How to bid on Dashields Locks and Dam Hydraulic System Upgrade for the DEPT of the Army

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking a contractor to replace and upgrade the hydraulic, electrical, control, and supporting building systems at Dashields Locks and Dam in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. This project involves demolishing existing systems and installing new components, including four hydraulic power units, new hydraulic cylinders (some contractor-furnished, some government-furnished), new controls and piping, and new two-story HPU buildings and one-story control shelters.

The work also includes concrete demolition and installation, geotechnical and civil site analysis, and the use of floating work equipment and boats due to the location along the Ohio River. All new equipment must be tested and commissioned, and as-built drawings must be stamped by a registered Professional Engineer. This is a firm-fixed-price contract with a required completion within 730 days after the notice to proceed.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Proposal (RFP) was published on July 23, 2026. The deadline for submitting offers is August 18, 2026, at 11:00 AM ET. All proposals must be submitted by this time. The solicitation was initially expected around June 18, 2026, with amendments listed for June 30 and July 23, 2026.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is a 100% small-business set-aside, making it suitable for small businesses specializing in heavy and civil engineering construction. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code for this acquisition is 237990, 'Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction,' with a small business size standard of $45,000,000. Firms with expertise in hydraulic system installation, electrical upgrades, control system integration, and construction involving floating work plants would be well-suited for this project.

How to respond to this solicitation

To respond to this solicitation, your company must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) with an active status. You must also be registered in the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) for the Solicitation Module with the 'PROPOSAL MANAGER' role. The RFP will be issued online through PIEE, which posts the opportunity to SAM.gov; hardcopy requests will not be honored.

To register in SAM.gov, navigate to SAM.gov, sign in or create an account, and then select 'Register Entity' under the Entity Management widget. Registration can take at least ten business days to become active and must be renewed every 365 days. For assistance with SAM.gov, you can contact the Federal Service Desk.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your SAM.gov registration is active and up-to-date well before the deadline, as it can take time to process. Verify your PIEE registration and 'PROPOSAL MANAGER' role to ensure you can access and submit your offer. Carefully review all solicitation documents, including any amendments, to understand the full scope of work and all requirements.

Given the technical nature of the hydraulic, electrical, and control system upgrades, highlight your firm's specific experience with similar complex installations. Emphasize your capability to manage projects involving demolition, new construction, and specialized equipment like floating work plants. Clearly detail your approach to testing, commissioning, and providing stamped as-built drawings, as these are explicit requirements.