Bid guide
How to bid on the 3424 LRC Kenosha Tug Replacement for the Dept of the Army
What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying
The Department of the Army, specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, is seeking bids for a new 80-foot self-propelled tugboat. This vessel is needed to support various missions within the district. This is an Invitation for Bid (IFB) and is set aside for small business concerns.
The tugboat will have principal dimensions of 80 ft length overall, 28 ft beam overall, 12 ft depth, and a design draft of 9 ft 5 inches. The contractor must deliver the vessel afloat and ready for service to Kewaunee, Wisconsin, within 750 calendar days after the award date.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The solicitation was published on July 21, 2026. Bids are due by September 08, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). All bids must be submitted electronically.
After the deadline, the Army Corps of Engineers will evaluate the submitted bids. This procurement includes liquidated damages, and a bid guarantee, payment, and performance bonds are required from the successful bidder.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is specifically for small business concerns in the shipbuilding and repair industry. The NAICS code for this acquisition is 336611, Ship Building and Repair. Firms with experience in constructing commercial vessels, particularly tugboats of the specified dimensions, would be well-suited.
Given the requirement for bid, payment, and performance bonds, firms should have the financial capacity and bonding relationships necessary to meet these obligations.
How to respond to this solicitation
To access the full solicitation details, you need to click the “View original source” link on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid.
You may need a free account on the portal to view all documents. Your bid must be submitted electronically via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) system by the deadline. This is an Invitation for Bid (IFB), meaning offers are being requested without a separate written solicitation being issued.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
Carefully review all provisions and clauses incorporated by reference, which can be accessed electronically at www.acquisition.gov. Ensure your bid fully addresses all technical specifications for the tugboat, including dimensions and delivery requirements.
Since bid guarantee, payment, and performance bonds are required, start working with your bonding company early to ensure you can meet these requirements. Pay close attention to the delivery timeline of 750 calendar days after award and confirm your ability to meet this schedule. Also, be aware of the liquidated damages associated with this procurement.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of the Army; the original posting controls.