Aerial Herbicide Application at Blackwater River State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for aerial herbicide application services at Blackwater River State Forest in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The procurement is an Invitation to Bid (ITB No. ITB FFS 24 25 155) targeting the Yellow Bird area, which encompasses approximately 671 acres divided into three treatment zones of 380, 107, and 183 acres. Contractors must possess a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services commercial pesticide applicator's license with an aerial category. The specified herbicide application requires a tank mix of 40 oz Chopper Gen 2, 48 oz Garlon XRT, and 32 oz methylated seed oil per acre, applied via helicopter at a minimum of 10 gallons of mixture per acre. Bid submissions are due on May 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, with a public bid opening teleconference scheduled for May 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM. The contract stipulates that all herbicide application must be completed by August 31, 2025, and will be awarded to the responsive and responsible vendor with the lowest Grand Total Price.

The solicitation does not explicitly indicate specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Insurance requirements are comprehensive, mandating general liability coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, with additional provisions for automobile and worker's compensation insurance. While the specific budget range is not disclosed in the provided documentation, the procurement covers a substantial aerial application project across nearly 671 acres. The Department reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of acres under contract, providing flexibility in the final scope of work. No incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure requiring integration are mentioned in the current documentation. The contract appears to be a straightforward service procurement focused on precise herbicide application within a specified timeframe and geographic area.