NR FRD Drone Aerial Spraying Projects FY26

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Resources Division is soliciting proposals through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for drone aerial herbicide spraying services across three regions: the Upper Peninsula, Northeast Lower Peninsula, and Northwest Lower Peninsula. The procurement seeks contractors to provide safe and effective herbicide application via aerial drones for forestry site preparation and seedling release activities across approximately 908.9 acres (862 acres in the Northeast Lower Peninsula across 19 sites, 428.2 acres in the Northwest Lower Peninsula across 13 sites, and 449.3 acres in the Upper Peninsula across 12 sites, with individual site acreages ranging from 7 to 91 acres). Contractors must submit per-acre pricing for all services, including labor, equipment, chemicals, and associated costs, and are responsible for providing all herbicides, labor, equipment maintenance, GPS systems, safety equipment, batteries, and supplies. Required qualifications include a Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) license for aerial pesticide application, FAA Part 107/137 compliance, valid Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's Licenses, and DNR chief pilot certification. The RFP was issued on April 27, 2026, with a bidders' question deadline of May 7, 2026, and a proposal submission deadline of May 19, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time; the anticipated contract begin date is June 1, 2026, with a one-year term running through May 31, 2027, and no renewal options specified. The contract includes liquidated damages provisions of $5,000 plus $100 per day for late or improper completion, and payment will be made by Electronic Funds Transfer within 45 days of invoice receipt.

No set-asides, incumbent vendor information, disadvantaged enterprise designations, or specific funding sources are identified in the solicitation materials. The contract does not specify restrictions on the types of organizations that can respond, nor are existing contractors or incumbent vendors listed. No specific budget ranges or award values are provided in the available documentation; pricing will be determined through the competitive bidding process based on per-acre rates submitted by qualified contractors. Contractors should note that the pricing submitted must remain firm for the entire 365-day pricing period beginning on the contract effective date of June 1, 2026.