USACE FY27 Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel Boliver to Redfish with Galveston Harbor Maintenance Dredging

Background
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston District has a requirement for maintenance dredging of the Galveston Entrance Channel and the adjoining Houston Ship Channel from Bolivar to Redfish, including Galveston Harbor.

This sources sought notice aims to gather information on the interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various industry members, particularly from the Small Business Community, including Small Business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, EDWOSB, and WOSB.

The estimated order of magnitude for this effort is between $25 million and $100 million.

Work Details
The project involves maintenance dredging utilizing a hopper dredge to clear historical shoaling within the Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel (HSC) Bolivar to Redfish Reach.

The scope includes advanced maintenance dredging in high-shoaling zones and incorporates newly added wedge areas in Galveston Harbor as part of base maintenance work. Standard disposal for all dredged material will be at the Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Site (ODMDS). Options may include dredging of the Galveston Harbor Shelves and beneficial use of dredged material for beach placement.

The contractor must provide Performance and Payment Bonds within 5 calendar days after award.

Period of Performance
The anticipated solicitation issuance date is on or about February 2027, with proposals due around March 2027 and an estimated award date in April 2027.

Place of Performance
Galveston County, Texas.

Bidder Requirements
Firms must provide Performance and Payment Bonds within 5 calendar days after award. They are required to furnish pre-award documents within 2 calendar days after bid opening. Contractors must demonstrate specialized experience in similar projects and provide documentation for up to five recent projects that meet qualification criteria.

Bonding capacity requirements include a bid bond of 20% of total bid amount and performance/payment bonds at 100% of the contract amount.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on prior award W912HY25C0002, awarded to Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co for FY25 Galveston Entrance Channel and Houston Ship Channel (Bolivar to Redfish) hopper dredging in Galveston/Chambers County, Texas (value $38,001,263). The described work—maintenance hopper dredging of the same channel reach with mobilization/demobilization and ODMDS disposal, along with sea turtle protection and monitoring—appears to be a continuation of the same dredging program and environmental protection approach.