Aerial fruit fly release, Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico
Closed Solicitation Posted
This opportunity was awarded. See the award notice from .
- Solicitation number
- 12639525Q0114
- Agency
-
Marketing and Regulatory Programs Business Services
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Department of Agriculture
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation
- Place of performance
- Baja California Mexico
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The United States Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) is seeking airplane and crew services for aerial release of sterilized fruit flies in Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico to support Mexican fruit fly population control. The solicitation requires contractors to utilize fixed-wing aircraft with specialized modifications to install a government-provided chilled insect release machine, with qualified pilots capable of precise aerial dispersal. Evaluation criteria will assess technical capabilities including aircraft safety records, maintenance facilities, pilot experience, and program management expertise. The contract opportunity is being procured using full and open competition under NAICS code 481212 for Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation, with a small business size standard of 1,500 employees. Quotes are due by May 30, 2025, with the government intending to issue one or two indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts for these services.
The contract has no specific set-aside designation and will cover a five-year performance period from June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2030, with annual ordering periods. The government estimates 312 flight hours annually for Tijuana and 416 flight hours for Reynosa, with fuel costs reimbursed up to $30,000 and $100,000 respectively for those locations. The place of performance is in Baja California, Mexico, specifically targeting areas prone to periodic wild fruit fly introductions. Contractors can bid on either or both locations, with the primary objective of preventing millions of dollars in potential agricultural damage by strategically releasing sterilized fruit flies. The contract will require extensive coordination with local civil aeronautics authorities and adherence to specific operational parameters, including dispersal times between 9am-3pm and use of government-provided GPS routes for insect release.
Notice text
6 versions
Update #6 · Latest ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Solicitation posted below.
Insect release machine specs posted below.
Amendment 1 is posted below. It changes the due date for receipt of quotes.
Amendment 2 posted below.
RFIs posted below.
Amendment 3 is posted below.
Update #5 ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Solicitation posted below.
Insect release machine specs posted below.
Amendment 1 is posted below. It changes the due date for receipt of quotes.
Amendment 2 posted below.
RFIs posted below.
Update #4 ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Solicitation posted below.
Insect release machine specs posted below.
Amendment 1 is posted below. It changes the due date for receipt of quotes.
Amendment 2 posted below.
Update #3 ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Solicitation posted below.
Insect release machine specs posted below.
Amendment 1 is posted below. It changes the due date for receipt of quotes.
Update #2 ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Solicitation posted below.
Update #1 ·
USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.
The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.
Background:
Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.
The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.
We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 12639525Q0114-0003.pdf | ||
| RFIs and answers.docx | DOCX document | |
| 12639525Q0114-0002.pdf | ||
| 12639525Q0114-0001.pdf | ||
| Attachment 1_ Insect Release Machine Specs.pdf | ||
| 12639525Q0114.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial fruit fly release, Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico | Award Notice | |
| This notice | Solicitation | |
| Aerial fruit fly release, Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico | Pre-Solicitation |
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