How to bid on Southwest Pass Maintenance Dredging for the Dept of the Army

What the Army is buying and why it matters

The Department of the Army is seeking a fully crewed and equipped cutterhead dredge for maintenance work in the Mississippi River Southwest Pass area, and potentially other locations within the New Orleans District. The dredge must have a discharge opening of at least 30 inches in diameter.

This project is estimated to be between $10 million and $25 million. This is a significant opportunity for firms specializing in large-scale dredging operations.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This solicitation was published on April 16, 2026. The deadline for responses is April 15, 2028, at 11:30 AM ET. A 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 typically not accepted.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with expertise in large-scale dredging, specifically those operating cutterhead dredges with a discharge size of 30 inches or greater. The work involves maintenance dredging in major waterways.

Vendors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for a contract award.

How to respond

To access the solicitation documents, you will need to view the original source on the portal. If the first click takes you to the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

All solicitation documents will be posted on Sam.gov. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader for .pdf files to open most of the files posted by the New Orleans District.

Practical tips for a competitive response

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

Thoroughly review all solicitation documents and any amendments once they are released. Pay close attention to the specific requirements for the dredge equipment, crew qualifications, and any performance metrics.

Consider registering as an Interested Vendor on Sam.gov for marketing purposes and to receive updates. Also, if you plan to subcontract, you are encouraged to post opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.