Yazoo Backwater Pumping Plant - Industry Day No. 1
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 US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is hosting an Industry Day for the Yazoo Backwater Pumping Plant project to gather industry input for design and acquisition planning. This event, held on April 23, 2026, seeks qualified contractors for three potential construction contracts, including a $1B+ pumping plant construction. This is a market research effort, and a future solicitation schedule will be established later.
Purpose
This Special Notice announces an Industry Day to engage with industry partners and inform the design and acquisition strategy for the critical Yazoo Backwater Pumping Plant project. The USACE Vicksburg District is seeking input from capable contractors interested in performing significant heavy and civil engineering construction (NAICS 237990 - Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction).
Project Scope
The Yazoo Backwater Pumping Plant is designed as a 25,000 CFS facility to manage water levels in the Yazoo Backwater Area. The project, currently at 10% conceptual design, involves three potential construction contract opportunities:
- Inlet and Outlet Channel Excavation: Up to $50M, involving approximately 700,000 CY of excavation and channel armoring.
- Foundation & Site Development: Up to $100M, including clearing, grubbing, temporary/permanent site access, staging areas, and borrow area establishment.
- Pumping Plant Construction: Over $1B, encompassing the 25,000 CFS plant with 14 axial-flow pumps, 5000 HP electric motors, and a 75-ton overhead crane. This will be a pile-founded structure approximately 200 ft by 500 ft.
Acquisition Strategy Insights
The USACE is considering various acquisition approaches, including:
- Single Award Task Order Contracts (SATOCs) for Site Preparation/Foundation and Channel Excavation, potentially combined.
- A two-phase acquisition strategy for the Pumping Plant Construction, involving Pre-Qualification of Sources, Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) with stipends for design review, and a final competitive solicitation limited to pre-qualified firms.
Industry Input Sought
The RFI attached to this notice requests detailed feedback on:
- Corporate capabilities and past performance (comparable projects).
- Technical challenges such as site logistics (laydown areas, utilities, security), river transport needs (offloading, draft requirements), and efficient material delivery.
- Supply chain risks for long-lead items (structural steel, pumps, motors, concrete, crane) and mitigation strategies.
- Structuring work for incremental funding and feedback on proposed SATOC structures.
- The proposed two-phase acquisition strategy for the pumping plant.
Participation Details
The Industry Day will be held on April 23, 2026, at 9:00 A.M. CST at the USACE Vicksburg District Headquarters, with both in-person and virtual attendance options.
- Pre-registration: Complete the attached form and return to Kasey.T.Davis@usace.army.mil by April 21, 2026.
- One-on-One Sessions: Prime contractors can request individual sessions from April 27 to May 1, 2026, to provide input on designs and procurement planning. Registration for these sessions is on a first-come, first-serve basis and must be done by April 23, 2026, by emailing Kasey Davis. These sessions are not for general capability briefings.
- Written Responses: Submit responses to the list of questions by April 21, 2026, 2:00 PM Central Time to Kasey.T.Davis@usace.army.mil and Ellis.Screws@usace.army.mil.
Key Contacts
- Kasey Davis: Kasey.T.Davis@usace.army.mil
- R. Ellis Screws: Ellis.Screws@usace.army.mil