Contractor to Assist the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board with the Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation of Orphaned Wells

INVITATION FOR BIDS
IFB RFx No.: 3160008150
Contractor to Assist the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board with the
Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation of Orphaned Wells
Issue Date: July 15, 2026
CLOSING TIME AND DATE
Bids must be received by:
4:00 P.M. CST, August 24, 2026
CLOSING LOCATION
Mississippi Oil and Gas Board
500 Greymont Avenue, Suite E
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
BID COORDINATOR
Missy Zebert
Mississippi Oil and Gas Board
Telephone: (601) 576-4919
E-mail: mzebert@ogb.state.ms.us

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
Section 1 - Background, Authority, and Purpose
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (the "IIJA") was signed into law on November
15, 2021. The IIJA provides funding to establish state grant programs the goal of which is to
address the plugging, remediation, and reclamation of orphaned oil and gas wells located
throughout this United States. Pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C. 15907(c), three types of orphaned
well grant programs are authorized, to include Formula grants (See 42 U.S.C. 15907(c)(4). In
partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Orphaned Wells Program
Office (OWPO), the Mississippi Oil and Gas Board (MSOGB) endeavors to ensure the effective,
accountable and efficient implementation of the Formula grant program.
Pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. 53-1-17, the MSOGB has jurisdiction and authority over all
persons and property necessary to enforce effectively the provisions of this chapter and all other
laws relating to the conservation of oil and gas. Part of the MSOGB's authority with respect to
the conservation laws of the State of Mississippi extends to ensuring the proper plugging,
remediation, and reclamation of orphaned oil and gas wells. An orphaned well is any oil or gas
well, including Class II wells, that has not been properly plugged according to the requirements
of the statutes, rules and regulations governing same and for which a responsible party such as
an owner or operator cannot be located or for which, for whatever reason, there is no other party
that can be forced to plug the well. The MSOGB is provided with the authority to require that the
plugging of wells be done in such a manner as to prevent the escape of oil or gas out of one
stratum to another, and to prevent the intrusion of water into an oil or gas stratum from a
separate stratum. The MSOGB is tasked with preventing the pollution of freshwater supplies by
oil, gas, or saltwater and is further provided with the authority to prevent Waste as so defined
(See Miss. Code Ann. 53-1-3(l).
The MSOGB has been awarded a Formula grant the funds of which will be used to plug,
remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells located within the State of Mississippi. The MSOGB is
seeking to retain a contractor (the "Contractor") who will plug, remediate, and reclaim these
orphaned wells. The orphaned wells pertinent to this Invitation for Bid (the "IFB") are detailed
on Exhibit "A" attached hereto. Details pertaining to the proposed Scope of Work pertinent to
this IFB are included below and Specifications for Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation of
Orphaned Wells are attached hereto as Exhibit "B". The Contractor should have a knowledge and
familiarity with the IIJA and the Orphan Well Program established thereunder, in addition to the
Statewide Rules and Regulations of the MSOGB. A qualified Contractor should possess expertise
in providing the required services contemplated by this IFB. Said Contractor must be able to work
alongside the MSOGB and its other contractors. Furthermore, the Contractor should be qualified
to do business in the State of Mississippi.
Page 2

