Purchase of HYLIO HYL-150 ARES 13-gallon Agricultural Spray Drone, and Hands on Training

The St. Johns River Water Management District is seeking to procure a HYLIO HYL-150 ARES 13-gallon Agricultural Spray Drone package through a competitive quote request (INFQ 41102) for invasive plant management across its 18-county service area. The comprehensive procurement includes one HYL-150 ARES drone with specific technical requirements such as a 13-gallon payload capacity, FPV camera, GroundLink controller, autonomous and manual flight modes, and an obstacle avoidance system. Additional deliverables encompass the AG-272 toolkit, Agrosol GCS ground control software, spare parts kit, battery chargers, batteries, and three days of hands-on training. Interested vendors must submit quotes via DemandStar by 2:00 p.m. on March 25, 2025, with award recommendations based on the lowest quote meeting all technical and training specifications. The District has established precise technical parameters, including pre-planning software compatibility and live streaming camera capabilities.

The procurement opportunity includes specific vendor restrictions, explicitly prohibiting bids from manufacturers domiciled in or controlled by foreign countries of concern, which effectively eliminates vendors like DJI, XAG, and Autel Robotics. The District is tax-exempt and actively encourages maximum participation from women and minority-owned business enterprises, implementing diversity-focused procurement strategies. While no specific contract value is explicitly stated, the procurement appears focused on a single drone unit with comprehensive training and support package. The solicitation covers Polk County and is part of the broader St. Johns River Water Management District's invasive plant management program, which manages over 425,000 acres of public lands. Potential respondents can contact Procurement Specialist Breanna Pierce at (386) 643-1168 or bpierce@sjrwmd.com for additional information or clarification about the quote request.