Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

RFP 2026-0401

Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Decarbonization Projects Program

Question Number

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

1 Liability

Can the liability in Section 11 be capped? The exposure on the part of the Contractor seems excessive due to the downhole risk and nature of the Work. In addition, it is impossible for a Contractor to obtain insurance for some of the potential risks associated with drilling the well.

Agency Response:

Thank you for your inquiry. If selected, we’ll happily talk through any adjustments needed before finalizing the contract. These contract terms reflect our current starting point for proposals. To ensure fairness during the solicitation period, we cannot negotiate individual contract terms during the solicitation period.

Please refer to the “RFP_Timeline 2026-0401 Updated -1.pdf” that states the date range that DOGAMI anticipates contract negotiations to be held.

2 Commercial

Due to uncertainties in performing subsurface work, can Section 4.1 be changed to require the Contractor to use its best efforts to complete the Services within the not-to-exceed amount and schedule? The current language essentially requires completion of the Services for the not-to-exceed maximum value of the Contract similar to a fixed price agreement. It is very difficult to stop the performance of work while wells are being drilled to negotiate a change order.

Agency Response: Thank you for sharing this concern. We understand that subsurface work can involve unexpected conditions that make it challenging to predict costs and pause work for change orders. At this stage, we need to keep the same terms and conditions in place for all proposers to ensure a fair process. However, if your team is selected, we can discuss these complexities during the negotiation period and work together to address any reasonable adjustments before finalizing the contract.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

3 Commercial

Change 17.5 be changed to Time is of significant importance. It is difficult to accurately estimate the time to complete the services due to unknown underground conditions.

Agency Response: Thank you for raising this point. We understand that underground conditions can be unpredictable, which makes scheduling challenging. To help support your planning, DOGAMI has posted a brief overview video in OregonBuys labeled “Proposal Vido Link.pdf” that explains the RFP and provides background on the regional geology. Supporting journal links are available within the “Proposal Vido Link.pdf” to support proposal planning as well.

4 Commercial p.9-

If DOGAMI awards Option 1, Option 2, and/or Option 3 to different contractors, who will serve as the prime integrator/wellsite authority with control over rig schedule, well control, site HSE, daily operations, interface management, and operational hold points?

Agency Response:

Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) will retain overall project oversight and final authority for contract administration, technical acceptance, and project decisions. Please note that there is still an expectation to work with an on-site Rig Manager (Toolpusher) that provides follows safety and compliance, operational management, crew management, and general administration throughout the duration of the project. DOGAMI can expand on expectations around on-site operations during the negotiation period with the awardee.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

5 RFP p.2

Please confirm whether the awarded contract will be based on one selected depth scenario, or whether DOGAMI expects pricing to remain valid for all 3,000 ft, 5,000 ft, and 8,200 ft scenarios after award. How will changes between depth scenarios be handled commercially?

Agency Response:

Thank you for your question. Please include pricing for each depth option listed in the solicitation.

We’ll choose the option that best fits the project’s goals, budget, and technical needs.

Choosing one option means the others will not be used. If there is a need to adjust the selected depth after the contract is awarded, DOGAMI will work with the selected contractor to discuss any necessary updates to the scope, schedule, or pricing.

6 RFP p.2

Since final target depth will be determined during contract negotiation, should proposers price 3,000 ft, 5,000 ft, and 8,200 ft as standalone turnkey cases, day-rate cases, or incremental depth alternatives from a common base well design?

Agency Response:

DOGAMI is anticipating a mix of incremental pricing based on a base well design, along with day‑rate pricing for each option. Some items, like pipe and cement, have straightforward, fixed costs, while crew time and other operational factors need to be reflected in day‑rate estimates. The goal is to get a realistic picture of the total cost for each drilling scenario, taking all parts of the operation into account for each option.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

7 Contract p.2; RFP p.8

Will drilling operations be paid on a daily-rate/time-and-materials basis as incurred, or only after final deliverable acceptance? Please clarify progress-payment milestones for mobilization, drilling days, casing, cementing, logging, testing, demobilization, and final reporting.

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. We understand that drilling projects involve many moving parts, so there is an expectation to discuss the best approach to payment during the negotiation period. In your proposal, please plan for a blended structure: incremental pricing based on a base well design, plus day‑rate details for the operational components.

