DOFAW-UAS Services-26 Unmanned Aerial Systems Operation

The Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) under the State of Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources is soliciting bids for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations and post-processing data services to support operations across the Oahu and Kauai branches. The procurement encompasses a comprehensive range of services including unmanned aerial surveys for topographical features and infrastructure monitoring, plant species surveys with bioacoustics monitoring capabilities, precision-point pesticide and herbicide treatments for target species, mobilization and demobilization services, and post-processing of associated data including orthomosaic mapping and flight path documentation. Bidders may submit offers for UAS services alone, post-processing services alone, or both services combined. Technical qualifications required include day and night flight capability around steep, forested landscapes with forward-looking infrared optics, high-resolution cameras with multiple angle capacities, Part 137 licensing for pesticide and herbicide applications, and treatment aircraft equipped with 360-degree radar-based obstacle avoidance with 50-foot sensor ranges. UAS teams must consist of a minimum of a pilot and spotter, with pilots capable of working around helicopters and hiking uneven terrain, and mobilization and demobilization hours cannot exceed five times actual UAS flight hours. Awards will be made to the lowest qualified bidder for each individual job. All offers must be submitted through the HIePRO system by the deadline of March 6, 2026, with the posting date of February 19, 2026, and failure to upload required documentation may result in disqualification or delays in contract execution.

The solicitation documents do not explicitly specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligibility to particular types of organizations, disadvantaged enterprises, or minority-owned businesses. No incumbent vendors or current contractors are identified in the available documentation, nor is any required integration with existing infrastructure or technology systems specified. The successful bidder(s) will enter into a formal contract with the State of Hawaii and execute work through State of Hawaii Purchase Orders following contract award. The contractor is classified as an independent contractor and must obtain all necessary licenses, permits, and tax clearances from both the Hawaii Department of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service prior to contract commencement. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation materials; compensation will be determined through the competitive bidding process based on the lowest bid submitted for each individual job.