Aerial fruit fly release, Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico

USDA-APHIS seeks all interested and capable sources of providing airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies to support the USDA’s, International Services Mexican fruit fly (Mexfly) aerial release programs in Tijuana, Mexico, and Reynosa, Mexico.

The anticipated period of performance dates of the contracts for both the Tijuana and Reynosa locations are June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2030, for a total of five ordering periods, with each ordering period lasting one year.

Background:

Mexican fruit flies are occasionally transported inadvertently across our borders and introduced into the environment of the United States by numerous means. These flies come into the country on fruits and vegetables in various stages of their life cycle. If allowed to exist in the environment, they can cause millions of dollars in damage to agriculture and have a significant impact on both international and interstate trade. The female flies lay eggs in over two hundred varieties of fruits and vegetables. The utilization of the Sterile Insect Technique along with spray applications of pesticides is the only current solution to this problem. Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is committing resources to continually introduce sterilized fruit flies into areas that have historically been prone to periodic introductions of wild fruit flies.

The contractor must use fixed-winged airplane(s) and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. Special purpose modifications of the contractor aircraft, described herein, shall be required for installation of the chilled insect release machine and related equipment provided by the U.S. Government. The custom-made insect release box and dispersal apparatus have several components: a base mounted inside the aircraft, dispersal boxes, compressor, and electrical regulator. If using planes for a double box release machine, mounting legs must be added to the airplane and will be provided by the USDA.

We intend to issue one or two IDIQ contracts for these services. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 481212 Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is 1,500 employees. These services will be procured using full and open competition.