How to bid on Southwest Pass Maintenance Dredging (OM26276) for the Dept of the Army

What the agency is buying

The Department of the Army is seeking information for a maintenance dredging project. They need one fully crewed and equipped cutterhead dredge with a discharge opening of at least 30 inches in diameter. The work will primarily be in the Mississippi River Southwest Pass area, with potential for work in other areas of the New Orleans District.

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

Key dates and deadlines

This Request for Information (RFI) was published on February 06, 2026. The deadline for responses is February 20, 2028, at 12:00 PM ET. The actual solicitation for this project is expected to be issued around February 20, 2026. A specific bid opening date will be set in a future amendment once the solicitation is released.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is suitable for construction firms with significant experience in large-scale dredging, particularly those operating cutterhead dredges of 30 inches or greater discharge size. Vendors should be capable of providing a fully crewed and equipped dredge along with all necessary attendant plant. Firms with a strong background in river maintenance and navigation projects will find this relevant.

How to respond

To access the opportunity, click “View original source” to open the portal. If the first click takes you to the 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.

For marketing purposes, you are encouraged to register as an Interested Vendor on Sam.gov by clicking the solicitation title and then the “Register as an Interested Vendor” button. Offerors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for a government contract award.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Ensure your firm's SAM registration is active and up to date, as this is a mandatory requirement for receiving a contract award. Given the scale of the project, clearly demonstrate your capacity to provide a fully crewed and equipped cutterhead dredge of the specified size, including all attendant plant.

Highlight your experience with similar large-scale dredging projects, especially those in riverine environments or navigation channels. Pay close attention to any specific requirements or preferences outlined in the eventual solicitation documents once they are released. Consider posting any prospective subcontracting opportunities on the Small Business Administration's Subnet.