JH26-23 Orphan Well Subsurface Plugging

The State of Utah Division of Purchasing and Division of Oil, Gas and Mining is conducting a Request for Statements of Qualifications (RFSQ) for professional services related to orphan well subsurface plugging under solicitation JH26-23. The procurement seeks to identify and contract with a qualified vendor to plug and abandon approximately 68 oil and gas wells across Utah counties between 2026 and 2030, with work expected to occur 6-8 months annually. The project will be funded through a $5 million federal grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, with the primary objectives including removing wellheads, setting cement plugs, and cutting wellheads below surface grade. Evaluation will be conducted using a comprehensive 1,000-point scoring system that assesses vendor capabilities across 16 technical criteria, including crew competency, equipment capabilities, maintenance processes, safety protocols, and relevant experience. The procurement follows Utah Procurement Code 63G-6a Part 15 for Design Professional Service Providers and Consultants, with the highest-ranked vendor selected to negotiate contract terms. Proposals are due by November 24, 2025, and vendors are explicitly instructed not to include pricing in their initial qualifications.

The solicitation does not specify explicit set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. The contract is open to companies capable of performing subsurface abandonment work, with the state anticipating potential additional state funding to expand the project scope beyond the initial $5 million federal grant. Contractors will be required to use USA-manufactured equipment, maintain rigorous safety protocols, and provide detailed daily reporting, with an emphasis on prioritizing high-risk wells near communities. The contract is estimated to have a 5-year duration, with the state reserving the right to negotiate with the next highest-ranked vendor if fair and reasonable terms cannot be established with the initial selection. While no incumbent vendors are mentioned, the project allows companies to respond to both the subsurface plugging contract and a separate surface restoration and decommissioning contract if they are appropriately positioned. The geographic scope covers wells distributed across Utah, from the Arizona border to the Idaho border, with annual work schedules planned based on weather and location considerations.