Some items, such as pipe and cement, have fixed costs, while crew time, equipment use, and other activities are better captured through day‑rates. The awardee should expect to discuss payment timing and milestones during the negotiation period if selected, including mobilization, drilling days, casing, cementing, logging, testing, demobilization, and final reporting. Nothing is set in stone at this stage, and we’ll work with the awardee to build a payment structure that aligns with the project needs and reflects how the work is performed.

8 Contract p.11

In the event of termination during active drilling, will DOGAMI authorize and pay for safe suspension operations, well-control measures, temporary abandonment, site stabilization, demobilization, and regulatory compliance work necessary to avoid unsafe conditions?

Agency Response: Thanks for raising this important question. We understand that if work must stop during active drilling, there are safety measures and site‑stabilization steps that must be handled properly. If this situation were to occur, we’re committed to working with the selected contractor to determine what actions are necessary to keep the site safe and compliant.

Specifics around what would be authorized and how those activities would be paid for can be discussed during the negotiation period. Our goal is to ensure the well is left in a safe condition and that responsibilities and expectations are clear for both parties.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

9 Contract p.3

For drilling crews working rotations, will DOGAMI distinguish between named project-management/geoscience personnel and ordinary rig/service-company crew rotations so normal field staffing changes do not require prior written approval?

Agency Response: For project clarity, we ask that proposers identify their core project‑management and geoscience leads, as well as any subcontractors, in their proposals. This helps us understand who will be guiding the work, while still giving you the flexibility you need to manage normal crew rotations in the field. Routine staffing changes in field crews won’t require prior written approval;

however, we do ask that updates are provided via email for transparency

10 Contract p.4; RFP p.1

Will DOGAMI pre-approve identified subcontractors, consortium partners, wireline vendors, cementers, mud vendors, trucking/disposal vendors, laboratories, testing specialists, and civil contractors submitted in the proposal? What is the approval timeline for replacement subcontractors?

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. Please identify any subcontractors, partners, or specialty vendors in their proposals, so we understand the team you plan to bring to the project. If any subcontractor changes are needed after the contract is awarded, an email notification will keep all parties informed. The awarded contractor will be responsible for managing and overseeing all subcontractors throughout the project.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

11 RFP p.7

Is the 20-day deadline after rig demobilization intended for a preliminary field report or the final report including lab analyses, interpreted formation tops, geophysical logs, pressure data, final sample photography, and all third-party deliverables? Is the deadline negotiable if third-party deliverables are not complete within 20 days?

Agency Response:

Thank you for the question. The 20‑day deadline after rig demobilization applies to the contractor’s initial technical report. That first report should include the field notes, drilling records, preliminary logs, and any other information that’s reasonably available at that time.

We understand that some items such as lab analyses, third‑party reports, and other specialized deliverables may take longer. If those pieces aren’t ready within the 20 days, please note what’s pending in the initial report and include an estimated timeline for when you expect to deliver the remaining items.

The final reporting requirements, including how third‑party deliverables are handled, will be worked out with the selected contractor during negotiations before the contract is finalized.

12 Contract p.2;

Contract p.18

Will the final Exhibit A expressly authorize reimbursable expenses such as permits, bonds, trucking, disposal, lodging, fuel, materials, standby, fishing tools, lost-in-hole charges, weather delays, lab fees, civil construction, and third-party vendor costs?

Agency Response: Thank you for your question. If your team is selected, DOGAMI can walk through these details during the negotiation period and clarify which expenses will be covered in the final Exhibit A before the contract is signed. At this stage, we need to keep the same terms and conditions in place for all proposers to ensure a fair process.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

Contract p.18;

Contract p.20;

RFP p.8-9

When will DOGAMI provide the final Statement of Work, Special Terms, insurance schedule, bonding requirements, indemnity terms, limitation-of-liability language, payment terms, and full agreement template? Will proposers have an opportunity to review and object to project-specific terms before award?

Agency Response: The full contract, including the final Statement of Work, special terms, insurance and bonding requirements, and other project‑specific provisions, will be reviewed with the apparent successful proposer during the negotiation period before the contract is finalized. That will be the point when the awardee will have the opportunity to discuss any clarifications or concerns and work with DOGAMI and ensure everything is clearly understood before execution.

