How to bid on Mississippi River Cutterhead Dredge No. 4-2025 for the Dept of the Army

What the Army Corps of Engineers is buying

The Department of the Army, specifically the Army Corps of Engineers, is seeking a fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge. This equipment will be used for work in the New Orleans Harbor Reach of the Mississippi River and the adjacent lock forebays of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

This is a construction project with an estimated value between $5,000,000.00 and $10,000,000.00. Businesses in the construction sector, particularly those specializing in dredging services, should consider this opportunity.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on March 18, 2026. The deadline for responses is March 18, 2028, at 11:00 AM ET. The exact bid opening date will be announced later through a future amendment to the solicitation.

It is important to submit your offer before the deadline. Late submissions may not be considered.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms that own or can provide a fully crewed and equipped hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredge. Experience with river dredging operations, especially in busy waterways like the Mississippi River, would be beneficial.

The project falls under the construction category and is valued in the multi-million dollar range, indicating a need for established firms with significant operational capacity and financial stability.

How to respond to this solicitation

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

To access the opportunity, click “View original source”. If the first click leads to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.

Practical tips for a competitive response

Ensure your company is registered with the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) before submitting an offer, as this is a mandatory requirement to receive a government contract award. Keep your SAM registration active and up to date.

Carefully review all solicitation documents and any amendments once they are released. Pay close attention to the technical specifications for the dredge, crew qualifications, and any specific performance requirements. Clearly address how your proposed solution meets or exceeds these requirements.

Consider registering as an Interested Vendor on SAM.gov. This can be done by clicking on the solicitation title and then selecting 'Register as an Interested Vendor'. This helps with marketing and allows you to receive updates. If you plan to subcontract, you are encouraged to post notices on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.