INDEFINITE DELIVERY INDEFINITE QUANTITY CONTRACT FOR INLAND AND COASTAL VESSELS ENGINEERING SERVICES, NAVAL ARCHITECTURE, AND MARINE ENGINEERING
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.ENGINEER DIVISION NORTH ATLANTIC.ENDIST PHILADELPHIA.W2SD ENDIST PHILADELPHIA · Response deadline: Fri, 06 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
This is a combined synopsis and solicitation for an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract to provide engineering services for inland and coastal vessels. The scope covers three core disciplines: general engineering services for vessels, naval architecture, and marine engineering.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District is seeking a small business to perform this work. IDIQ contracts establish a master agreement with no guaranteed minimum—task orders are issued as specific needs arise over the contract period. This structure is common for specialized technical services where the government cannot predict exact volumes but needs rapid access to qualified expertise.
Naval architecture and marine engineering typically involve vessel design, stability analysis, structural assessment, propulsion system design, and modifications to existing craft. For inland and coastal vessels, this work supports the Corps of Engineers' fleet of waterway maintenance and construction vessels operating on rivers, harbors, and near-shore environments.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District |
| Notice type | Combined Synopsis/Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | W912BU26RA036 |
| NAICS | 541330 |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside – Total |
| Response deadline | November 6, 2026, 12:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | See the solicitation |
NAICS 541330 is Engineering Services, a category encompassing firms that apply physical laws and principles of engineering in designing, developing, and utilizing machines, materials, instruments, structures, processes, and systems.
Who can bid
This opportunity is set aside exclusively for small businesses under SBA size standards for NAICS 541330. The current size standard for this code is $25.5 million in average annual receipts over three years.
To qualify, you must:
- Be a small business by SBA size standards
- Have active SAM.gov registration
- Hold any required professional engineering licenses for states where work may be performed
- Demonstrate relevant experience in marine/naval engineering, vessel design, or similar watercraft projects
The Corps often evaluates technical capability heavily for marine engineering work, given the safety-critical nature of vessel operations and the specialized knowledge required.
How to put together a competitive bid
Highlight vessel-specific experience. General engineering credentials are necessary but insufficient. Emphasize completed projects involving inland or coastal vessels, Corps of Engineers craft, or comparable government or commercial marine projects. Include names of vessels, types of analyses performed, and regulatory bodies involved (U.S. Coast Guard, ABS, etc.).
Staffing plan matters. Identify marine engineers, naval architects, and structural engineers with directly relevant experience. The Corps typically evaluates personnel qualifications as a technical factor. Certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in naval architecture or marine engineering strengthen proposals significantly.
Demonstrate surge capacity. IDIQ contracts require the ability to respond to task order requests within defined timeframes. Show how your firm can scale resources for urgent vessel casualties or seasonal maintenance windows.
Past performance documentation. Obtain and include CPARS or other government past performance ratings. The Corps places weight on demonstrated reliability with federal marine projects.
Pricing strategy. IDIQ proposals require competitive ceiling rates since actual task order values are unknown. Analyze comparable Corps engineering contracts to benchmark labor rates for marine engineering disciplines.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number W912BU26RA036. The notice was posted October 19, 2026, with proposals due November 6, 2026 at 12:00 PM Eastern Time. Confirm all submission requirements, evaluation factors, and any amendments to this solicitation before preparing your response.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →