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

What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying

The Department of the Army is seeking a contractor to provide cutterhead dredge services. This work involves constructing and possibly maintaining a saltwater barrier sill on the Mississippi River, specifically between Mile 63.0 and Mile 64.0 Above Head of Passes. The project requires hydraulically dredging material from the river bottom and placing it to form the sill. This contract is estimated to be between $10 million and $25 million.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on May 12, 2025. The deadline for this RFI is May 28, 2027, at 11:30 AM ET. The official solicitation is expected to be issued around May 27, 2025. A bid opening date will be set in a future amendment to the solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with expertise in dredging, particularly those operating cutterhead dredges. The project involves significant hydraulic dredging and material placement for a large-scale river infrastructure project. Firms with experience in similar marine construction or river engineering projects will be well-suited.

The magnitude of this construction project is substantial, ranging from $10 million to $25 million, indicating a need for contractors with the capacity and resources to handle projects of this scale.

How to respond

The solicitation documents for this procurement will be posted on Sam.gov. To access these files, you will need to visit Sam.gov. You may need Adobe Acrobat Reader to open .pdf files. You are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.Sam.gov by clicking on the solicitation title and then selecting the 'Register as an Interested Vendor' button.

Offerers must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to receive a government contract award. The SAM internet address is sam.gov. Offerers are also encouraged to post notices of prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Given the nature of this dredging project, ensure your proposal clearly outlines your firm's experience with cutterhead dredges and similar hydraulic dredging operations. Highlight past projects involving the construction or maintenance of sills, barriers, or other river bottom structures.

Detail your equipment capabilities, including the specifications of your cutterhead dredge and attendant plant. Emphasize your capacity to manage projects within the $10 million to $25 million range. Pay close attention to any specific requirements regarding environmental compliance or operational safety in riverine environments, as these are often critical for such projects.