Bureau Of Geological Survey Sonic Drilling

Location:	Pennsylvania
Posted:	Oct 14, 2026
Due:	Oct 27, 2026
Agency:	State Government of Pennsylvania
Type of Government:	State & Local
Category:	99 - Miscellaneous F - Natural Resources and Conservation Services
Solicitation No:	6100066669
Publication URL:	To access bid details, please log in.

General Information

Department for this solicitation:

Procurement

Date Prepared:

10/14/26

Types:

IFB

Advertisement Type:

Service

Materials

Service & Materials

PW Construction

Agency Construction

Real Estate

Solicitation/Project#:

6100066669

Solicitation/Project Title:

Bureau of Geological Survey Sonic Drilling

Description:

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Geologic Survey (BGS), hereafter designated “the Department,” requires the services of a contractor to provide drilling services to extract intact sediment and bedrock core from the shallow subsurface to support geologic research conducted by the Bureau of Geological Survey.

Department Information
Department/Agency:	Department of Conservation and Natural Resources	Delivery Location:	Attn Chris Oest Dcnr Pa Geological Survey 3240 Schoolhouse Road Middletown Pa 17057
County:	Statewide	Duration:	Contract will commence on January 1, 2027 and will terminate December 31, 2027.

Contact Information
First Name:	Michelle	Last Name:	Pritts
Phone Number: (XXX-XXX-XXXX)	717-772-0299	Email:	mpritts@pa.gov

Solicitation Information
Bids must be received by the purchasing agency on the Solicitation Due Date no later than the Solicitation Due Time as set forth in the solicitation. Any conflict between the dates and/or times contained in the solicitation itself or its attachments and this advertisement shall be resolved in favor of the solicitation.
Solicitation Start Date:	10/14/26
Solicitation Due Date:	10/27/26	Solicitation Due Time:	10:00 AM
Solicitation Opening Date:	10/27/26	Solicitation Opening Time:	10:01 AM
Opening Location:
No. of Addendums:	0

Amended Date:	10/14/26

Related Solicitation Files

Original Files

	SOW Sonic Core Drilling and Shallow Diamond Core Drilling Final.pdf
	Terms and Conditions.pdf
	Worker Protection Form-BOP-2201_ (002).pdf
	DCNR Small Business Procurement Initiative.pdf

Attachment Preview

STATEMENT OF WORK

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Bureau of Geological Survey

Scientific Sediment Sonic Core Drilling and Diamond Core Drilling Services

I. SCOPE OF WORK:

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Geologic Survey (BGS),

hereafter designated “the Department,” requires the services of a contractor to provide drilling services to extract

intact sediment and bedrock core from the shallow subsurface to support geologic research conducted by the

Bureau of Geological Survey.

Any questions concerning the technical aspects of this statement of work should be directed to Aaron Bierly at

717-702-2034 or aabierly@pa.gov . Questions concerning the contracting or bidding procedures should be

directed to Michelle Pritts at mpritts@pa.gov or 717-772-0299.

Bidders should only complete and return the required documents listed in Section XII. BID AWARD in this

Statement of Work (SOW). Bidders should NOT attach any vendor quotes, Terms and Conditions, or documents

other than those requested in Section XII. Bid submissions may be negated if additional attachments are

submitted with the bid response. The Commonwealth's Terms and Conditions are the only terms accepted for

this procurement.

II. CONTRACT TASKS:

A. Department Responsibilities

Department will communicate project-specific tasks to Contractor via work orders issued by email. Work

orders will include the following details:

1. Location of the project site(s) (including a map)

2. Type of drilling required

3. Access limitations and site conditions

4. Location of anticipated borings and depths

5. Approximate depth of critical sampling intervals (if known)

6. Approximate thickness of overburden material

7. Known abnormal geological conditions - Abnormal geological conditions include, but are not

limited to, gravel zones, dense fractures, and/or presence of subsurface voids (mines or

solution features)

8. Location of local water sources (hydrants or natural water features)

Department will hold a pre-mobilization meeting to review the task scope with Contractor. A site

inspection will be made available to the Contractor prior to commencing work at the Contractor’s

request. Contractor may raise concerns regarding scope and/or site conditions during the pre-

mobilization meeting or during the site inspection.

The Department is responsible for securing all permissions required to access drill sites. While efforts will be

made to select drilling locations on Commonwealth-owned properties, if drilling is required on privately

owned properties, the Department will secure any permission or right-of-way agreements in writing and

provide copies of any agreements to the Contractor.

Department will provide core boxes and drilling oversight, including borehole logging.

B. Contractor Responsibilities

Contractor must meet the following qualification standards:

• Ability to mobilize throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

• Ability to conduct both sonic and traditional diamond coring to at least 200 feet below graded

surface (bgs)

• Ability to conduct dry-drilling techniques for sonic coring

• Ability to collect at least a 4 -inch, intact core in sediment

• Ability to collect at least NX, intact core in bedrock

• Ability to work in off-road and remote conditions

The awarded Contractor is solely responsible for performing all aspects of this Statement of Work.

Subcontracting any of the tasks or deliverables described in this Statement of Work is prohibited.

