UNSPSC 71121203: Core preservation services

Services to keep the core in the same state as when it was brought to the surface.

UNSPSC 71121203 Core preservation services is a Commodity code capturing the plugging, abandonment, and site restoration of orphaned oil and gas wells—a specialized environmental remediation service that state and local governments procure primarily through state environmental agencies and special districts managing legacy energy infrastructure. State and local buyers under this code are soliciting contractors to plug wells, remove associated equipment, dispose of hazardous materials, and restore sites to compliance with regulatory standards, often using federal grant funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Recent opportunities show the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy issuing four direct solicitations in July 2026 for orphan well plugging across Gratiot and Montcalm counties (DS7612600000000322, DS7612600000000332, DS7612600000000352, and DS7612600000000342), totaling approximately 38 wells across four project groupings with proposals due July 21, 2026. The Mississippi Oil and Gas Board issued parallel solicitations for orphan well plugging in multiple Mississippi counties with April and May 2026 bid deadlines. Contracts typically require bidders to be prequalified through prior RFP vehicles, attend mandatory pre-bid meetings, submit detailed unit pricing across 60+ line items, and comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and federal Build America Buy America Act mandates on materials sourcing.

Recent activity concentrates in Michigan and Mississippi, with secondary activity in Texas (Railroad Commission) and scattered multi-state federal grant programs. Michigan's procurement heavily emphasizes prequalification gates restricting eligibility to a small universe of previously awarded contractors, with technical evaluation weighted equally across key personnel (25%), business-owned equipment (25%), technical experience and ability (25%), and vendor questions (25%), with 80-point minimums required and awards based on best value rather than lowest price. Pricing is unit-based across multiple service categories—rig configurations, labor by classification, equipment rental, materials, and site restoration—with all rates locked firm for project duration and no price changes permitted without state approval. Contracts range from 3 wells to 14 wells per solicitation with Davis-Bacon rates ranging $39.57–$41.32 per hour plus fringe at $10.18–$40.00. The code shows strong activity from state environmental regulators managing federal grant dollars; pursuit is warranted for contractors with prior well-plugging capacity, established equipment rosters, and Davis-Bacon compliance infrastructure, particularly in Michigan and Mississippi where multiple-well portfolios offer scale.