The USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife
Services program announced in December they were seeking to establish a
contract for commercial aviation services in support of predator damage
management activities in Montrose, Delta, Ouray, Mesa, Pitkin, Gunnison, and
San Miguel counties in Colorado. Companies interested in supporting the contract
had until Dec. 28 to bid on the request.
An Award Notice was released Monday with a contract award
date of Jan. 1, 2024, showing Olathe Spray Service, Inc. as the awarded
contractor. Olathe performs crop-dusting and has repeatedly over the years
assisted in search and rescue efforts, as well as other public service work in
Colorado.
In November 2022, an Olathe helicopter joined
the search for a missing hunter who was later found dead in Black Canyon, Colo.
In August 2019, an Olathe helicopter pilot survived a crash while
spraying a cornfield in Montrose County.
The new USDA work will be performed under a firm fixed price indefinite delivery indefinite quantity commercial services contract.
Olathe shall furnish, operate, and maintain one fixed-wing
aircraft and one pilot for use by the USDA, the documents say.
“Flights will be required to reduce coyote predation on
livestock, for disease monitoring, or to remove invasive species,” the agency
said in the contract. “Flights may not be required for extended periods because
of lack of predation or inclement weather conditions, but the aircraft must be
available to provide services when needed upon 48 hours’ notice. Most aerial
operations will occur from January through April and sporadically in October,
November, and December.”
The USDA requests the aircraft must be a Piper Super Cub
PA-18 or Cub Crafters CC18.
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