How to bid on the Mississippi River Saltwater Barrier Sill for the Dept of the Army

What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying

The Department of the Army is seeking a contractor to build and maintain a saltwater barrier sill on the Mississippi River, specifically between Mile 63.0 and Mile 64.0 Above Head of Passes. This project requires a cutterhead dredge and attendant plant to hydraulically dredge material from the river bottom and place it to form the sill.

The estimated cost for this construction project is between $10 million and $25 million. This is a significant opportunity for firms specializing in large-scale dredging and marine construction.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is currently a Request for Information (RFI) published on May 12, 2025. The solicitation for this project is expected to be issued around May 27, 2025. A bid opening date will be established in a future amendment to the solicitation.

The deadline for this RFI is May 28, 2027, at 11:30 AM ET. At the deadline, the agency will have gathered information to help shape the final solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is best suited for construction firms with expertise in large-scale hydraulic dredging and marine construction. Specifically, contractors who own or have access to cutterhead dredges and related equipment will be well-positioned.

The project falls under the construction category and requires experience with riverine engineering and environmental considerations for barrier sill construction.

How to respond

The solicitation documents for this procurement will be posted on Sam.gov. You can access these files from a link located on Sam.gov. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader for .pdf files to open most documents posted by the New Orleans District.

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.

For marketing purposes, you are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.Sam.gov. This can be done by clicking on the solicitation title and then clicking the “Register as an Interested Vendor” button to enter your business information. Offerers 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 release. This is a mandatory step for all government contractors.

Carefully review all specifications and drawings once the solicitation is released. Pay close attention to the required dredge capabilities, the proposed sill configuration, and borrow areas. Understanding these details will be crucial for an accurate proposal.

Consider potential subcontracting opportunities. Offerers are encouraged to post notices of prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet. This can help you find partners or identify areas where you might need to subcontract.