How to bid on orphan gas well plugging for PA Department of Environmental Protection

What the agency is buying

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is seeking a contractor to clean out and plug eight orphan gas wells. These wells are located in Foster and Otto townships, McKean County, Pennsylvania. The estimated depth of the wells ranges from 1,200 to 1,600 feet.

The work also includes preparing and restoring the well sites and mobilizing and demobilizing the necessary plugging equipment. This opportunity is for firms experienced in environmental remediation, particularly with gas well operations.

Key dates and deadlines

The solicitation was published on September 04, 2026. A mandatory pre-bid conference is scheduled for September 15, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Otto Township VFD Station 9 in Duke Center, PA. Attendance at this conference is required; failure to attend will result in your bid being rejected.

The deadline for submitting quotations is October 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. All submissions must be received by this time.

Who this opportunity suits

This Request for Quotations (RFQ) is suitable for professional contractors with expertise in gas well services, environmental cleanup, and site restoration. Firms with a strong background in plugging orphan wells and managing associated logistics will be well-suited for this project. Experience with state environmental regulations and safety protocols is also important.

How to respond

To access the bid documents, you can go to BidExpress.com, PA Department of Environmental Protection, starting from the issue date. Free copies of the bid documents will be available there.

After reviewing the solicitation details and downloading all documents, prepare your response as directed within the solicitation. Many Pennsylvania bids are submitted through the PA Supplier Portal, which requires free vendor registration, or directly to the listed contact. Ensure you attend the mandatory pre-bid conference on September 15, 2026, as missing it will lead to bid rejection.

Tips for a competitive response

Given the mandatory pre-bid conference, make sure to attend and ask any clarifying questions you have about the scope of work or site conditions. This is your best chance to understand the agency's expectations directly.

When preparing your quotation, clearly detail your experience with similar well plugging and site restoration projects. Highlight your team's qualifications and any specialized equipment or techniques you plan to use. Provide a realistic timeline for project completion and ensure your pricing is competitive and comprehensive, covering all aspects of the work including mobilization and demobilization.