RFP-131-26 kastow - orphan well package - crithop #001

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet, Division of Oil and Gas, is soliciting proposals for the Kentucky Abandoned Storage Tank and Orphan Well Reclamation Program (KASTOW) through RFP-131-26, specifically targeting the CritHop #001 package. The procurement seeks a contractor to remediate and plug eight orphan well sites located in Crittenden and Hopkins Counties, with specific well permit numbers identified in the solicitation. Bidders must submit firm-fixed cost proposals for each individual site, with the Division retaining discretionary authority to delete sites and adjust the total contract price. Proposal evaluation will be conducted on a 70-point scale, with 25 points allocated to technical qualifications (including contractor experience, project history, equipment adequacy, work plan completeness, and past performance) and 45 points for cost. Key submission deadlines include November 25, 2025, for written questions, and December 19, 2025, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time for proposal submissions, with proposal evaluations beginning January 7, 2026, and anticipated contract award by January 14, 2026. The successful contractor must achieve substantial completion within 365 calendar days from the award date and final completion within one additional year.

The contract does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, though it does indicate reciprocal preferences for Kentucky resident bidders. The solicitation requires a 5% bid guarantee and mandates that the awarded contractor provide 100% performance and payment bonds within five calendar days of award. Contractors must also maintain a minimum of $1,000,000 in combined general liability insurance and comply with federal funding requirements, including Davis-Bacon wage standards and Buy America preferences for infrastructure projects. The contract includes provisions for potential additional compensation if TENORM-impacted metals exceeding background levels are discovered during remediation, with reimbursement of documented costs plus 10% administrative overhead. Payment will be processed within 30 working days of invoice receipt, with a 10% retainage held until 50% completion, then reduced to 5%. Liquidated damages of $200 per calendar day will be assessed for delays beyond the substantial and final completion dates. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the complexity of remediating eight orphan well sites suggests a significant potential contract value.