A Bid Cover Sheet (Attachment "A") and Bid Form (Attachment "B") are also enclosed. All
bids should be accompanied by the proposed plugging, remediation, and reclamation
procedures for each orphaned well. MSOGB records may or may not reflect the present
condition of the wells. Although every effort was made to include a copy of all useful well data,
a copy of the well file for each well can be obtained at the MSOGB office in Jackson, Mississippi
upon request at the normal fee for reproduction. Reference to IFB RFx No. 3160008150 will help
expedite any such request.
A Contractor who desires to submit a bid proposal to MSOGB is required to attend the
Pre-Bid Project Site Inspection (See Section 2 - Timeline below). This Inspection presents a
prospective contractor with the opportunity to fully ascertain and properly characterize the work
to be completed on each well site described on Exhibit "A" attached hereto. Contractors are
expected to be aware of and fully understand the full scope of work to be performed on each
well site, notwithstanding unknown and unforeseen downhole well issues that may arise from
time to time which are unknown or unforeseen to both the MSOGB and the Contractor. If
circumstances prohibit Contractor from attending the Pre-Bid Project Site Inspection on the dates
set out in Section 2 - Timeline below, said Contractor should contact Morris Welch, MSOGB Field
Director, at (601) 576-4925 or via email at mwelch@ogb.state.ms.us to schedule an alternative
date. Bid proposals will not be accepted from a Contractor who does not participate in the Pre-
Bid Project Site Inspection.
Section 2 - Timeline
IFB Issue Date July 15, 2026
Pre-Bid Project Site Inspection July 30 and July 31, 2026
Questions Pertaining to IFB and Project Site August 7, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CDT
Visit, and Requests for Clarification Due
Anticipated Posting of Answers to Questions August 14, 2026
Bid Package Submission Deadline August 24, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. CDT
Anticipated Date of the Notice of Intent to September 1, 2026
Award
Section 3 - Contact and Questions/Requests for Clarification
3.1 Bidders must carefully review this solicitation, all exhibits, and all attachments for defects,
questionable, or objectionable material. Following review, bidders may have questions to
clarify or interpret the IFB in order to submit the best bid possible. Pursuant to PPRB OPSCR
Rules and Regulations Section 5.2.4, any potential bidder has an opportunity to request that
the procuring agency reconsider the terms of the solicitation. Any such request shall be filed
with the agency official primarily responsible for the procurement and the Director of OPSCR
within three (3) business days following the date of public notice as defined in Section 5.2.1.
Page 3

To accommodate the questions and requests for clarifications, bidders shall submit any such
question via email by the deadline reflected in Section 2. All questions and requests for
clarifications must be directed by email to:
Missy Zebert, MSOGB
Telephone: (601) 576-4919
E-mail: mzebert@ogb.state.ms.us
3.2 Bidders should enter "IFB RFx No. 3160008150 - Questions" as the subject for the email.
Question submittals should include a reference to the applicable IFB section and be
submitted in the format shown below:
IFB Section, Page Number Bidder Question/Request for Clarification
1.
3.3 Official responses will be provided only for questions submitted as described above and only
to clarify information already included in the IFB. The identity of the organization submitting
the question(s) will not be revealed. All questions and answers will be published on the
Mississippi Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal website and the MSOGB's
website as an amendment to the IFB by the date and time reflected in Section 2.
3.4 The MSOGB will not be bound by any verbal or written information that is not contained
within this IFB unless formally noticed and issued by the MSOGB as an IFB amendment.
Bidders are cautioned that any statements made by agency personnel that materially change
any portion of the bid document shall not be relied upon unless subsequently ratified by a
formal written amendment to the bid document.
3.5 All bidder communications regarding this IFB must be directed to the designated MSOGB
representative or his/her designee. Unauthorized contact regarding the IFB with other
employees of the MSOGB may result in the bidder being disqualified, and the bidder may also
be suspended or disbarred from the state.
3.6 Information needed pertaining to this IFB or the Scope of Work provided below should be
directed to Morris Welch, Compliance Inspector Team Lead, at (601) 576-4925 (office) or
(601) 543-5176 (cell), or via email at mwelch@ogb.state.ms.us.
3.7 Acknowledgement of Amendments: Should an amendment to the IFB be issued, it will be
posted on the Mississippi Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal website and the
MSOGB's website in a manner that all bidders will be able to view. Further, bidders must
acknowledge receipt of any amendment to the solicitation by signing and returning the
amendment with the bid package, by identifying the amendment number and date in the
space provided for this purpose on the bid form, or by letter. The acknowledgment should be
Page 4

