Helicopter Spraying and Surveillance for DNREC Phragmites Control

The State of Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Wildlife Section is issuing a Request for Proposals for helicopter spraying and surveillance services to control invasive Phragmites reed across Delaware on a per-acre fixed-rate basis. The contractor must supply turbine-engine helicopters with a minimum 1,600-pound load capacity, qualified pilots with at least 300 hours of aerial spraying experience, ground support equipment, and all incidental services necessary to conduct herbicide applications and surveillance activities. Key deliverables include herbicide application at a rate of five gallons per acre, GPS-based surveillance documentation, photo documentation, and ferry services, with operations conducted Monday through Friday from August 10 through October 31 annually, with occasional weekend work as weather permits. The contractor must establish a Delaware-based operations facility or secure arrangements with a local Delaware airport facility and maintain equipment meeting specific technical requirements, including GPS navigation systems at AG-NAV II or later specifications. The evaluation criteria weigh cost at 40 percent, qualifications and experience of assigned personnel at 15 percent, familiarity with helicopter spraying for Phragmites control including responsiveness and flexibility at 25 percent, demonstrated equipment ability and experience at 10 percent, and capacity to meet requirements at 10 percent. The solicitation was publicly noticed on March 4, 2026, with a deadline for questions on March 11, 2026, written responses to be posted by March 18, 2026, and proposals due on March 27, 2026 at 1:00 PM local time, with award notification expected April 3, 2026. The contract term is two years with three optional one-year extensions, beginning July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028 for the initial period.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting eligibility to disadvantaged enterprises or specific organization types, indicating this is an open competition available to all qualified vendors. No incumbent contractor or current vendor information is identified in the solicitation documents. The contractor must maintain Aviation Liability insurance of $5,000,000 aggregate and Commercial General Liability insurance of $1,000,000 per occurrence/$3,000,000 per aggregate. Pricing must be submitted as a per-acre fixed rate inclusive of all contractor expenses including fuel, personnel, insurance, equipment maintenance, surveillance, photo documentation, and ferry costs, with no surcharges permitted. Historical data indicates approximately 3,375 acres of Phragmites were treated during the 2025 season; however, the state makes no guarantee regarding acreage to be sprayed under the pending contract, making budget estimates dependent on actual acreage treated and the contractor's per-acre rate submission.