Bid guide
How to bid on Tainter Valves (TV3 & TV4) Repair for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
What the agency is buying
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland District, plans to contract for the repair and rehabilitation of two Tainter valves, TV3 and TV4, at the John Day Lock and Dam in Rufus, Oregon. This is a firm-fixed-price construction contract with an estimated value between $1 million and $5 million.
The work involves structural and weld repairs to the skin plate, girders, and other structural members, addressing cracks, corrosion, and cavitation damage. It also includes replacing top, bottom, and side seals, seal plates, and hardware. New armor plates will be installed to mitigate cavitation. The project requires transporting the valves to and from a fabrication shop and conducting dimensional surveys at various stages. The entire project is expected to take 321 days after the notice to proceed.
Key dates and deadlines
This is a pre-solicitation notice. The official solicitation is expected to be released around mid-August 2026. Once released, bids will be due approximately 30 days later. The exact dates and times will be specified in the solicitation document.
A site visit is anticipated to occur 7-14 days after the solicitation is posted. It is important to monitor the official solicitation for precise dates and to plan your response accordingly.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with expertise in heavy and civil engineering, specifically in the repair or alteration of dams and related structures. The North American Industrial Classification Code (NAICS) for this project is 237990, "Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction," with a size standard of $45 million.
Bidders must be certified under the AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction) Quality Certification Program, specifically as an AISC Certified Plant, Category CBR, IBR, ABR, or HYD with a fracture critical endorsement (FCE). The fabricator or fabrication plant must also have five years of documented experience on projects of similar scope.
How to respond
To access the full solicitation when it is released, you will need to view the original source on the government portal. Sometimes, clicking the link once takes you to the homepage, so a second click may be needed to reach the specific bid page. You may need a free account on the portal to view all associated documents.
All offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to submitting bids and receiving an award. The government intends to award this contract without discussions, but reserves the right to conduct them if it is in their best interest. Email is the only method for receiving responses to pre-solicitation notices.
Practical tips for a competitive response
Given the specialized nature of this project, thoroughly review the engineering drawings and specifications once the solicitation is released. Pay close attention to the detailed requirements for structural and weld repairs, ensuring your proposed methods align with AWS D1.1 standards and USACE specifications.
Highlight your firm's relevant experience, especially projects involving Tainter valves or similar hydraulic structures, and clearly demonstrate your AISC certification and fracture critical endorsement. Detail your plan for the removal, transport, repair, and reinstallation of the valves, including how you will manage the required dimensional control surveys. Ensure your bid reflects a comprehensive understanding of the project scope and the technical challenges involved.
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 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Northwestern Division, Portland District; the original posting controls.