received by the agency by the time, date, and at the place specified for receipt of bids. It is
the bidder's sole responsibility to monitor the websites for any updates or amendments to
the IFB.
3.8 Bidder must provide a signed Acknowledgements of IFB Amendment(s), Questions, and
Answer document(s), and/or Summary of Pre-Bid Project Site Inspection, if any were
issued/posted on the Mississippi Contract/Procurement Opportunity Search Portal website
and the MSOGB's website.
3.9 This IFB is comprised of the base IFB document, any exhibits, any attachments, any
amendments issued prior to the submission deadline, and any other documents released
before contract award.
Section 4 - Scope of Work (See also Exhibit "B" attached hereto)
4.1 In addition to those specifications set out on Exhibit "B" attached hereto, Contractor shall
provide services, and otherwise do all things necessary for or incidental to the performance of
the Scope of Work (the "Work"), as set forth below:
4.1.1 Plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned oil or gas wells located within the State of
Mississippi in accordance with the rules and regulations of the MSOGB and the IIJA's
Orphan Well Program, in addition to the Specifications for Plugging, Remediation, and
Reclamation of Orphaned Wells attached hereto as Exhibit "B".
4.1.2 Contractor will furnish all labor, equipment, materials, transportation,
communication, scaffolding, hoisting, supervision, coordination, permits, sales taxes,
shop drawings, and samples necessary to timely complete in a workmanlike manner
the Work.
4.1.3 Contractor shall furnish a weekly progress report via email which summarizes
activities completed for the week and activities planned for the next week. The weekly
progress report shall be provided by 4:00 p.m. on Monday afternoon along with the
updated schedule planned for the following week.
4.1.4 Contractor will coordinate with other MSOGB contractors as specified by the MSOGB
to ensure proper sequencing of the Work.
4.1.5 Contractor will assess and report to MSOGB any environmental hazards and/or
contamination within twenty-four (24) hours of identification of same.
4.1.6 Contractor will support and assist the MSOGB in the fulfillment of any and all Federal
requirements, including but not limited to reporting, documenting, outreach, DBE
participation and/or accounting needs.
Page 5

4.2 The Contractor acknowledges the following:
4.2.1 All Work completed pursuant to this IFB must be completed in accordance with the
Orphan Well Program and the rules and regulations of the MSOGB. It is the
Contractor's responsibility to be familiar with the terms and provisions of the
Orphan Well Program, to include the "Davis Bacon Act", and all other parts and
subparts and other related laws and acts pertinent thereto.
4.2.2 All work performed pursuant to this IFB is subject to the Build America, Buy America
Act promulgated under Section 70912 of the IIJA which requires that all iron, steel,
manufactured products, and construction materials used by the MSOGB, its sub-
recipients or contractors, are produced in the United States. If Contractor is unable to
abide by this provision, Contractor should immediately inform MSOGB and if possible,
MSOGB may seek to obtain a waiver from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
4.2.3 Assign a Contractor Account Representative to work directly with the MSOGB.
4.2.4 All state facilities are non-smoking; the Contractor and its personnel must adhere to
this requirement. The use of tobacco products on or within state property or facilities
is prohibited.
4.2.5 It is illegal to have in one's possession any illegal drug or alcoholic beverage while on
state property.
4.2.6 Contractors are required to sign-in and sign-out at most state facilities. Security
provisions for all state facilities must be strictly observed.
4.2.7 Exercise precautions at all times for the protection of persons (including employees)
and property. The Contractor shall make such investigations to enable them to fully
understand the facilities, difficulties, and restrictions attending the execution of the
work on-site. The project shall at all times be properly supervised and adequately
manned by an experienced crew of appropriate size. All work shall be accomplished
by skilled workers familiar with and trained to do this type of work. Workers shall be
qualified to operate and/or use the equipment necessary to accomplish this work. The
Contractor shall be responsible for the supervision and direction of the work
performed by its personnel. The Contractor shall be responsible for instructing its
personnel in all safety measures. All equipment used by the Contractor shall be
maintained in safe operating condition at all times, and be free from defects or wear
that may in any way constitute a hazard to any person or persons on state property.
All incidents involving state property or personnel shall be reported to the designated
MSOGB contact immediately upon occurrence.
Page 6

