Dive Support Services - Olmsted Lock and Dam
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Louisville District, is conducting market research via a Sources Sought notice to identify qualified small businesses capable of providing Dive Support Services at Olmsted Lock and Dam, Illinois. This effort involves underwater inspection and debris removal in challenging river conditions. The requirement is anticipated to be an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with an estimated magnitude of $250,000 - $500,000 for the base project. Responses are due by June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide all necessary labor, equipment, and materials for dive support services. The primary focus is inspecting and removing debris from the upstream side of the 1,400-foot Wicket Trench before the dam is raised. This work requires operating in constant river velocities up to 5 feet per second (fps) with limited visibility. The base scope includes up to three dive inspection and cleaning cycles annually, with potential for up to five optional dives per year for emergent needs.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Sources Sought (Market Research)
- Anticipated Contract Type: Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
- Period of Performance: Anticipated five-year period (one-year base + four one-year option periods)
- Estimated Magnitude: $250,000 - $500,000 for the base project
- NAICS Code: 237990 (Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction)
- Size Standard: $45 Million
- Response Due: June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM (Central Time, based on Louisville District)
- Published: June 17, 2026
Requirements & Capabilities
Contractor responsibilities include project management, supervision, and providing a 5-person dive team with all certified dive equipment, storage, ladders/access means, and rigging. All diving operations must comply with USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual, EM 385-1-1. The USACE will provide the floating plant (dive barge), Load Handling Equipment (LHE) support, an on-site Motor Vessel (M/V) for fleeting/repositioning, and access to onsite facilities and utilities.
Interested firms must demonstrate experience in:
- Underwater inspection and debris removal in hazardous, open-river environments with currents.
- Strict adherence to EM 385-1-1 safety standards, including providing a fully compliant 5-person dive team.
- Rapid mobilization capability (full team and equipment within 7-10 days of notice).
Submission Details
This market research targets small businesses, including Small Business, HUBZone, 8A, Woman-Owned Small Business, and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business categories. Responses must be submitted via a Microsoft Form (link provided in the original document). Required information includes Business Name, UEI/Cage Code, business address, Point of Contact (POC) details, small business status verification, and project examples detailing scope, size, self-performance percentage, and completion details. Email responses will not be accepted.
Important Notes
This is for information purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract. The government will use responses to determine if a small business set-aside is appropriate. All contractors must be registered in SAM.gov prior to any potential award.