DCR Invasive Phragmites Control - Manned Aerial Herbicide Application - September 2026

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is soliciting bids for manned aerial herbicide application to control Phragmites australis across designated Natural Area Preserves and State Parks, with electronic bids due September 11, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. EST and a question deadline of September 10 at noon. This is a Small Business Priority Set-Aside solicitation with a tiered award structure: award goes to the lowest responsive and responsible DSBSD-certified micro business if the bid does not exceed $10,000 and is determined fair and reasonable; otherwise to a DSBSD-certified small business if the bid does not exceed $100,000 and is determined fair and reasonable; if neither criterion is met, award goes to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder of any size.

The contractor must hold a valid Virginia Category II Commercial Pesticide Applicator License and possess all required EPA and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services certifications. Scope encompasses manned aerial application using a light utility helicopter equipped with drift-minimizing boom equipment and GPS tracking systems at two sites: Northwest River Natural Area Preserve (approximately 30 acres) and False Cape State Park (approximately 130–230 acres), totaling between 160 and 260 acres. The contractor supplies herbicide, water carrier, materials, equipment, insurance, labor, and supervision. Herbicide specifications are Imazapyr-based at two quarts per acre with methylated seed oil surfactant at 24 ounces per acre.

Bidding is on a firm fixed per-acre basis; hourly rate pricing is not accepted. Work must begin within five business days of purchase order award and be completed by October 9, 2026. The DCR Project Manager, Shannon Alexander, must approve treatment before spray activity commences and will be present on-site throughout. The contractor must deliver GIS data in ESRI shapefiles format within four weeks of completion; payment is withheld until submission. Questions should be directed in writing to Timothy Hatton, DCR Procurement Officer. Optional pre-bid site visits are available prior to the September 11 deadline. The Commonwealth reserves the right to cancel the contract without penalty upon 60 days' written notice.