FL Aerial Release of Fruit Flies

06/12/2024 Amendment 1 to solicitation posted.

QUESTION & ANSWER Question: Would the USDA considering removing the requirement for a FAR 91.313 Waiver or change the requirement to having a “FAR 91.313 Exemption, if necessary.” FAA FSDO has indicated the FAA will no long issue Certificates of Waiver for 91.313. That now must be done through the FAA Exemption process. The FAA FSDO also communicated that an exemption for medfly dispersal is not needed as the operation is considered “public use” as an activity of the USDA.

Answer: If FAA has indicated that FAR 91.313 Exemption/Waiver is not needed for the medfly services then this requirement will be removed from the statement of work. However, Contractors are required to obtain any other required Federal, State, or FAA approval, permits, and license to perform services as stated in Section 2.17 Certification Requirements – State/Federal of the Statement of Work.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) intends to award a firm fixed price Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for aircraft and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the Fruit Fly Preventive Release Program in these areas in the State of Florida and as needed to support additional fruit fly aerial release programs in Florida from proposals received in response to this request for proposals. Please read through the solicitation package and attachments carefully for more information and proposal submission instructions.