How to bid on Mississippi River, New Orleans Harbor Cutterhead Dredge No. 1-2025

What the Department of the Army is buying

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

This project is estimated to be between $5 million and $10 million. This represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in dredging services and equipment.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on April 22, 2025. The final deadline for responses is April 21, 2027, at 12:00 PM ET. The specific bid opening date will be announced later through an amendment to the solicitation.

It is important to submit your response before the deadline. Late submissions are generally not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms, particularly those with expertise in hydraulic pipeline cutterhead dredging. Businesses that own or can provide a fully crewed and equipped dredge are well-suited.

The work falls under the construction category, specifically involving marine construction and dredging operations.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, you must go to the portal. Click “View original source” to open the opportunity. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid.

You may need a free account to view documents, though for some bids, an account is not required. You must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for a contract award. You are also encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on beta.Sam.gov for marketing purposes.

Practical tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your SAM registration is active and up-to-date well before the submission deadline. This is a mandatory requirement for receiving a government contract.

Carefully review all solicitation documents once they are available. Pay close attention to the technical specifications for the dredge and crew, as well as any performance requirements. Prepare a detailed proposal that clearly demonstrates your capability to meet all specified requirements.

Consider posting notices of any prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet. This can help you find partners and strengthen your proposal.