How to bid on Mississippi River Dredge Contract No. 5-2026 with 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 contract, OM26005, is for work primarily in the Mississippi River and Southwest Pass, and potentially other areas within and outside the New Orleans District.

This is a significant construction opportunity, with an estimated value between $10,000,000 and $25,000,000. It is suitable for firms specializing in large-scale dredging operations.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on April 16, 2026. The solicitation documents are expected to be issued on or about April 30, 2026. A specific bid opening date will be established in a future amendment.

The deadline for this Request for Information (RFI) is April 30, 2028, at 11:30 AM ET. At this time, the agency will have collected all submitted information.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is best suited for construction firms with expertise in large-scale marine dredging, specifically those capable of providing a fully crewed and equipped self-propelled trailing suction type hopper dredge. The work location is Plaquemine, LA, and surrounding areas.

Vendors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) to be eligible for a government contract award.

How to respond

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

Once you have accessed the solicitation documents on SAM.gov, you can prepare your response. You are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.SAM.gov by clicking the solicitation title and then the “Register as an Interested Vendor” button to enter your business information. Offerers are also encouraged to post subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your SAM.gov registration is active and up-to-date. This is a mandatory requirement for receiving a government contract award. Verify all your business information is accurate.

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

Consider forming partnerships or joint ventures if your firm does not independently meet all aspects of the solicitation, especially for a project of this magnitude and specialized nature. Clearly define roles and responsibilities within any team.