14 RFP p.6

Should costs for pad construction, access-road upgrades, water sourcing, frac/injection water, mud/cuttings disposal, tanks, liners, secondary containment, stormwater controls, surface damages, and reclamation be included in base pricing, handled as allowances, or excluded unless separately authorized?

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. Yes. Please include items such as pad construction, access road work, water sourcing, disposal, tanks, liners, containment, stormwater controls, surface restoration, and similar activities in your overall cost outline. We are looking for a clear picture of what each drilling scenario would realistically cost.

How these items are ultimately handled, whether as base pricing, allowances, or separately authorized costs, can be discussed with the selected contractor during the negotiation period. Final scope alignment and any related commercial details will be clarified before the contract is finalized.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

15 RFP p.9

Section 6 is titled "Performance Period" but appears to list minimum qualifications rather than contract duration. What is the expected contract period, anticipated notice-to-proceed date, permit-submission date, spud window, drilling-duration expectation, and final completion/P&A deadline?

Agency Response:

Regarding Section 6, the original label ‘Performance Period’ was an error and has been corrected.

This section is meant to describe the minimum qualifications and experience requirements for proposers, not the contract duration.

The project schedule, including notice to proceed, permitting, mobilization, spud timing, drilling duration, and final completion, will depend on factors such as funding, permitting, site access, regulatory coordination, and final contract negotiations.

A detailed schedule will be developed with the apparent successful proposer during the negotiation period before the contract is finalized. This will allow us to align expectations, confirm milestones, and ensure the timeline is realistic for both parties. Lastly, you’ll find an overview video in OregonBuys (listed as “Proposal Video Link.pdf”) that walks through the RFP timeline and can help with proposal planning.

16 RFP p.9-10

Will DOGAMI publish the detailed scoring matrix, including point values for experience, technical approach, safety, schedule, risk management, depth-case pricing, and cost normalization?

Agency Response: Yes: The scoring matrix is now available within the OregonBuys RFP listing for transparency. Thank you for this request.

17 Commercial

Which party is responsible for initial permitting fees, annual permitting fees, agency filing fees, well-registration fees, permit renewals, and any regulatory reporting fees?

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. Any permitting or regulatory fees that DOGAMI is required to obtain as the project owner or regulatory authority will be handled and coordinated by DOGAMI. During negotiations, discussions regarding permitting will be reviewed so the awardee will have a clear understanding of roles and costs before the contract is finalized.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

18 RFP p.2

Please provide the exact parcel boundary, final permitted location or location-selection process, surveyed plat, access route, surface-owner requirements, environmental constraints, utility clearances, cultural-resource restrictions, geotechnical pad data, and confirmation of whether DOGAMI or the contractor is responsible for final survey and staking of the wellhead and drilling location.

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. We’ve posted an overview video in OregonBuys to help with proposal planning. The video includes background information on regional geology and the general area of interest for the project.

More detailed site information, including geotechnical pad data and the final survey and staking of the wellhead, will be coordinated directly with the selected contractor.

The documents included in the solicitation represent our current terms and conditions for proposal preparation. To maintain fairness, we cannot negotiate or release project specific contract provisions before award. Any necessary clarifications, adjustments, or site-specific details will be discussed with the apparent successful proposer during the negotiation period before the contract is finalized.

19 Technical

Please confirm whether the proposed well location is on farmed or tillable land. If so, will the project be subject to seasonal access delays, crop restrictions, crop-damage claims, tillage constraints, irrigation infrastructure conflicts, or landowner-imposed access limitations?

Agency Response: Thank you for the question. The proposed well location is within an agricultural area, and we do not anticipate seasonal access delays, crop restrictions, or tillage‑related constraints affecting drilling operations.

DOGAMI and the Department of State Lands have already engaged with the affected landowners and will continue active outreach throughout the project. This includes coordinating around any landowner requirements and ensuring access is consistent with the terms of the project.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

20 RFP p.2

What are the expected stratigraphic tops, overburden thickness, aquifer intervals, pore-pressure regime, temperature gradient, lost-circulation zones, fracture intervals, base-basalt depth uncertainty, and offset-well data for each depth scenario? Will DOGAMI provide the geologic model used to support the CRBG depth estimate?

