To drill core wells in the Lower Grand River watershed, southern Ontario

PROCUREMENT OVERVIEW

The Department of Natural Resources (NRCan), through the Geological Survey of Canada, is seeking proposals for a hydrogeological characterization project in the Lower Grand River watershed, southern Ontario. The project aims to assess groundwater flow patterns and the presence of poor-quality water influenced by various natural and anthropogenic contaminants. The scope includes drilling core wells at four primary sites, with the potential for three additional sites, converting these into environmental monitoring wells. The drilling will focus on obtaining core samples from surficial sediments and bedrock, with total depths of approximately 50 meters (165 feet), and potentially 65 meters (215 feet) for two wells, depending on budget availability.

ISSUING ORGANIZATION

• Organization: Department of Natural Resources (NRCan)
• Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• Primary Contact: Len Pizzi
• Email: [email protected]

KEY DATES

• Posted Date: June 30, 2026
• Proposal Due Date: August 10, 2026
• Anticipated Start Date for Work: Third week of September 2026

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Certifications: Bidders must possess relevant certifications for well drilling and environmental monitoring.
• Experience: Demonstrated experience in hydrogeological projects, particularly in core drilling and groundwater sampling.
• Geographic Restrictions: Work must be performed in the Lower Grand River watershed area.
• Insurance Requirements: Bidders may need to provide proof of insurance related to drilling operations.

TECHNICAL CAPABILITIES

Bidders must demonstrate expertise in:

• Core drilling techniques, specifically PQ and HQ methods.
• Environmental monitoring and groundwater sampling methodologies.
• Familiarity with geological and hydrogeological assessments.

DELIVERABLES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

Key deliverables include:

• Completion of core drilling at specified sites.
• Conversion of boreholes into environmental monitoring wells.
• Collection and analysis of groundwater samples.
• Reporting on the composition and characteristics of surficial sediments and bedrock.

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated primarily on the basis of the lowest price. However, bidders must also demonstrate technical capability and relevant past performance to qualify. The evaluation will consider the bidder's approach to the project and their experience in similar projects.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

While not mandatory, the following qualifications may provide a competitive advantage:

• Advanced certifications in environmental science or geology.
• Experience with similar hydrogeological projects in Ontario or comparable regions.
• Proven track record of successful project completion within budget and timeline constraints.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the RFP for potential bidders to assess their fit for the project.