USDA Forest Service, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019-3050.

F -- AERIAL SUPPRESSION OF GYPSY MOTHS SOL RFP R8 08-98-1 DUE 011598 POC Sheila Ratcliff, (540) 265-5115), for requesting a copy of the Solicitation or Larry Logan, (540) 265-5111), for questions. Item 1 -- 1998 Gypsy moth suppression: Provide all labor, equipment, materials (except Government furnished items) and transportation and other items required to aerial spray approx. 3,000 to 6,000 acres (± 15%). Insecticides to be applied are Gypchek (3,000 acres) and Btk (3,000 acres). Government will be providing all Gypchek and Gypchek additives and Btk. Applications are to be made on twelve areas of 500 acres each, at elevations ranging from 2,000' to 3,400'. Six areas (3,000 acres) are located on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, in Augusta County in Virginia and six areas (3,000 acres) are located on the Monongahela National Forest, in Pocahontas County in West Virginia. The six areas on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests will consist of 1,500 acres of Gypchek and 1,500 acres of Btk; the six areas on the Monongahela National Forest will consist of 1,500 acres of Gypchek and 1,500 acres of Btk. The Contractor will be required to provide one observation helicopter for each application helicopter. All areas are to be sprayed using rotary winged aircraft due to the mountainous terrain. In addition to providing insecticide application and observation costs, bidders will be required to provide a Differentially Corrected Global Positioning System-Based Aircraft Tracking Guidance and Flight Path Recording System (DGPS) in the application aircraft. Small business concerns and firms other than small business concerns may participate. (0300)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0026 19971029\F-0002.SOL)