Aerial Herbicide Treatment of Invasive Melaleuca Trees-Picayune Strand State Forest

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) is seeking competitive bids for aerial herbicide treatment services targeting invasive Australian melaleuca trees within Picayune Strand State Forest in Naples, Florida. The Invitation to Bid (ITB) solicits a vendor to provide comprehensive aerial treatment for approximately 2,500 acres, with a planned application in May 2026. Bidders must possess a Florida restricted use pesticide applicators license and a Florida Department of Agriculture Commercial Applicator's license. The procurement requires vendors to submit a unit price per acre for the entire project, with the contract to be awarded to the responsive and responsible vendor offering the lowest Grand Total Price. Key submission deadlines include a site visit period from August 20-27, 2025, sealed bid submissions due by September 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM, and a public bid opening via teleconference on September 23, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The project's primary objectives include ecological management by controlling invasive Melaleuca trees that disrupt natural ecological processes and create wildfire risks.

The procurement does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Contractors must provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including general liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 aggregate, along with $500,000 in chemical drift control liability insurance. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the solicitation indicates the Department reserves the right to make a single award or no award based on what is deemed in the best interest of the State of Florida. The contract will require precise documentation, as evidenced by the attached Herbicide Application Record form, which mandates detailed tracking of herbicide applications, including application dates, applicator information, herbicide names, concentration rates, and acres treated. Though a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project involves treatment of 2,500 acres, which suggests a substantial potential contract value for the selected vendor.