Additionally, pursuant to Executive Order 2021-06, Worker Protection and Investment (October 21,

2021), the Commonwealth is responsible for ensuring that every Pennsylvania worker has a safe and

healthy work environment and the protections afforded them through labor laws. To that end,

contractors and grantees of the Commonwealth must certify that they are in compliance with all

applicable Pennsylvania state labor and workforce safety laws. Such certification must be made

through the Worker Protection and Investment Certification Form (BOP-2201) and submitted with

the bid, proposal or quote. Failure to submit a completed Worker Protection and Investment

Certification Form may render your submission as non-responsive.

III. DELIVERABLES:

A. Pre-Mobilization

Contractor will acknowledge receipt of the work order via email. If desired, contractor may

request a site inspection once the work order is received. Additionally, Department and

Contractor will schedule a pre-work meeting at this time to review the scope of work and

address any concerns raised by Contractor. Work shall begin no later than 45 days following the

issuance of the work order.

It is Contractor’s responsibility to inspect drill site(s) before mobilization. The Contractor can reject a

site prior to mobilization if conditions are deemed unsuitable. If the Contractor rejects drill site(s) after

mobilization to that site, that mobilization/demobilization cannot be charged to the Department.

Contractor must address concerns related to site conditions and/or scope of work in writing to the

Department. If the Department and Contractor cannot come up with a reasonable solution to

Contractors concerns, the Contractor may reject that drill site.

Prior to mobilization, contractor is required to submit a PA 1 Call (811) ticket for the drilling

site(s). A copy of the submission and utility responses must be provided to Department before

commencing work.

B. Mobilization

Contractor shall mobilize all equipment, materials, and labor to the project area to complete the task

outlined in the work order. This includes, but is not limited to, a drill rig appropriate for the task and

terrain of the project area, all required drill tooling, extra consumable materials (core bits, water, fuel,

etc.), water handling and storage equipment, and sufficient personnel on site to complete the drilling task

effectively. Delays incurred due to understaffing by Contractor will not be eligible for stand by time billing.

A project “area” is defined as the general location in which drilling tasks will occur. Within project areas,

there may be multiple boreholes included in the scope of work; however, mobilization shall only be

charged for Contractor to arrive at and depart from the project area. The location of individual boreholes

are “drill sites.”

C. Drilling Task Execution

Unless otherwise stated in work orders, sonic coring will be continuous from surface to the target depth

identified in the work order. If bedrock is encountered, drilling shall transition from sonic coring to

traditional diamond core drilling at the direction of the Department.

Department reserves the right to terminate boreholes at shallower than anticipated depths if scientific

objectives are met prior to reaching target depths or if extenuating geological conditions will prevent

scientific objectives from being met. Department may request that the Contractor drill deeper than

anticipated to achieve scientific objectives. Contractor may deny requests to drill deeper if the depths

requested are beyond Contractor’s capability.

D. Sediment Coring

Since the boreholes advanced under this contract are of the upmost importance for Department research,

Department expects core recovery to be the top priority of Contractor. Contractor is expected to follow

best practices to ensure maximum core recovery. These practices include, but are not limited to,

monitoring down pressure and drill rig response, cleaning and maintaining coring equipment, replacing

worn tooling, and modifying drilling rates based on anticipated rock types communicated to Contractor by

Department. Department requires sonic core recovery to be as high as possible given the geologic

conditions and shall be no less than 80% through the entire sediment proﬁle (i.e. the average recovery for

an entire borehole within the sediment portion may be no less than 80%). If recovery is poor (<50%) in a

sand or gravel layer, the Department representative may request that the casing be retracted and a second

attempt to re-core the interval be performed. This will be done to obtain more sample prior to advancing

tooling beyond the interval of poor recovery. Re-coring will be at no additional cost to the Department.

Since scientiﬁc research of the sediment may require natural subsurface conditions, dry drilling techniques

(i.e. no added water or bentonite) will be expected unless directed by the Department elsewise. Dry

drilling is only expected for the sediment proﬁle (i.e. water and bentonite may be used in the bedrock

proﬁle).

E. Bedrock Coring

Since the boreholes advanced under this contract are of the upmost importance for Department research,

Department expects core recovery to be the top priority of Contractor. Contractor is expected to follow

best practices summarized in PennDOT Publication 222 to ensure maximum core recovery. These practices

include, but are not limited to, monitoring down pressure and drill rig response, including additives to

drilling ﬂuid, cleaning and maintaining coring equipment, replacing worn tooling, and modifying drilling

rates based on anticipated rock types communicated to Contractor by Department. Department requires

core recovery to be as high as possible given the geologic conditions and shall be no less than 90% through

the entire cored bedrock proﬁle (i.e. the average recovery for an entire borehole within the bedrock proﬁle

may be no less than 90%). Abnormal geologic conditions (as deﬁned in Section 3.1) that prevent optimal

recovery will not factor into assessment of poor recovery at the discretion of the onsite Department

representative. If recovery fails to meet expectations in the absence of abnormal geological conditions as

deﬁned in Section 3.1, Department reserves the right to require contractor to oﬀset from the boring

location and re-drill in order to recover sample. If boring oﬀset is required, drilling back to the depth at

which the previous boring was abandoned will be completed at the Contractor’s expense – re-drilling

oﬀset boreholes may not be billed as footage and are exempt from standby time.

