Invasive plant pest management & mitigation servic

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, is issuing an Invitation to Qualify (ITQ) for invasive plant pest management and mitigation services, with qualifications accepted through December 31, 2031. All Commonwealth agencies are permitted to use any resulting contract; work will be primarily requested and directed by PDA.

Contractors must register as a Procurement Vendor with the Commonwealth and obtain a vendor number through the PA Supplier Portal, then create a user profile in the PA JAGGAER Portal to submit qualifications electronically. Qualifications will only be accepted through JAGGAER.

The scope covers control and mitigation of invasive plants and pests of plants, with typical work including removal of pest host material and treatment of host plants with approved pesticides. The primary service category is Spotted Lanternfly Management/Mitigation, involving herbicide treatment and removal of Tree of Heaven trees and insecticide applications at designated private properties statewide. Contractors must furnish all equipment, materials, and personnel necessary to complete assigned work, including herbicide and insecticide applications, tree removal, woody debris management, and property restoration.

Minimum qualifications include two years of general experience in the field and at least one permanent employee holding a current Pennsylvania Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator's License certified in categories 6 (ornamental and shade trees) and 10 (right-of-way and weeds). Rate Card pricing ranges from $25.00 per tree for hack-and-squirt herbicide application on 3"-6.4" diameter trees to $1,100.00 per tree for chipped removal of trees 24.5" diameter and above; broadcast insecticide spraying ranges from $510.00 to $875.00 per acre depending on treatment area size. Contractors are subject to $100 penalties per incident for pesticide applications made to non-target trees or outside specified treatment areas and may be removed for repeated failures in application quality, specification adherence, or timely completion.

Contractors must maintain Worker's Compensation, Public Liability and Property Damage ($300,000 minimum), Automotive Liability ($300,000 minimum), and Environmental Impairment Liability ($500,000 per occurrence) insurance, with the Commonwealth named as additional insured. The contract term runs through December 31, 2031, with one optional five-year renewal term. Qualified contractors will be assigned projects via Purchase Orders based on contractor availability and budgeted funds.