This is for the spraying to kill and defeat cogongrass. Cogongrass is an invasive species in Mississippi and in the Southern Region of the USA.

This contract engages contractors to apply herbicides for the control and suppression of cogongrass, an invasive species impacting Mississippi and the broader Southern United States. The work involves foliar spraying using approved herbicides such as imazapyr and glyphosate across rights-of-way, forested lands, and agricultural margins throughout the state, with specific focus on the six coastal counties under the RESTORE Grant and statewide coverage under the BIL Grant. Performance is measured by achieving over 80% suppression of cogongrass, with strict adherence to manufacturer label rates, environmental buffer zones, and weather restrictions—no application is permitted when winds exceed 10 mph or rainfall is predicted within the required no-rain window. All applications must be documented using agency-provided GPS software, and treated areas are subject to on-site inspection by the Mississippi Forestry Commission, which retains the right to require cost-free re-treatment if standards are not met. Contractors must hold a valid Mississippi commercial pesticide applicator license and possess at least two years of documented experience in invasive vegetation control, particularly with cogongrass. Bids are evaluated on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable basis, where responsiveness and minimum qualifications must be satisfied before price becomes the determining factor. The contract is firm-fixed-price, with a base term of one year running from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and up to three optional one-year renewals contingent on mutual agreement. All herbicides must be handled, mixed on the day of application, and containers disposed of in compliance with EPA, OSHA, and Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce regulations. Contractors are required to submit bid materials—including licensing proof, insurance, business registration, and experience summaries—via the MAGIC portal, email, or physical delivery with separate deadlines for electronic and paper submissions. The contract includes clauses prohibiting contingent fees, requiring indemnification of the state, and affirming that all work products become state property, with strict adherence to anti-fraud, debarment, and legal compliance certifications mandated through Appendix C.