Agency Response: Thanks for your thoughtful questions. To help orient prospective proposers, DOGAMI has shared a recorded overview within OregonBuys that walks through the RFP and provides background on the regional geology for the project area. We encourage you to review the video, as it highlights the key geologic context relevant to your inquiry.

You’ll also find within the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” available in OregonBuys offers additional background reference information. These resources are intended to support understanding of the subsurface and aid in proposal development.

21 Technical

Does DOGAMI have a preferred drilling method-reverse circulation, conventional mud rotary, air/mist/foam, flooded reverse circulation, dual-wall reverse circulation, coring, or hybrid-or should proposers recommend the optimal method based on borehole stability, sample quality, logging objectives, environmental constraints, and groundwater protection?

Agency Response: We appreciate you thinking ahead about the most appropriate drilling approach.

You’ll also find within the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” available in OregonBuys offers additional background reference information. These resources are intended to support understanding of the subsurface and aid in proposal development.

The RFP gives proposers the flexibility to recommend the drilling method they feel is most appropriate for the expected conditions, including borehole stability, sample quality, logging needs, environmental considerations, and groundwater protection. As you prepare your approach, please keep in mind that drilling will primarily encounter basalts with several flow zones, and artesian-like conditions are likely.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

22 RFP p.2

Are laboratory analyses of cuttings, core, and fluid samples to be included in the drilling contractor's base price, priced as allowances/alternates, or contracted directly by DOGAMI?

Agency Response:

Thank you for your question. Each contractor should plan to collect cuttings, core, or fluid samples, and it is recommended to price the laboratory analysis of said samples as allowances/alternates.

23 RFP p.3; RFP p.5;

RFP p.7

For wireline evaluation, please specify the minimum required logging suite, vertical resolution, tool diameters, borehole-fluid requirements, maximum temperature/pressure, logging speed, centralization, repeat-section requirements, calibration standards, open-hole image-log requirements, and acceptable data formats beyond LAS and PDF.

Agency Response:

Proposers are responsible for determining and recommending the appropriate wireline evaluation program based on their expertise and understanding of the project objectives.

In addition to LAS and PDF files, DOGAMI will accept standard tabular data formats, such as CSV or Excel files, for any supporting datasets or parameter outputs. Proposers may also include other widely used, non‑proprietary formats if relevant to the proposed wireline evaluation program.

DOGAMI has published a video within OregonBuys that provides a high-level overview of the RFP and provides background information on the regional geology of the area of interest. Please refer to the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” document to review the video and find journal articles within the .pdf that will aid with proposal planning.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

24 RFP p.4; RFP p.6

Please provide DOGAMI's minimum required casing scheme, surface-casing setting-depth criteria, aquifer isolation requirements, protected aquifer intervals, minimum production/longstring diameter, cement top requirements, pressure-test requirements, material-grade requirements, and whether full-depth casing is required for each TD scenario.

Agency Response:

Thank you for the question. For details on casing requirements, setting depths, aquifer protection, and other well‑construction standards, please refer to the Oregon Administrative Rules. The most relevant sections include:

• OAR Chapter 690 Division 210, Well Construction Standards

• DOGAMI (DGMI) Chapter 632 Division 15, Information and Seismic Test Holes

• OAR Division 240, Construction, Maintenance, Alteration, Conversion, and Abandonment of Monitoring Wells, Geotechnical Holes, and Other Holes in Oregon

These rules provide guidance on casing, sealing in consolidated formations, cementing, well completion, pump testing, and other construction requirements.

25 RFP p.6

Is CO2-resistant cement mandatory for all casing strings, plugs, and remedial cement jobs, or only optional pricing for future Class VI compatibility? What cement specifications, additives, placement standards, and verification logs are required?

Agency Response: CO2‑resistant cement is not required for all casing strings, plugs, or remedial cement work. We ask that proposers include CO2‑resistant materials only as part of the optional pricing for potential future Class VI compatibility.

If you are looking for more details on requirements related to Class VI wells, the EPA’s Class VI guidance documents are the best source. Those resources outline the specifications, testing expectations, and other considerations associated with Class VI compliance.

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_210 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2887 https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_240 https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_240 https://www.epa.gov/uic/final-class-vi-guidance-documents

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

26 RFP p.4

For Contingency A, what specific trigger defines encountering a potable freshwater zone beneath the Umatilla Aquifer - field conductivity, lab TDS, flow rate, lithology, DOGAMI direction, or OWRD determination?

