How to bid on Mississippi River Dredge Contract No. 8-2026 with the Dept of the Army

What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying

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

This project is a significant opportunity for firms in the construction and dredging sector, with an estimated value between $10 million and $25 million.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is currently a Request for Information (RFI). The actual solicitation for this project is expected to be issued around April 30, 2026. A specific bid opening date will be established and announced in a future amendment to the solicitation.

The deadline for this RFI is April 30, 2028, at 11:30 AM ET. This deadline is for the RFI, not the final bid. Keep an eye out for the official solicitation release around April 30, 2026, for the actual bidding timeline.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is best suited for construction firms specializing in marine operations, particularly those with experience in large-scale dredging projects. Vendors must own or have access to a fully crewed and equipped self-propelled trailing suction type hopper dredge.

The project falls under the construction category and requires expertise in river and pass maintenance, likely involving significant earthmoving and navigational support.

How to respond to this solicitation

To access the solicitation documents when they are released, you will need to visit SAM.gov. The files will be linked from the opportunity page on SAM.gov. You may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open some of the posted files.

You are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.SAM.gov for marketing purposes. This can be done by clicking on the solicitation title and selecting the 'Register as an Interested Vendor' button. Offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for a government contract award.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your SAM.gov registration is active and up-to-date well in advance of the solicitation release. Any discrepancies or expired registrations can delay your ability to submit a bid.

Given the nature of the work, focus on demonstrating your firm's experience with similar large-scale dredging projects, particularly those involving self-propelled hopper dredges. Highlight your equipment capabilities and the qualifications of your crew.

Pay close attention to all instructions in the forthcoming solicitation. Government bids often have specific formatting and submission requirements that must be followed precisely to avoid disqualification. Consider posting notices of prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.