Notice of Intent to Award RFP 250000002884

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) issued Request for Proposal (RFP) 250000002884 for Wetland Mitigation Site Drone Herbicide Application, with proposals originally due on September 3, 2025, at 3 p.m. EST. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform safe and effective aerial drone herbicide application at multiple locations within Bay County, with herbicide to be provided by MDOT. Qualified bidders were required to possess a Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's Certificate, FAA Part 137 Commercial Agricultural Aircraft Operations Certification, and FAA Part 107 Remote Pilots Certification. The project involves herbicide application by the acre at five specific locations: M53 33 Mile Road, Black River, Holstege, Oakwood, and Shiawassee River. Work is scheduled for late summer/early fall, with the contractor receiving seven working days' notice before optimal treatment dates. Three vendors submitted proposals: PLM Lake and Land Management Corp, Aura LLC, and Mid-Michigan Drone Applicators LLC, all of whom met the mandatory minimum requirements.

The contract is structured for an initial one-year term with two potential one-year renewal options. No specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises were noted in the documentation. After a comprehensive evaluation process, Aura LLC was recommended for award at the lowest total price of $9,211.58, pending State Administrative Board approval. Unsuccessful bidders were encouraged to schedule a debriefing with the Solicitation Manager to understand their non-selection. The procurement process appears to be open to qualified commercial entities with appropriate certifications and operational capabilities in aerial herbicide application. The total contract value represents a relatively modest investment for MDOT's wetland mitigation site maintenance, focusing on precise and environmentally controlled herbicide application using drone technology.