How to bid on Forest Wide Well Decommissioning for Black Hills National Forest

What the agency is buying

The Department of Agriculture, specifically the Black Hills National Forest, needs a contractor to close and seal 16 water sources. This includes 11 wells and one cistern in Pennington County, South Dakota, and an additional five wells in Custer County, South Dakota. The work must strictly follow South Dakota well-plugging regulations.

This opportunity is a total small business set-aside, meaning only small businesses are eligible to bid. The relevant industry code is NAICS 237110, which covers Water and Sewer Line and Related Structures Construction.

Key dates and deadlines

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) was published on August 26, 2026. All quotations must be submitted by September 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. It is crucial to submit your bid on time, as late submissions will not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is ideal for small businesses specializing in water and sewer line construction, particularly those with experience in well decommissioning and sealing. Firms familiar with South Dakota's specific administrative rules and codified laws regarding well plugging will be well-suited. Given the project's location, contractors based in or near Rapid City, SD, or with experience working in the Black Hills region, may find this particularly relevant.

How to respond

To access the solicitation and all attachments, you need to click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need to create a free account on the portal to view all documents, though this is not always required.

Your offer must include a bid bond (Standard Form 24) equal to 20% of your total offer price, up to a maximum of $3 million. Failure to provide this bid bond will result in your offer being rejected as non-responsive. If awarded the contract, you will also need to submit 100% performance and payment bonds (Standard Form 25 and 25A, respectively) within 10 calendar days after the award. These bonds must be emailed to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer before work begins.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Carefully review all project plans and attachments, as these provide specific well closure requirements, location maps, directions, and photos for each of the 16 water sources. Understanding these details is essential for an accurate and competitive bid.

Ensure your bid bond is correctly prepared and submitted with your quotation. Any errors or omissions in the bid bond can lead to disqualification. Also, be prepared to secure the required performance and payment bonds promptly if you are awarded the contract, as there is a strict 10-day deadline after award.

Highlight your firm's experience with similar well decommissioning projects, especially those involving compliance with specific state regulations. Demonstrating your understanding of South Dakota's well-plugging rules will be a significant advantage.