Aerial Application of Herbicide with Helicopter

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered AS17012 for aerial herbicide application services using helicopter spraying in Northern Utah marshes. The procurement specifically targets Phragmites eradication across Box Elder, Weber, and Davis Counties, with a total project scope of 3,600 acres of herbicide application. Bidders were required to demonstrate compliance with federal, state, and local licensing requirements and provide detailed vendor information verifying no debarment history. The solicitation was conducted through the SciQuest electronic bidding platform, allowing both electronic and hard copy bid submissions during an open period from July 14, 2016, 12:00 AM MST to July 21, 2016, 2:00 PM MST. Mandatory minimum requirements included point-by-point vendor responses and adherence to specific procurement guidelines under commodity code 70140 for crop production, management, protection, and aerial applications. Bidders were strictly prohibited from communicating with procurement unit staff except through the designated procurement officer, and the contract was structured as a purchase order with specific terms and conditions.

The solicitation did not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract was ultimately awarded to Helo-Wood Helicopters, Inc. as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, indicating that price was a significant evaluation criterion. While specific budget ranges were not detailed in the available documentation, the scope of 3,600 acres suggests a substantial project investment. No information was provided about incumbent vendors or existing infrastructure requiring integration. The procurement followed standard State of Utah procurement protocols, emphasizing competitive bidding and vendor qualification verification. The contract's focus on invasive species management through precise aerial herbicide application demonstrates a targeted environmental management approach by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.