KDFWR - Aerial Herbicide Application Rockcastle WMA

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) is issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP 660 2400000176) for professional aerial herbicide application services at the Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area in Pulaski County, Kentucky. The procurement seeks a qualified contractor to aerially apply Triclopyr herbicide (44.4% or greater concentrate) at 1.5 quarts per acre with a 5-gallon per acre application volume, plus LI-700 surfactant at 3.2 ounces per acre across six units totaling 435 acres to control invasive autumn olive. The contractor must provide all herbicide and surfactant materials necessary for project completion and deliver a shapefile of treated areas upon completion. Key qualifications include possession of a current Kentucky Herbicide/Pesticide applicator license, minimum three years of experience in aerial forestry herbicide application, and documented completion of at least three professional projects of 100 acres or larger (or three projects of 700+ acres). Proposals will be evaluated on a maximum of 800 points: 600 points for technical merit (including executive summary, qualifications and experience, and three professional references) and 200 points for proposed cost. The RFP was released on January 22, 2024, with written questions due by January 26, 2024, and proposals due by February 7, 2024, at 12:00 PM EDT. The contract term runs from March 1, 2024, through June 31, 2024, with aerial application work required between April 1, 2024, and May 31, 2024, to be completed within five days of KDFWR notification that site conditions are suitable.

The RFP documents do not identify any set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, resident bidders, or other restricted business categories, though contractors must complete required affidavits attesting to compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws and, if claiming resident or qualified bidder status, must provide supporting documentation of corporate authorization, tax filing, and workers' compensation coverage. No incumbent contractor or existing infrastructure requirements are identified in the procurement documents. The contract is structured as a firm fixed unit price agreement with no cost-plus arrangements, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky is exempt from federal excise tax and Kentucky sales or use tax; therefore, contractors must not include these taxes in their cost proposals. Specific award values or budget ranges are not disclosed in the available documentation, as cost evaluation depends on the contractor's per-acre pricing submission on the provided Cost Proposal Form. Payment will be made within thirty working days of invoice receipt and acceptance of completed work. Contractors must comply with all applicable Kentucky statutes regarding corporate taxes, income taxes, occupational safety and health, unemployment compensation, and workers' compensation, and the KDFWR reserves the right to request best and final offers and to negotiate with the top-ranked vendor if agreement cannot be reached.