KS, QUIVIRA NWR - AERIAL (helicopter) SPRAYING

The contract involves aerial herbicide treatment of invasive phragmites and cattails within the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge in Kansas during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, with an emphasis on treating previously affected areas and new zones identified on the project map. Annually, approximately 350 acres will be treated, consisting of around 300 acres of new treatments and 50 acres of retreatments, which will be determined through ground assessments each year. The contractor is responsible for providing all necessary equipment, chemicals—specifically imazapyr and surfactant—and labor to carry out helicopter-based aerial spraying. Precision is critical to avoid damaging native vegetation, and helicopters equipped with boom sprayers are required due to their accuracy and efficiency over large areas, as drone spraying is deemed unsuitable. A 50-foot buffer zone around patches will be sprayed to ensure thorough treatment of rhizomes, with spraying conditions limited to wind speeds of 10 mph or less to minimize chemical drift, in accordance with herbicide label instructions. The work must be completed between August and October, preferably late August through September, to avoid migration periods. Interested vendors must confirm their status as direct service providers, provide specific identification codes, and submit responses by July 3, 2025, to be considered for this project.