How to bid on Mississippi River Southwest Pass Hopper Dredge Contract for the Dept of the Army

What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying

The Department of the Army is seeking a fully crewed and equipped self-propelled trailing suction type hopper dredge. This equipment will be used for work in the Mississippi River Southwest Pass and potentially other areas within the New Orleans, Galveston, and Mobile Districts.

This dredging project is valued between $10 million and $25 million. This is a significant opportunity for firms specializing in large-scale marine construction and dredging operations.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on February 4, 2025. The deadline for this RFI is February 28, 2027, at 12:00 PM ET. The solicitation itself is expected to be issued on or about December 9, 2024. A specific bid opening date for the solicitation will be announced in a future amendment.

The deadline for this RFI is for informational purposes. For the actual solicitation, all required documents must be submitted by the bid opening date to be established later. Late submissions are generally not accepted for government contracts.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with expertise in marine dredging, particularly those owning or having access to fully crewed and equipped self-propelled trailing suction type hopper dredges. The project's magnitude suggests it is for experienced contractors capable of handling large-scale federal projects.

Firms with a strong track record in similar river or coastal dredging projects, especially within the Gulf Coast region, would be well-suited for this contract. The relevant category for this work is construction.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the opportunity, click “View original source” to open the opportunity on the portal. If the first click lands you on the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though for many bids, an account is not required.

The solicitation documents will be posted on Sam.gov. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader for .pdf files to open most documents. You are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.Sam.gov by clicking on the solicitation title and then on the 'Register as an Interested Vendor' button. Offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to receive a government contract award.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your SAM registration is active and up-to-date well before the solicitation's bid opening date. An expired or incomplete SAM registration can prevent you from receiving an award.

Carefully review all solicitation documents once they are released. Pay close attention to the scope of work, technical specifications for the dredge, personnel requirements, and any specific experience or past performance criteria. Tailor your proposal to directly address each requirement.

Consider posting notices of prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet. This can help you identify potential partners or subcontractors, especially if you are a small business looking to team up or a larger firm seeking to meet subcontracting goals.