Online Bidding RFP Aerial Support for Marijuana Eradication

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, Kentucky State Police issued a Request for Proposals (RFP 520 2300000264) on February 20, 2023, for aerial support services to assist the Governor's Marijuana Strike Force with eradication operations throughout Kentucky. The procurement seeks a qualified vendor to provide a single-engine turbine helicopter with an experienced pilot to locate, document, monitor, investigate, and eradicate illegal marijuana cultivation in southeastern, central, western, and northern regions of the state. The pilot must possess a minimum of 1,000 hours of experience in the specific helicopter make and model, hold a current commercial FAA rating with a Class 2 medical certificate, and preferably have experience in marijuana eradication or counter-drug operations in mountainous terrain. The helicopter must maintain current FAA Part 135 certification with three months of service records, and the vendor must carry liability insurance of at least $10,000,000 with the Commonwealth and Kentucky State Police listed as additional insureds. The contract period runs from May 15, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with potential renewal for up to two additional two-year periods, with base operations in London, Kentucky, and the vendor must be prepared to relocate to sites in Prestonsburg, Hazard, Campbellsville, Monticello, and Bowling Green. Proposals are due by March 23, 2023, at 2:00 PM Eastern Time, with written questions required by February 27, 2023, and Commonwealth responses anticipated by March 13, 2023. The evaluation awards 1,650 points for the technical proposal, 750 points for the cost proposal, and up to 100 points for oral presentations, totaling 2,500 possible points, with vendors required to submit proposals in three sealed parts: Technical Proposal, Cost Proposal, and Proprietary Information.

The RFP does not specify any set-aside designations or restrictions limiting participation to particular classes of organizations, indicating this is an open competitive solicitation available to all qualified vendors. No incumbent vendor or current contractor is identified in the solicitation documents. The vendor must propose an all-inclusive hourly rate for aircraft and pilot services with no itemized breakdowns, which will remain fixed for the entire season with any adjustments requiring thirty days' written notice and documented industry-wide price justification. The procurement anticipates up to 500 potential flight hours during the eradication season at approximately six hours per day, five days per week; however, there is no guarantee of minimum hours or payment, as compensation is contingent solely on Kentucky State Police mission requirements and available funding. All vendor expenses, including pilot transportation, meals, lodging, and aircraft storage, are the vendor's sole responsibility. The solicitation requires vendors to submit responses through the Kentucky Vendor Self Service (VSS) platform at https://emars311.ky.gov/webapp/vssprdonline3111d/AltSelfService with supporting documentation attached, and no bidder's conference is scheduled.