Loren Data's SAM Daily™

SAMDAILY.US - ISSUE OF JUNE 06, 2026 SAM #8958
SPECIAL NOTICE

F -- Unmanned Aerial Systems Trials for Release of Sterile Insect Technique Navel Orangeworm

Notice Date

6/4/2026 2:57:46 PM
 

Notice Type

Special Notice
 

NAICS

115112 — Soil Preparation, Planting, and Cultivating
 

Contracting Office

PPQ CPHST APO AA 34024 USA
 

ZIP Code

34024
 

Solicitation Number

1169789
 

Response Due

6/7/2026 2:00:00 PM
 

Archive Date

06/22/2026
 

Point of Contact

Todd Bierl, Phone: 612-336-3465
 

E-Mail Address

todd.k.bierl@usda.gov
(todd.k.bierl@usda.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

SBA Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)
 

Description

SOLE SOURCE The joint APHIS�CDFA Navel Orangeworm (NOW) Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Program in California currently relies on a fixed?wing Cessna 206 for sterile NOW releases. However, this method has consistently produced low and highly variable recapture rates (less than 0.1 percent), indicating that fixed?wing aerial release may be biologically and operationally unsuitable for NOW.In contrast, manual (hand) releases conducted in Arizona have yielded recapture rates one to three orders of magnitude higher, suggesting that the challenge lies with the release method rather than insect quality. This substantial disparity, combined with the high cost and limited operational resilience of the fixed?wing platform, underscores the need to evaluate alternative release technologies. Future pilot availability is also uncertain.Given advances in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), associated equipment, and release methods, UAS-based delivery may offer improved cost savings, operational flexibility, and efficiency compared to the current aircraft?based approach. The program is under increasing pressure to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, reduce costs, and plan for operational contingencies�including pilot availability. Stakeholders have also expressed interest in emerging technologies such as UAS for SIT applications.Accordingly, this is a valuable area for further exploration to potentially improve program savings, efficacy, and long?term sustainability. APHIS?PPQ has therefore initiated an evaluation of UAS?based NOW SIT releases, including preliminary field trials, to inform program direction and assess whether operational changes or future investments are warranted to support the long?term viability of the APHIS NOW SIT program. JUNE 07, 2026 5:00PM (EST) is the deadline for inquiries. All questions addressed to the below indiviual: Todd K. Bierl (Major Program Contracting Officer) Emergency Acquisition Marketing and Regulatory Program Business (MRPBS) Acquisition and Asset Management Division (AAMD) Acquisition Branch Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Office#(612)336-3465 Cell# (612)500-1321/(763)286-8084
 

Web Link

SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/9a03d2630fd948d49dd95de258461f25/view)
 

Place of Performance

Address: Bowie, AZ 85605, USA

Zip Code: 85605

Country: USA
 

Record

SN07840115-F 20260606/260604230041 (samdaily.us)
 

Source

SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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