BGS Bedrock Coring Services

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Geological Survey is soliciting bids for bedrock coring and drilling services to support geologic mapping, groundwater resource investigations, and geotechnical investigations throughout Pennsylvania, with bids due October 20, 2026.

This is an Invitation for Bids with an initial one-year term (January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027) and option to renew for up to four additional one-year terms through December 31, 2031. The Commonwealth reserves the right to extend any single term for up to three months and may adjust renewal rates by up to 3 percent annually.

The contractor must be capable of mobilizing statewide and conducting rock coring to depths of at least 800 feet below ground surface in off-road and remote conditions, collecting NQ, HQ, and PQ diameter core samples. Core recovery must achieve a minimum of 90 percent throughout the entire cored geologic profile; failure to meet this standard absent abnormal geological conditions triggers offset drilling at contractor expense. The Commonwealth will issue work orders specifying project locations, drilling requirements, and geological conditions, with work required to commence no later than 45 days after issuance. Subcontracting is prohibited.

Pricing is unit-rate based, covering mobilization/demobilization, intermediate mobilization, overburden drilling and casing, split spoon and shelby tube sampling, rock coring, borehole decommissioning, site restoration, and standby time. Unit prices must include all labor, supplies, insurance, tools, equipment, and miscellaneous expenses.

Award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. The Commonwealth may request contractor references attesting to similar work completed in the previous two years, including drilling with overburden work and rock coring to 800 feet depth.

Contractors must complete Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form BOP-2201, certifying compliance with Pennsylvania unemployment compensation, workers' compensation, and labor and workforce safety laws. The Small Business Reserve program is available; eligible small businesses self-certify and may qualify for a contract reserved exclusively for small or small diverse businesses. Bids must be submitted electronically through the PA Supplier Portal.