Aerial fruit fly release, Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico

The USDA-APHIS is seeking a contractor to provide airplane and crew services for the aerial release of sterilized fruit flies in Tijuana and Reynosa, Mexico. The contractor must use fixed-winged airplanes and qualified pilots for the aerial distribution of sterile fruit flies. The contractor will be responsible for modifying their aircraft to accommodate the installation of an insect release machine and related equipment. The contract will be for a period of five years, with each year being an ordering period. The contractor must comply with Mexican regulations and provide flight logging systems that meet specific requirements. Some key requirements include: • The aircraft must be a single engine or multi-engine fixed-wing airplane capable of maintaining a minimum cruise speed of 140 mph. • The aircraft must have a recorder that will automatically record flight time in hours and tenths of hours. • The contractor must provide a portable electric generator and accessories for cleaning the airplane. • The pilot must be a qualified instrument rated Commercial pilot or Airline Transport pilot with a current medical certificate. • The pilot must have more than 800 hours total time and more than 200 hours in category and class as pilot-in-command.