How to respond to the Providence River dredging RFI from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

What the Army Corps is seeking

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, is seeking information from capable small and large businesses for a planned Providence River maintenance dredging project. This is a Sources Sought RFI, not the construction solicitation. The Corps expects to issue that solicitation on or about March 15, 2027.

The planned two-year project includes building an access channel and a confined aquatic disposal cell, then mechanically dredging the Providence River and Harbor Federal Navigation Project. The announcement describes about 3.2 million cubic yards for the cell and access channel and about 2.3 million cubic yards for maintenance dredging. The estimated construction cost is $80 million to $100 million.

Deadline and what to submit

Responses are due November 26, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. The package is limited to 20 pages. The announcement gives no later submission period, so plan to send it by the stated deadline.

The Corps expects construction to begin in September 2027 and take about two years. The cell and access channel must be completed before maintenance dredging can begin.

Who this opportunity suits

This RFI is relevant to small and large businesses in NAICS 237990 with mechanical dredging capability. Firms should be able to show two projects completed within the last ten years that demonstrate mechanical dredging at a production rate of at least 300,000 cubic yards in one consecutive 30-day period.

The requested experience also includes placing dredged material at an open-water placement site in New England during October through March. Firms may use subcontractor experience, but each team member’s role on the cited projects must match that member’s planned role on this project.

How to access and send a response

To reach the announcement on the portal, click “View original source.” If the first click opens the portal homepage, click it again to go to the bid. A free account may be needed to view documents, though some opportunities can be viewed without one.

Submit the response to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, 696 Virginia Road, Concord, MA 01742-2751, attention Kyle Hall, or email it to [email protected]. The announcement says draft drawings and a draft specification section are provided with the announcement.

Prepare a useful capabilities package

Include the business classification, proposed equipment, and two qualifying project examples with project points of contact. Explain the work your firm performed, the equipment used, and how the examples demonstrate the required production rate and fall or winter open-water placement experience.

If proposing subcontractors, identify them and describe their qualifications, experience, and planned roles. The RFI also asks for comments on disposal-location bid structure, draft restrictions, the September 2027 to September 2029 performance period, and bed leveling in the Fox Point Reach. Review the provided draft documents and make comments specific to those topics.

The announcement says a bid bond will be required with the bid. Since this is an RFI response, focus the package on the requested capabilities and project feedback; the bid bond requirement applies to the bid.