NR FRD ELP Drone Aerial Spraying Project FY25

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Division issued Request for Proposal (RFP 250000002136) for a drone aerial spraying project in the Northeast Lower Peninsula, seeking specialized aerial spraying services for fiscal year 2025. The procurement sought qualified vendors to provide comprehensive drone-based aerial spraying capabilities, with six total bidders submitting proposals: Hammock Flying Services, Aura LLC, Wildlife and Wetland Solutions, Noxious Vegetation, Quality Drone, and AgTak LLC. The solicitation was posted on SIGMA VSS on April 18, 2025, with proposals initially due by May 5, 2025, and a final contract award notice released on May 15, 2025. Evaluation criteria focused on pass/fail assessments involving schedule requirements, detailed work statements, and comprehensive pricing tables. The solicitation process was managed by Solicitation Manager Kim Marton and Reforestation Specialist Evan Farinosie, who conducted a thorough review of all submitted proposals to determine the most responsive and responsible bidder.

The contract was ultimately awarded to AgTak LLC from Cullman, Alabama, at a total contract value of $29,925.00, which represented the lowest compliant bid. No specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged businesses were identified, and none of the bidders were classified as Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB). The procurement requires final State Administrative Board approval before becoming fully executable. Bidders who were not selected were offered an opportunity to schedule a debriefing session with the Solicitation Manager to understand the rationale behind their non-selection. The aerial spraying project appears to be a targeted initiative within the DNR Forest Division's operational strategy, focusing on precise and efficient vegetation management using drone technology in the Northeast Lower Peninsula region.