Mand. PreBid* Herbicide Treatment - LDWF - Addendum No. 2 - Vendor Questions and the State's Responses / Pre-Bid

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is seeking a contractor to perform a herbicide treatment project in the Dewey Wills Wildlife Management Area within the Little River Basin. The procurement involves applying prescribed herbicides on 1,100 acres of small trees using low-volume backpack sprayers, specifically targeting water elm, swamp privet, and black willow trees less than 6 feet tall. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for July 21, 2025, at 9:00 AM, and the bid opening will occur on August 5, 2025, at 10:00 AM CST. The work is to be completed between August 30 and October 31, 2025, with a potential 20% retreatment planned for August 2026. Bidders must be registered in the LaGov system and attend the mandatory pre-bid conference to be eligible to submit a bid. Contractors are required to have at least one registered Commercial Applicator certified in General Forestry. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will provide the herbicides, while the contractor will be responsible for water and container disposal. The herbicide application must ensure at least 85% of each tree's apical meristems receive spray, using a mix of 4% Accord XRT II, 0.75% Arsenal, 4 oz. Escort XP per 100 gallons, and 1% surfactant.

While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, bidders must comply with various state and federal regulations, including civil rights laws and ADA requirements. Contractors are required to provide comprehensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, commercial general liability, and automobile liability, with specific minimum coverage amounts. Payment will be structured with 90% of the contract value paid upon initial project completion and the final 10% contingent on the potential retreatment in 2026. The state intends to award the contract to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder meeting the specifications, with the right to reject individual line items. Electronic payment methods, including LaCarte procurement card for purchases under $5,000 and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), will be used. Bidders must submit required documentation, including a W-9 for newly registered vendors, and provide certifications regarding boycotts, firearm industry relations, and federal suspension or debarment status. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the project involves treatment of 1,100 acres with detailed herbicide application requirements.