2021 Aerial Application of Open Range G at ODFW Wildlife Areas

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a qualified contractor to provide helicopter aerial herbicide application services for the 2021 Wildlife Area Aerial Herbicide Project. The procurement involves hiring a helicopter and pilot to aerially apply Open Range G granular herbicide across approximately 5,565 acres of rangeland in the Malheur, John Day, and Grande Ronde Watersheds located in Eastern Oregon. The key project objective is to reduce the spread of invasive annual grasses and enhance wildlife habitat productivity. Specific contractor qualifications include possessing a FAR Part 137 certification, having a pilot with a minimum of 1,000 total helicopter flight hours, and at least 500 hours of low-elevation experience. The contractor will be responsible for complete herbicide application coverage, including reapplying to any missed areas during the initial treatment. Proposals were due by September 13, 2021, at 3:00 PM Pacific Time, with the contract period spanning from the signature date through September 29, 2021. The project will be funded through the USFWS Wildlife Restoration program and ODFW's internal budget.

No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were explicitly outlined in the procurement documents. The contract does not indicate any incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure requirements. Based on the sample contract document, the payment structure will be calculated on a per-acre basis, with a total not-to-exceed contract amount that was redacted in the provided materials. The contractor must provide comprehensive insurance coverage and comply with all federal, state, and local regulations governing herbicide application and aerial services. While precise budget ranges were not disclosed, the project involves treating 5,565 acres of rangeland, suggesting a moderate-scale environmental management contract. The procurement appears open to qualified helicopter service providers with the necessary certifications, experience, and operational capabilities to perform precise aerial herbicide application in challenging Eastern Oregon terrain.