2023 Bridge Cr Wildlife Area Fertilizer Application

The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) is seeking a contractor to perform aerial fertilization services for the 2023 Bridge Creek Wildlife Area project in Union County. The procurement requires a qualified vendor to provide either a fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter with an experienced pilot and a calibrated fertilizer spreader to apply granular fertilizer at a rate of 170 lbs. per acre across approximately 400 acres of rangeland near Ukiah, Oregon. Key deliverables include maintaining GPS tracking logs of the applied area, completing all work by May 1, 2023, and coordinating daily activities with ODFW staff. The Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on January 10, 2023, with proposals due by January 24, 2023, and ODFW planning to issue a Notice of Intent to Award on January 31, 2023. The contract will have a maximum term of two months, specifically targeting the period between April and May 2023. ODFW will provide the fertilizer and a shape file of the application area, while reserving the right to ground any pilot performing unsatisfactorily and requiring a replacement within 48 hours.

While no specific set-aside designations or restrictions on responding organizations were explicitly mentioned in the documentation, the contract appears to be open to qualified aerial application contractors with appropriate aircraft and pilot credentials. The procurement documents indicate a per-acre payment methodology, with ODFW prepared to compensate the selected contractor based on the actual acres treated. The contract includes a not-to-exceed amount, though the specific budget range was redacted in the sample contract. Importantly, payment is contingent on ODFW receiving appropriate funding and the contractor completing services to the agency's satisfaction. The project requires specialized equipment including a fixed-wing or helicopter aircraft, a calibrated fertilizer spreader, and potentially support services like a fuel truck with a licensed driver. Contractors will need to demonstrate technical capability, pilot experience, and the capacity to apply fertilizer precisely across rangeland terrain.