How to bid on Willapa Harbor Maintenance Dredging for the Dept of the Army

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Department of the Army, through the USACE Seattle District, is looking for a contractor to perform maintenance dredging in Willapa Harbor, Washington. This project involves removing approximately 180,000 cubic yards of sediment from three federal navigation channels: the entrance to Tokeland Marina, the entrance channel to Nahcotta, and the Bay Center entrance channel and basin.

The work is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million and will be a firm-fixed-price contract. Dredged material will be disposed of in Willapa Bay. This is a significant opportunity for firms specializing in mechanical dredging, particularly those experienced with challenging marine conditions.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a pre-solicitation notice, meaning a full solicitation is anticipated. The deadline for this notice is November 05, 2028, at 12:00 PM ET. The actual in-water work is expected to begin in July 2026 and must be completed by February 15, 2027, with specific deadlines for each project feature.

At the deadline for this pre-solicitation notice, the agency will have collected initial interest and potentially questions from vendors, which will help them prepare the forthcoming full solicitation. It is important to monitor for the release of the official solicitation document.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms specializing in dredging, particularly those with experience in mechanical (clamshell) dredging. The project requires navigating challenging, unmaintained waters, including the Willapa Bar, which has dynamic shoals, strong tidal currents, and difficult weather conditions. Contractors must be prepared for difficult mobilization, demobilization, and construction conditions.

The NAICS code for this procurement is 237990, Dredging and Surface Cleanup, with an associated small business size standard of $37,000,000 in average annual receipts. Firms meeting this size standard and having relevant experience are encouraged to consider this opportunity.

How to respond

To access the opportunity, click “View original source” to open the listing on the portal. If you land on the homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.

To receive automatic notifications of updates, log in to the portal and add the solicitation to your Watchlist. If you wish to be listed as an interested vendor, click the ‘Add Me to Interested Vendors’ button on the listing page.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Given the challenging marine conditions described, emphasize your firm's experience with similar difficult environments, including managing dynamic shoals, strong currents, and adverse weather. Highlight any past projects involving unmaintained waterways or complex navigation.

Ensure your firm is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at sam.gov. This registration is mandatory for all contractors proposing on Department of Defense solicitations and must be completed before a contract can be awarded. Registering early is highly recommended.

Carefully review the forthcoming solicitation for specific requirements regarding dredging depths, sediment disposal, and work windows for each project feature. Develop a detailed project plan that addresses these specifics and demonstrates your capacity to complete the work within the tight in-water work windows, especially considering the potential for difficult conditions.