Submerged Infrastructure Inspection Challenge
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), under the Department of Defense, has issued a Special Notice for the Submerged Infrastructure Inspection Challenge. This initiative seeks field-ready technologies to inspect submerged lock infrastructure without dewatering, providing high-resolution, actionable insights for future maintenance planning. The challenge is open to companies and teams specializing in underwater imaging, robotics, sensing, marine operations, and related data-collection technologies.
Challenge Overview
The challenge aims to advance proven underwater inspection technologies for smarter lock maintenance by identifying practical solutions that can operate in real-world underwater conditions and help engineers detect structural issues while infrastructure remains submerged and in service.
Phases & Prizes
The challenge consists of two phases:
- Phase 1: Application Submission
- Participants must submit applications describing their technology and capabilities.
- Due Date: June 12, 2026, at 8 PM ET.
- Up to eight finalists will be selected, each receiving a $10,000 prize and advancing to Phase 2.
- Phase 2: Live Demonstration Event
- Finalists will demonstrate their technology at a designated lock site in July 2026, ahead of a scheduled dewatering inspection.
- The Grand Prize winner of the Demonstration Event will receive $150,000.
Key Details
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Challenge)
- Department/Agency: Department of Defense / Department of the Army / U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Published Date: June 2, 2026
Contact & Resources
- Primary Contact: Expedition Hacks (submerged@expeditionhacks.com)
- Additional Resources: A Slack workspace is available for team formation and questions: https://bit.ly/4nLKwPT.