4.2.8 Abide by all state and/or MSOGB policies, procedures, ordinances, and/or laws
pertaining to the MSOGB's operation at all times, including but not limited to the
items listed above. Deviations from these policies by the Contractor or its personnel
will not be tolerated and will be considered grounds for contract termination.
Perform the Work in accordance with customary and reasonable industry standards
as well as in strict conformance to all laws, statutes, and ordinances and the applicable
rules, regulations, methods, and procedures of all government boards, bureaus,
offices, and other agents. The Contractor shall be responsible for the complete
performance of all work; for the methods, means, and equipment used; and for
furnishing all materials, tools, apparatus, and property of every description used in
connection therewith. No statement within this IFB shall negate compliance with any
applicable governing regulation. The absence of detail specifications or the omission
of detail description shall be recognized as meaning that only the best commercial
practices are to prevail and that only first quality materials and workmanship are to
be used.
4.2.9 As the contractor assigned to the project, Contractor shall perform all services
contemplated by this Contract in accordance with customary and reasonable industry
standards applicable to other contractor's of like experience. The Contractor shall be
responsible for plugging, remediation and reclamation; for the methods, means, and
equipment used; and for furnishing all materials, tools, apparatus, and property of
every description used in connection therewith. No statement within this IFB shall
negate compliance with any applicable governing regulation. The absence of detail
specifications or the omission of detail description shall be recognized as meaning that
only expert practices are to prevail and that only first quality materials and
workmanship are to be used.
4.2.10 Provide any and all reporting, data collection, accounting, audit, and/or
documentation in a form and format acceptable to MSOGB which MSOGB shall
require in the furtherance of the project and/or in compliance with any and all state
and/or federal requirements.
4.3 Contractors shall also:
4.3.1 Administer and maintain all employment and certified payroll records, payroll
processing, and payment of payroll checks and taxes, including the deductions
required by state, federal, and local laws such as social security and withholding taxes
for their business and employees;
4.3.2 Make all unemployment compensation contributions as required by federal and state
law(s) and process claims as required for their business and employees;
Page 7

4.3.3 Perform a background check and/or drug screening prior to placement if requested
by the MSOGB and verify and/or provide the results; and,
4.3.4 Replace immediately, at no additional expense to the MSOGB, any employee not
performing satisfactorily.
Section 5 - Basis for Award
5.1 Contractor must provide a bid proposal for each well listed on Exhibit "A". All bids will be
reviewed first to determine whether a bidder is responsive, responsible, and/or acceptable.
Requirements are not assigned a point percentage and/or score, but are instead simply
recorded as PASS or FAIL. Bids with errors that do not alter the substance of the bid can be
accepted, and the MSOGB's designated representative may allow the bidder to correct the
problem prior to review as long as the irregularities are insignificant mistakes that can be
waived or corrected without prejudice to other bidders. The MSOGB reserves the right to
reject any and all bids, and to waive any informality.
5.2 The MSOGB has the right to waive minor defects or variations of a bid proposal from the
exact requirements of the specifications that do not affect the price, quality, quantity,
delivery, or performance of the services being procured and if doing so does not create an
unfair advantage for any bidder. If insufficient information is submitted by a bidder for the
MSOGB to properly evaluate the offer, the MSOGB has the right to require such additional
information as it may deem necessary after the submission deadline, provided that the
information requested does not change the price, quality, quantity, delivery, or performance
time of the services being procured and such a request does not create an unfair advantage
for any bidder.
5.3 All bids which are determined to be responsive, responsible, and/or acceptable will continue
on to the price bid or cost evaluation. The lowest cost bid will receive the maximum 100
points allocated to cost. The point allocations for cost on the other bids will be evaluated
according to the following formula: price of the lowest responsive and responsible bid divided
by the price of the responsive and responsible bid being rated times the maximum 100 points
allocated for cost equal the awarded points.
5.4 The MSOGB intends to award one (1) contract to provide the services described in this IFB.
An example of a contract to be awarded pursuant to this IFB is attached hereto as Attachment
F.
5.5 The MSOGB shall determine the best acceptable bid based on the lowest cost evaluation,
best value, qualifications, proposed procedures, maximum capacity, and/or past experience
of the Contractor.
Section 6 - Minimum Bidder Qualifications
Page 8

