Aerial Spray

The Kansas Adjutant General, through the State of Kansas Department of Administration Office of Procurement and Contracts, is issuing an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for aerial application of herbicides to control Musk Thistle at Smoky Hill Air Force National Guard Range in Salina, Kansas. The procurement seeks qualified vendors to conduct aerial spray applications covering approximately 800 acres in spring (April 15–May 15) and approximately 3,800 acres in fall (October 20–November 20 or prior to soil freeze-up). Spring applications require 2 pounds active ingredient 2,4-D LVE plus 4 ounces of Milestone per acre, while fall applications require 4 ounces of Milestone per acre, with a minimum 3-gallon total spray volume per acre for both seasons. Bidders must demonstrate five years of continuous active participation in comparable aerial spray application services and must provide references, technical literature, qualifications, and certifications. Spray blocks will be mapped using ArcMap technologies with GPS locations, with a minimum block size of 100 acres across multiple sites within the 34,000-acre range. The contract term extends from the date of award through May 31, 2031, with payment on a per-acre basis following completion of each application and receipt of detailed invoices including acreage sprayed and maps. The bid closing date is May 21, 2026, at 2:00 PM CST, with written questions due by close of business on Thursday, April 30, 2026, submitted to Procurement Officer Nicole D. Mears at nicole.mears@ks.gov. Amendment One, posted April 16, 2026, corrects specifications in Section 4.4 regarding application rates and acreage, and contractors must acknowledge acceptance of this amendment by providing company name, authorized signature, title, and date as part of their bid response.

Bidders must register with the State of Kansas and submit a current Tax Clearance Certificate from the Kansas Department of Revenue, a Certification Regarding Immigration Reform and Control form, a Boycott of Israel certification, and a Sexual Harassment policy acknowledgment with their bids. The State reserves bidder preference programs for Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses and Certified Businesses, with supporting documentation required for preference claims. Bidders may not claim additional pricing adjustments beyond an optional incremental increase not exceeding 5 percent annually for contract Years 2–5, and the herbicide cost must be included in bidder cost calculations. Bidders must possess or have access to appropriate aircraft for aerial application and must coordinate with the agency point of contact and Smoky Hill Air Force National Guard Range tower for clearance and scheduling, acknowledging that military training missions may restrict application windows. Political subdivisions are permitted to utilize this contract at the same pricing as the State. No specific budget or award value is detailed in the solicitation documents; however, the contract encompasses application services for up to 4,600 annual acres over a five-year contract period with firm pricing required for each year.