Department expects Contractor to be able to conduct a minimum of NX diameter coring based on

Department objectives and subsurface conditions. Contract must have capability to core in bedrock at

depths of at least 200 feet below graded surface (bgs) .

F. Water Hauling

Contractor is responsible for hauling water to the site. If feasible, water may be withdrawn from a local

water source. Department will notify Contractor if local water sources can be expected in work orders.

Contractor is responsible for obtaining permission to extract water from local sources. Cost for handling

water while on site, transferring water from local sources to the drill site, and/or transferring water to the

drill site from the Contractor’s headquarters following mobilization will be incorporated with the

mobilization fee. It is the discretion of the Contractor to handle water logistics in the most eﬃcient way

possible.

G. Stand by Time

Delays in executing the scope of work incurred due to mechanical failure, lack of appropriate tooling or

supplies (including extra consumable items), or inability to maintain proper staffing of the drill crew will be

at Contractors’ expense. Department may elect to collect data from the borehole while drilling, including,

but not limited to, collecting water samples. In these cases, idle time of the drilling crew will be at

Department expense and Contractor will bill Department for standby time for these activities. The onsite

Department representative will log all instances of downtime in field notebooks.

H. Intermediate Mobilization and Remobilization

Drilling tasks may include advancing boreholes at multiple locations. Contractor is expected to remobilize

all equipment, materials, and labor to subsequent sites in order to complete the task outlined in the work

order.

I. Demobilization and Borehole Decommissioning

Upon completion of drilling, contractor is responsible for removing all equipment and supplies from the

drill site(s) and restoring drill site(s), access roads/trails, water access locations, or any other area impacted

by drilling activities to its pre-work state. Department may elect to collect water samples, conduct

geophysical logging, or other analysis upon completion of the borehole requiring Contractor to move the

drill rig from the borehole for extended periods of time. In these instances, Contractor shall remobilize

upon completion of these activities to properly decommission the borehole following methods

summarized in PennDOT Publication 222.

The Contractor is required to properly decommission the borehole(s) following best practices deﬁned in

PennDOT Publication 222.

IV. DELIVERABLES DEFINITIONS

Primary Mobilization/Demobilization – flat rate cost per project for mobilization and demobilization. Cost to

move the drill rig and all associated supplies, tools, and personnel from the Contractors’ headquarters to and

from the project area. This cost also includes all associated supplies, tools, and personnel required to prepare

the drill site for work (staging equipment, construction of pits, trenches, diversion ways, etc.) for erosion and

sediment control associated with the drilling activities. Mobilization/demobilization may be charged for the

first arrival and departure from the project area and for subsequent mobilizations, if required, for borehole

decommissioning. While the Department will make a good faith effort to select sites that are accessible,

Contractor is responsible for inspecting drill site(s) before mobilization. If the Contractor rejects drill site(s)

after mobilization to that site, that mobilization/demobilization cannot be charged to the Department.

Intermediate Mobilization/Demobilization- cost per hour associated with moving the drill rig and all

associated supplies, tools, and personnel between drill sites when multiple sites are included in the scope

of work.

Sonic PQ core drilling -cost per linear foot to drill a core using sonic drilling techniques. The core

diameter must be no less than PQ in size. At the driller’s discretion, larger borehole diameters up to 6-

inch core are acceptable, however drilling cost per linear foot shall remain independent of borehole

diameter. Sonic drilling will occur in both sediment and bedrock.

Diamond NX core drilling - cost per linear foot to drill a core using traditional diamond core techniques.

The core diameter must be no less than NX size. At the driller’s discretion, larger borehole diameters up

to 6-inch core are acceptable, however drilling cost per linear foot shall remain independent of borehole

diameter. Diamond core drilling will occur for bedrock only.

Grouting - the cost per linear foot to properly decommission and seal the borehole after drilling.

Contractor will properly cement and abandon the borehole per PennDOT Publication 222 (3-25).

Site restoration - hourly cost of supplies and personnel to return the drill site(s), water withdrawal site(s),

and the area traveled to and from these sites back to their pre-drilling condition. Site restoration includes

all activities required to return the drilling site to pre-drilling conditions. This includes, but is not limited

to, ﬁlling in or leveling ruts, pits, or drainage channels, site grading, and seeding and strawing. If the drill

site is located in a paved location, appropriate patching must be performed. Asphalt may be patched with

cold patch if the borehole diameter is 12 inches or less. Cold patch repairs must be compacted to prevent

settling. Any observed settling will be the responsibility of Contractor to repair at no additional cost to the

Department. Concrete repairs may be made with appropriate premixed, bagged products so long as

hydration rates speciﬁed by the manufacturer are followed.

This is the opportunity summary page. It provides an overview of this opportunity and a preview of the attached documentation.

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Bureau Of Geological Survey Sonic Drilling

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