IFB 10213235 - Deep Soil Drilling Services

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued Invitation for Bid (IFB) #10213235 for comprehensive deep soil drilling services along the California Aqueduct in Kern County. The procurement seeks a contractor to perform geological exploration drilling and monitoring well installation, specifically involving reverse circulation/flooded reverse drilling operations to depths up to 3,000 feet at two designated locations (MP264.5R and MP271.2L). The project scope encompasses drilling eight monitoring wells (four clustered wells per site), conducting geophysical surveys, installing stainless steel casing and screen materials, developing wells, and appropriately disposing of drilling cuttings and fluids. Bidders must hold a valid C-57 Well Drilling License and possess Department of Industrial Relations registration, with specific crew requirements including a driller with eight years of experience, two driller's helpers with at least six months of experience, and a certified mud engineer. Technical questions are due by November 24, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., with answers provided by December 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. Sealed bids are required by December 15, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., with a public bid opening scheduled for December 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. via Microsoft Teams.

The contract includes mandatory Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) program participation with incentive percentages ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 percent based on participation levels, along with Small Business and Non-Small Business preferences under specific conditions. Bidders must submit a bidder's bond equal to 10 percent of the bid amount and, if awarded, provide payment and performance bonds at 100 percent of the contract value. The anticipated contract term is three years, with an expected start date in February 2026. The bid sheet incorporates pricing for various services including lump sum, per-foot, daily, hourly, and monthly rates covering mobilization/demobilization, drilling, well construction, well development, equipment rental, and miscellaneous services. Payment terms include remittance within 45 days of invoice receipt, with a 10 percent retention held until 30 days after satisfactory completion of each work order. All drilling crew members must complete training in defensive driving, first aid/CPR, sexual harassment prevention, and HAZWOPER within three years prior to contract execution.