How to bid on Mississippi River Dredging for the Dept of the Army

What the agency is buying

The Department of the Army, specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, needs a fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge. This equipment will be used for dredging operations in the New Orleans Harbor reach of the Mississippi River, adjacent lock forebays of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and various bayou and canal bar channels including Bayou Lafourche, Baptiste Collette, Houma Navigation Canal, and Barataria Bar Channel.

This project is valued between $10 million and $25 million, making it a significant opportunity for construction firms specializing in dredging.

Key dates and deadlines

This is a Request for Information (RFI) published on April 21, 2025. The deadline for this RFI is February 28, 2027, at 12:00 PM ET. The actual solicitation for bids is expected to be issued around May 6, 2025. A specific bid opening date will be established in a future amendment to the solicitation.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is ideal for construction firms with expertise in hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredging. Vendors should have the capacity to furnish a fully crewed and equipped dredge capable of performing work in river and channel environments.

The project falls under the construction category and requires specialized equipment and operational experience in marine dredging.

How to respond

The solicitation documents will be posted on SAM.gov. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader for .PDF files to open most of the documents. You are encouraged to register as an interested vendor on SAM.gov by clicking on the solicitation title and then the 'Register as an Interested Vendor' button.

To receive a government contract award, offerers must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your company's SAM registration is active and up-to-date. This is a mandatory requirement for all government contracts. Review the RFI and any subsequent solicitation documents carefully to understand the full scope of work and specific requirements for the dredge and crew.

Highlight your firm's experience with similar dredging projects, especially those in complex river or harbor environments. Provide clear details on the type and capacity of the hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge you propose to use, as well as the qualifications of your crew. Consider posting notices of prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration’s SubNet if you plan to use subcontractors.