Drone Application SE KS

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks is seeking bids for a drone application project in Southeast Kansas, specifically targeting aerial herbicide application and seeding across five wildlife areas in multiple counties, including Crawford County. The procurement is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) with event number EVT0010363, soliciting a three-year contract for drone-based environmental management services. The project encompasses approximately 40,000 acres across Cherokee Lowlands, Mined Land, Neosho, Grand Osage, and Elk City Wildlife Areas, with contractors required to demonstrate specialized capabilities in drone operations. Key deliverables include precise mapping of flight paths, spot spraying in wetlands and uplands, site-specific imagery capture, and targeted herbicide application to control invasive species like cattail, phragmites, reed canary grass, and noxious weeds. The bid is open from June 2, 2025, to June 18, 2025, with electronic submissions due by 2:00 PM CST to procurement@ks.gov, and bids must be accompanied by a current Tax Clearance Certificate. Contractors must provide $1,000,000 in liability insurance, respond to service requests within 14 days, and submit shapefiles of treated areas.

The procurement includes provisions for various bidder preferences, including opportunities for Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses. Political subdivisions may potentially utilize this contract, and the state encourages vendors to have policies discouraging human trafficking. Pricing will be structured per acre for herbicide application, spot spraying, mapping, and aerial seeding, with seeding rates estimated at 20-40 lbs/acre. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly detailed, the contract allows for fluctuating annual usage from 0 to 4,000 acres based on environmental conditions and budget availability. The state offers multiple communication channels for potential vendors to ask questions and seek clarification about bid requirements. The contract includes an option to renew for an additional two-year term, and payment will be processed within 30 days of satisfactory work completion. Herbicides and seeds will be provided by wildlife area managers, reducing material procurement responsibilities for the selected contractor.