Houston Ship Channel - Sims to Turning Basin Dredging

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a pre-solicitation notice from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District, for a contract to perform dredging services in the Houston Ship Channel, specifically between Sims Bayou and the upper Turning Basin area. An option for dredging at the Port of Houston Authority Docks, including tire and debris removal, is also included.

• Dredging between Sims Bayou and the upper Turning Basin area.

• Option to include dredging at Port of Houston Authority Docks and tire/debris removal.

• Schedule 1 completion time: 120 calendar days after Notice to Proceed.

• Option No. 1 completion time: Additional 90 calendar days.

• Liquidated damages will apply for failure to complete work within specified time.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price.

• Estimated Magnitude: Between $25,000,000.00 and $100,000,000.00.

• Availability of funds is a condition for the solicitation.

• Pre-award documents required within 2 working days after Bid Opening.

• Performance and Payment Bonds required within 5 calendar days after award.

• Work to begin within 10 calendar days after acknowledgement of Notice to Proceed.

• Solicitation issuance expected on or about June 2026.

• Response date expected on or about July 2026.

• This solicitation is a small business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 237990 – Other Heavy and Civil Construction.

• Small Business Size Standard: $37,000,000.00.

• All offerors must be registered at SAM.gov.

• Contractors can register as an interested vendor on SAM.gov.

• Solicitation, plans, and specifications will be available for download via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) suite at https://piee.eb.mil/.

• Plans and specifications will not be available in paper format or on compact disc.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring the PIEE Solicitation Module daily for updates.

• Contract Specialist: Ashley Griffin (ashley.l.griffin@usace.army.mil).

• Contracting Officer: Curtis Cole, Jr. (curtis.cole@usace.army.mil).

Sources Sought

This is a market survey announcement for information purposes only, to aid in preliminary planning for the Houston Ship Channel – Sims to Turning Basin Dredging project in Harris County, Texas. It is NOT a solicitation for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Galveston District is seeking information on industry capabilities for this project, which will be a competitive, firm-fixed price, Stand-Alone contract procured in accordance with FAR 14 (Sealed Bidding process). The type of set-aside decision will depend on the responses received.

• Dredging of the main stem Houston Ship Channel generally between Sims Bayou and the upper Turning Basin.

• Includes options for Port of Houston docks.

• All material to be placed in Rosa Allen, an upland confined Placement Area.

• Contractors should provide examples of prime contractor experience dredging deep draft navigation channels and include production rates.

• Construction performance must comply with USACE Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM 385-1-1) and all Federal, State, and local laws.

• Estimated construction price range: $10,000,000 to $25,000,000.

• Estimated duration: 180 calendar days.

• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code: 237990 (Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction).

• Small business size standard for NAICS 237990: $37,000,000.00.

• Product Service Code (PSC): Z1KB.

• This is a Sources Sought notice, not a solicitation. No reimbursement for costs associated with providing information.

• Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

• Responses are limited to 5 pages.

• Interested firms must respond no later than January 30, 2026, at 4:00 PM CT.

• Responses must be emailed to Ashley Griffin (Ashley.L.Griffin@usace.army.mil) and Curtis Cole, Jr. (Curtis.Cole@uasace.army.mil).

• The government is seeking to gain knowledge of capabilities from various industry members, including Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB).

• Small businesses are encouraged to participate.

• For dredging procurements, a firm must perform at least 40% of the volume dredged with its own equipment or equipment owned by another small business dredging concern to be considered small.

• Limitations on Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14) apply.

• Large businesses must comply with FAR 52.219-9 by submitting a Small Business Subcontracting Plan if the action is solicited as Full and Open Competition.

• If set-aside for the 8(a) program, 8(a) firms need a bona-fide office in the geographical area of consideration.

• Anticipated solicitation issuance date: On or about June 2026.

• Estimated proposal due date: On or about July 2026.

• The official synopsis will be issued on Contracting Opportunities (SAM) at https://sam.gov/.

• All interested firms must be registered in SAM.gov to be eligible for award of Government contracts.

• Response content requirements include: firm's name, contact info, interest in bidding, capability (with examples of comparable work within the past 5 years), business size, joint venture information (if applicable), bonding capacity, and description of dredge to be used.