6.1 Prior Experience: Contractor must be qualified to do business in the State of Mississippi. Prior
experience working with a state agency is preferred. Contractor must have experience in
emergency response and management, environmental response and management, risk
assessment and safety, among other responsibilities, with an emphasis on those matters as
they pertain to the plugging, remediation and reclamation of orphaned wells. Contractor
must have been in business and provided services similar in requirements and scale to those
described in this IFB for a minimum of five (5) years.
6.2 Required Certification, Accreditation, and/or Licenses: Contractor shall provide notarized
copies of all valid licenses and certificates required for performance of the Work. The
notarized copies shall be delivered to the agency no later than ten days after Contractor
receives the Notice of Intent to Award from the agency. Current notarized copies of licenses
and certificates shall be provided to the agency within twenty-four hours (24) of demand at
any time during the contract term. Contractor must possess and maintain the minimum
vendor certifications, accreditations, and/or licensures described in this IFB, including by way
of illustration and not limitation, the following:
1. A business license valid in the State of Mississippi.
The Contractor, either directly or through their subcontractors, must be able to provide all
services and meet all of the requirements requested in this solicitation and the successful
Contractor shall remain responsible for contract performance regardless of subcontractor
participation in the work.
6.3 Budget: Bidder's estimated proposed budget for the completion of the services contemplated
by this IFB should provide a plugging, remediation, and reclamation estimate for each well
listed on Exhibit "A" attached hereto.
6.4 The bidder may be required before the award of any contract to show to the complete
satisfaction of the MSOGB that it has the necessary facilities, ability, and financial resources
to provide the services specified therein in a satisfactory manner. The bidder may also be
required to give a past history and references in order to satisfy the MSOGB in regard to the
bidder's qualifications. The MSOGB may make reasonable investigations deemed necessary
and proper to determine the ability of the bidder to perform the work, and the bidder shall
furnish to the MSOGB all information for this purpose that may be requested. The MSOGB
reserves the right to reject any bid if the evidence submitted by, or investigation of, the bidder
fails to satisfy the MSOGB that the bidder is properly qualified to carry out the obligations of
the contract and to complete the work described therein. Evaluation of the bidder's
qualifications shall include:
1. The bidder's proposed plugging, remediation, and reclamation procedures;
Page 9

2. the bidder's ability, capacity, skill, and financial resources to perform the Work or provide
the services required;
3. the ability of the bidder to perform the Work or provide the services promptly or within
the time specified, without delay or interference;
4. the character, integrity, reputation, judgment, experience, and efficiency of the bidder;
and,
5. the bidder's quality of performance of previous contracts or services.
Section 7 - Duration
The estimated period of performance of any contract resulting from this IFB is tentatively
scheduled to begin on or about October 7, 2026 and to end on or before September 30, 2027.
Section 8 - Bid Submission Requirements
8.1 Submission Format
8.1.1 Bid Cover Sheet (Attachment A)
8.1.2 Bid Form (Attachment B) - all pricing must be submitted on the Bid Form. Failure
to complete and/or sign the Bid Form may result in bidder being determined
nonresponsive.
8.2 Submission Requirements
8.2.1 All bid packages must be received by the agency on or before the Bid Package
Submission Deadline set out in Section 2 - Timeline above. Late bids will be
rejected and remain unopened in the procurement file. MSOGB will not be
responsible for delivery delays, lost packages, misdirected emails, or other errors.
A Contractor may submit its bid in one of the following two ways:
Option 1: Physical Bid Option 2: Email
Mail or deliver the signed bid Email one complete, signed bid package
package in a sealed envelope to: (in .pdf or .XLS format) to ALL of the
following addresses:
Mississippi Oil and Gas Board jnew@ogb.state.ms.us
Orphaned Well Program mzebert@ogb.state.ms.us
Attention: Missy Zebert lpuryear@ogb.state.ms.us
500 Greymont Avenue, Suite E
Jackson, Mississippi 39202 Use this subject line:
Label the envelope clearly:
Page 10