UNSPSC 71121901: Downhole fluid evaluation services

Services to assess which are the appropriate downhole fluids to use.

UNSPSC 71121901 Downhole fluid evaluation services is a Commodity code. State and local governments procure under this code primarily orphan oil and gas well plugging, abandonment, and site restoration services—work that entails comprehensive well conditioning, abandonment planning, environmental remediation, and full site reclamation. The issuing bodies are state environmental and energy departments (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Mississippi Oil and Gas Board; Texas General Land Office; Railroad Commission of Texas; Illinois Department of Natural Resources) and county industrial development authorities, reflecting the concentration of orphan well remediation in state-level environmental programs funded partly through federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grants. Recent solicitations demonstrate sustained activity: Michigan EGLE has posted four direct solicitations (July 2026) for plugging and site restoration of 38 orphan gas storage wells across Gratiot and Montcalm counties, each requiring prequalification through prior RFPs and mandatory attendance at pre-proposal meetings; the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board has issued three IFBs (March–April 2026) for plugging, remediation, and reclamation of orphaned wells at various locations; and the Texas General Land Office and Railroad Commission have issued RFQs for statewide well plugging services across multiple districts and oil and gas zones. Scope consistently includes site supervision, labor across equipment classifications (roustabouts, toolpushers, cementing crews, wireline operators), drilling and rig services, well casing and tubing rental, mud engineering and fluids, cementing, waste disposal, and site restoration—with all work subject to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements when federally funded.

Geographic activity concentrates in Michigan, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois, and Florida, with secondary activity in other states where state agencies manage orphan well remediation. Michigan leads in recent posting volume, with the four July 2026 direct solicitations collectively addressing 38 wells in a single county and subject to federal prevailing wage (wage rates $39.57–$41.32 per hour plus $25.00–$40.00 fringe depending on classification). Bidders across all recent opportunities must demonstrate five or more years of relevant experience, possess business-owned equipment lists, and achieve a minimum technical score of 80 points for award consideration; selection uses best value, not lowest price alone. Evaluation criteria emphasize key personnel, equipment adequacy, technical experience, and vendor responsiveness equally at 25 points each. Michigan's solicitations restrict bidding to vendors prequalified through named prior RFPs and require firm pricing with no change orders except for unforeseen downhole conditions. The code sees active, federally funded procurement concentrated in the Upper Midwest and Gulf regions through Q3 2026, with strong demand for established contractors who can staff large crews, manage prevailing wage compliance, and operate specialized drilling and well service equipment.