Subsurface Air Rotary Drilling

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Abandoned Mine Reclamation, Cambria District Office is soliciting bids for subsurface air rotary drilling investigations across the Bituminous Coal Region. The contract requires a qualified contractor to drill and install approximately 25 mine pool monitoring wells over a two-year period, with borehole depths ranging from 50 to 300 feet (averaging 125 feet). Key deliverables include providing all labor, equipment, and materials to complete rotary boreholes, install casing, and finalize monitoring wells with specific technical requirements outlined in the contract specifications. Bidders must submit comprehensive proposals addressing drilling procedures, site restoration, and technical specifications by April 24, 2025, with the contract term running from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027. Contractors must bid on all items, as this is a no-sub bid opportunity, and must be prepared to complete each assigned well within five working days of notification. Davis-Bacon Wages apply to this project, and bidders must demonstrate capability to manage complex drilling environments, including fractured bedrock, underground mining voids, and potential pressurized groundwater conditions.

The contract is specifically funded through federal infrastructure legislation, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, which introduces specific compliance requirements such as the Build America, Buy America Act. Contractors must provide extensive insurance coverage, including workers' compensation, comprehensive general liability, and automotive liability insurance with specified minimum coverage amounts. The project does not explicitly mention set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises, but requires strict adherence to federal funding accountability standards. Payment will be made on a unit price and reimbursement basis, with invoices submitted within 30 days of service completion and mobilization costs split between 40% initial and 60% upon demobilization. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, the comprehensive nature of the project suggests a significant investment in mine pool monitoring infrastructure across the Cambria County region. The Department will provide certain materials like steel well guards and caps, and the contractor must follow precise technical specifications for drilling, grouting, sealing, and documentation.