KFO and USFS 2019 Aerial Seeding

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Wildlife Resources issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) JH20-96 for a 2019 Aerial Seeding project targeting approximately 2,453 acres across Washington and Kane Counties. The procurement requires a fixed-wing aircraft contractor to perform aerial seeding in three specific project areas: UKC Broad Hollow Bullhog (1,109 acres), South Canyon Sevier River Bullhog (544 acres), and Pine Valley Fuel Break (800 acres). The contractor will be responsible for retrieving approximately 29,537 pounds of seed from the Division of Wildlife Resources warehouse in Ephraim, Utah, and transporting it to designated work sites. Key requirements include using GPS technology to ensure 100% coverage, providing electronic treatment coverage files, and equipping the aircraft with a global positioning system. Evaluation criteria will focus on bid price and prior performance references, with the contract awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The solicitation was opened on 12/23/2019 and closed on 1/6/2020, with a project performance timeline of 10 calendar days from the Notice-to-Proceed.

The solicitation documents do not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contractor must demonstrate experience in similar aerial seeding projects within the past three years by providing professional references. The bid requires the contractor to assume full responsibility for seed transport, storage, and handling, including replacing any damaged or lost seed at no additional cost to the state. While specific budget ranges are not detailed in the provided documentation, the procurement appears to be a competitive bidding process aimed at selecting a qualified aerial seeding contractor. The geographical scope is limited to specific areas within Washington and Kane Counties, suggesting a targeted ecological or land management intervention. No information is provided about incumbent vendors or existing technological infrastructure that would require integration.