Bid guide
How to bid on Thomas J. O Brien (TJO) Embankment Repair for the DEPT of Defense
What the agency is buying and why a vendor would care
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District, is seeking construction services for the Thomas J. O'Brien (TJO) Embankment Repair project in Chicago, Illinois. This project addresses identified deficiencies in the embankments located east and west of the TJO Lock.
The scope of work includes earthwork to raise embankment height, clearing and grubbing of vegetation, culvert repair, and riprap placement. The estimated value of this construction project is between $1 million and $5 million. This is an 8(a) competitive set-aside, making it a targeted opportunity for eligible small businesses.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
The solicitation was published on September 09, 2026. Bids are due by 2:00 PM ET on September 18, 2026. Please note that the solicitation has been amended, and interested parties should download all amendments and include them with their submission.
A Virtual Public Bid Opening will be conducted on the same day, September 18, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time (CT). Interested parties can view and listen to the bid opening live via Microsoft Teams using the provided access credentials.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is an 8(a) competitive set-aside, specifically designed for eligible small businesses. The North American Industry System Classification Code (NAICS) is 237990, which covers Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is $45.0 million.
Firms specializing in civil engineering construction, particularly those with experience in earthwork, vegetation management, culvert repair, and riprap placement, would be well-suited for this project.
How to respond
To access the solicitation and technical data, such as plans and specifications, you must use the DoD Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) system. The solicitation will be downloadable from PIEE only. Project specification files are in PDF format.
Contractors are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at the time an offer is submitted. Registration can be completed free of charge at sam.gov. You must register with sam.gov prior to registering with the DoD PIEE system. Your firm must register with PIEE to access the solicitation and to place a bid or proposal.
Practical tips for preparing a competitive response
Given this is an 8(a) competitive set-aside, ensure your firm's 8(a) certification is current and in good standing. Verify your SAM and PIEE registrations are active and complete well in advance of the deadline, as these are mandatory for accessing documents and submitting your bid.
Carefully review all solicitation documents, including any amendments. Amendment 0001 clarifies the period of performance and adds Pre-Bid Site Visit Details, while Amendment 0002 extends the response time. Ensure your proposal addresses all requirements and incorporates information from all amendments. Pay close attention to the scope of work, including earthwork, clearing, culvert repair, and riprap placement, to accurately estimate costs and develop your technical approach.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from DEPT of the Army; the original posting controls.