Maintenance Dredging of the Isle au Haut Thoroughfare near Isle au Haut, Maine
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.ENGINEER DIVISION NORTH ATLANTIC.ENDIST NEW ENGLAND.W2SD ENDIST NEW ENGLAND · Response deadline: Mon, 02 Nov 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District is soliciting bids for maintenance dredging of the Isle au Haut Thoroughfare near Isle au Haut, Maine. This is a waterway maintenance project under the Corps' civil works navigation program.
Maintenance dredging involves removing accumulated sediment from existing navigation channels to restore authorized depths and widths. The Isle au Haut Thoroughfare is a coastal waterway in Penobscot Bay that serves as critical marine access for the island community and regional maritime traffic. Dredging work of this type typically includes mobilization of equipment, mechanical or hydraulic excavation of material, material transport, and placement at approved disposal sites in compliance with environmental permits.
Given the set-aside and NAICS code, see the solicitation for specific quantities, dredge material volumes, disposal site requirements, and any environmental restrictions that would affect equipment selection or project sequencing.
Key facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | W912WJ27BA003 |
| NAICS | 237990 — Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction |
| Set-aside | Small Business Set Aside - Total |
| Response deadline | November 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET |
| Place of performance | See the solicitation |
Who can bid
Only small business concerns certified as such in SAM.gov may bid. The contract is entirely set aside for small business under FAR 19.502-2. Your business must qualify as small under NAICS 237990 size standards (see the solicitation for the applicable revenue-based threshold).
Given this is a total small business set-aside, the winning contractor may not subcontract to large businesses in a way that violates the limitations on subcontracting (typically 50% for construction). Joint ventures are permitted if structured under SBA rules, and mentors under the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program may participate with defined restrictions.
Eligibility requires active SAM.gov registration with current representations and certifications, including small business size status. Construction contractors must maintain applicable bonding capacity and safety qualifications.
How to put together a competitive bid
Equipment and capability documentation. Dredging solicitations typically require detailed marine equipment lists, crew qualifications, and past performance on similar waterway projects. Specify dredge types (clamshell, cutter suction, trailing suction hopper) and demonstrate capacity to work in tidal, environmentally sensitive conditions.
Environmental compliance proposals. Maine coastal dredging requires adherence to state water quality certifications, Corps permits, and often National Marine Fisheries Service consultation. Your technical proposal should address turbidity controls, timing windows to protect marine life, and disposal site management compatible with Maine Department of Environmental Protection requirements.
Understanding Corps bidding conventions. Army Corps construction solicitations use unit pricing with additive alternates or lump sum structures. Review line items carefully — mobilization/demobilization, dredged material measured in cubic yards, dewatering if applicable, and disposal transport distances significantly affect cost.
Safety and maritime credentials. Demonstrate USCG-inspected vessels, crew certifications, and OSHA-compliant marine operations plans. EM 385-1-1 (USACE safety manual) compliance is mandatory.
Past performance references. Prior Corps dredging projects, or similar navigation maintenance for municipal or state ports in New England, strengthen proposals. Document on-time completion, environmental incident records, and any innovative approaches to material reuse or disposal.
Next steps
Read the complete solicitation package on SAM.gov using solicitation number W912WJ27BA003. The full documents will contain plans and specifications, quantities, disposal site information, wage determinations under the Davis-Bacon Act, and detailed evaluation factors.
Note the firm deadline: November 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time. Corps solicitations rarely accept late submissions. Allow time for SAM.gov technical issues, bonding arrangements, and any required pre-bid site visits or acquisition of addenda. Register for SAM.gov notifications on this solicitation to receive amendments automatically.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →