Specifications include, but are not limited to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), Region 2 and Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is seeking bids for a vendor to provide the insects for biological control of noxious weeds for a 3-year period to include the 2021, 2022, and 2023 field season (fiscal years: 2022, 2023, 2024). These insects will be delivered F.O.B. Fish Wildlife & Parks at 3201 Spurgin Rd., Missoula, MT 59801, or as directed by FWP and DNRC. This will be a three-year contract to purchase insects to control the noxious weed, St. Johnswort. Delivery: Insects are to be delivered to FWP and DNRC as they become available and must be harvested and delivered within 48 hours. Insects are to be shipped with no reproductive parts of the plants provided for their food. FWP requests at least two-weeks prior notice before a particular insect harvest is anticipated and one-day prior notification when a shipment of insects is scheduled to arrive. Insects can be hand-delivered or overnight shipped. Insect harvest/packaging schedules should ensure delivery occurs Monday – Thursday. All insects are to be delivered in breathable containers placed into insulated containers with cold packs and packing material; care should be taken to assure uniform temperature, adequate air circulation, and cold packs should not encounter insect containers. Cost Proposal: St. Johnswort insects: Up to ~98,700 Chrysolina Species (Klamath Weed Beetles) $ (~93,660 for FWP, ~5,040 for DNRC) Up to ~39,480 Aplocera species (St. Johnswort Inchworm) $ (39,480 for fwp) Total $ The annual order and distribution of insects will be approximately as follows: FWP: Up to 93,660: Chrysolina species (Klamath Weed Beetles) (annual # of insects) [Yr – 2021: 28,350; Yr – 2022: 30,450; Yr – 2023: 34,860] (annual # of releases) [Yr – 2021: 270; Yr – 2022: 290; Yr – 2023: 332] Up to 21,735: Aplocera species (St Johnswort Inchworm) (annual # of insects) [Yr – 2021: 11,865; Yr – 2022: 5,145; Yr – 2023: 4,725] (annual # of insects) [Yr – 2021: 113; Yr – 2022: 49; Yr – 2023: 45] DNRC: Up to 5,040: Chrysolina species (Klamath Weed Beetles) (annual # of insects) [Yr – 2021: 1,680; Yr – 2022: 1,680; Yr – 2023: 1,680] (annual # of releases) [Yr – 2021: 16; Yr – 2022: 16; Yr – 2023: 16]
