Crawfords State Forest Invasive Treatment

The Virginia Department of Forestry is soliciting bids for invasive marsh dewflower (Murdannia keisak) treatment at Crawfords State Forest in Madison County through foliar application with backpack sprayers, with proposals due September 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM EST and work completion required by October 15, 2026 or before the target species begins to fruit, whichever occurs first. DSBSD-certified small businesses receive set-aside award priority under the Commonwealth's procurement framework.

The scope covers treatment of approximately 21 acres of marsh dewflower in a bald cypress forest with intermittent flooding and marshy conditions. The contractor must guarantee a 90 percent or greater mortality rate on all treated target species and is responsible for retreating any large patches showing no mortality. Treatment must use only aquatic-approved glyphosate herbicide mixed at 2 percent solution per label instructions; alternative chemicals require prior Department of Forestry approval. The contractor must maintain herbicide labels, material safety data sheets, and complete application records on site during work and retain records for at least two years per Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services requirements.

Required qualifications include a Virginia Category 5 (aquatic pest control) commercial pesticide applicator license, a Pesticide Business License, and a Certificate of Insurance naming both the Virginia Department of Forestry and Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as additional insureds. Bidders must submit documentation of at least four current or recent commercial or governmental accounts demonstrating similar experience as part of the Vendor Data Sheet (Attachment B).

Pricing is submitted as an all-inclusive per-acre bid price through eVA. Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. Site visits are optional but encouraged; interested bidders should contact Katlin DeWitt at (434) 906-3427 or katlin.mooneyham@dof.virginia.gov to arrange inspections. Questions are due before the September 14 deadline. Standard Commonwealth terms govern: workers' compensation, employer's liability ($100,000), commercial general liability ($1 million per occurrence / $2 million aggregate), payment within 30 days, and seven-day subcontractor payment requirements with one percent monthly interest penalties for late payment.