made to Aura LLC, in the amount of $9,211.58.