Phragmites Control Project August 2019

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) for a Phragmites Control Project targeting aerial herbicide treatment across multiple counties. The solicitation (DS20011) sought a contractor to perform helicopter-based herbicide application on approximately 1,931 acres, with specific treatment allocations including 1,140 acres in Box Elder County, 266 acres in Davis County, 375 acres in Davis/Salt Lake County, and 150 acres in Salt Lake County. Bidder qualifications were stringent, requiring pilots with a minimum of two years of experience in aerial herbicide application to phragmites, with a documented history of treating at least 1,000 acres annually. Potential contractors were required to submit comprehensive documentation including pilot resumes, client references, treatment history, and contact information. The bid was opened on July 25, 2019, at 9:00 AM MDT and closed on July 31, 2019, at 3:00 PM MDT, with the contract period spanning August 1st to August 31st, 2019. Evaluation criteria focused on responsiveness, compliance with mandatory minimum requirements, and the ability to complete the work within the specified timeframe using helicopter-based herbicide application.

The solicitation did not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract was ultimately awarded to Hammond Helicopter, indicating they met the rigorous qualification standards. While specific budget details were not disclosed in the available documentation, the scope of work covering nearly 2,000 acres across multiple counties suggests a substantial contract value. The project required precise aerial application capabilities, indicating a specialized service with potentially significant technical and operational requirements. No information was provided about existing infrastructure or technology integration needs. The procurement was focused on environmental management, specifically controlling phragmites through targeted herbicide treatment, suggesting an ecological restoration or habitat management objective. The contract's narrow timeframe of one month in August 2019 indicates a specific, time-sensitive intervention in the identified geographical areas.