Agency Response:

For Contingency A, an OWRD determination, laboratory total dissolved solids (TDS) result is the primary factor that could indicate the presence of a potable freshwater zone beneath the Umatilla Aquifer.

27 RFP p.4

For Contingency B, what level of Class VI monitoring-well compliance is expected at proposal stage -conceptual compatibility only, or specific materials, corrosion allowance, packer/annulus design, pressure ports, telemetry, and long-term sampling system details?

Agency Response:

For Contingency B, DOGAMI is looking for enough detail to understand how your team would approach potential Class VI monitoring‑well requirements and what the associated costs might look like. We are not requiring full Class VI design specifications at the proposal stage. However, it is helpful for proposers to describe the level of compatibility they can achieve and any design considerations they believe are important.

You are welcome to outline conceptual approaches, expected materials, corrosion‑resistant options, packer or annulus considerations, pressure‑monitoring concepts, or long‑term sampling features if it helps clarify cost estimates. The more detail you can provide about your assumptions, the easier it will be for DOGAMI to understand operational and long‑term implications.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

28 RFP p.5

Which permits and approvals will DOGAMI obtain versus the contractor, including DOGAMI drilling authorization, OWRD water-well requirements, DSL land-use approvals, stormwater/SWPPP, spill prevention, waste disposal, road/access, county permits, and any UIC-related approvals?

Agency Response:

DOGAMI will be responsible for submitting the primary drilling authorization and has already obtained the required land‑use approval from the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL). DSL and our partnering communications team are also working through road and site‑access needs, and we expect those items to be resolved before drilling begins.

Contractors should plan to handle any operational plans that relate directly to their field activities.

This includes items such as spill‑prevention planning, stormwater/SWPPP considerations, waste‑handling and disposal practices, and any other construction‑related compliance measures required for safe site operations. These should be considered and budgeted for in your proposal.

29 RFP p.6

Is plugging and abandonment included in the base scope, optional, or contingent? Please provide required plug depths, cement types, verification, regulatory approvals, site restoration standards, and whether CO2-resistant cement is mandatory for P&A.

Agency Response: Plugging and abandonment is not included in the base scope and is considered optional. Proposers are encouraged to include optional scope items and recommendations that may have been overlooked so DOGAMI can better understand potential approaches and associated costs.

CO2‑resistant cement is not required for all casing strings, plugs, or remedial cement jobs. We ask that CO2‑resistant materials be included only as part of the optional pricing for potential future Class VI compatibility. For additional guidance on Class VI considerations, please refer to the EPA’s Class VI resources on their website.

Questions and Responses – DOGAMI RFP 2026-0401: Addendum 01 05/12/2026

Question Subject Offeror Question & Agency Response

30 Technical

Is there a Casing Size/Weight as well as a Tubing Size/Weight available?

Agency Response:

For details on casing requirements, setting depths, aquifer protection, and other well‑construction standards, please refer to the Oregon Administrative Rules.

The most relevant sections include:

• OAR Chapter 690 Division 210, Well Construction Standards

• DOGAMI (DGMI) Chapter 632 Division 15, Information and Seismic Test Holes

• OAR Division 240, Construction, Maintenance, Alteration, Conversion, and Abandonment of Monitoring Wells, Geotechnical Holes, and Other Holes in Oregon

These rules provide guidance on casing, sealing in consolidated formations, cementing, well completion, pump testing, and other construction requirements. DOGAMI has provided journal article links within the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” and includes information about the Wallula CO2 test well. The Wallula articles (McGrail et al.) detail wellbore schematics along with downhole conditions.

31 Technical

Can the estimated Pressures/Temperatures at the depths of 3,000', 5,000' & 8,200' be provided?

Agency Response:

DOGAMI has published a video within OregonBuys that provides a high-level overview of the RFP and provides background information on the regional geology of the area of interest. Please refer to the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” document to review the video and find journal articles that aid with proposal planning.

DOGAMI has provided journal article links within the “Proposal Video Link.pdf” and includes information about the Wallula CO2 test well. The Wallula articles (McGrail et al.) referred in the document detail wellbore schematics along with downhole conditions of a previous, nearby well.

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_210 https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/displayDivisionRules.action?selectedDivision=2887 https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_240 https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_chapter_690_division_240