Sandbridge Beach Erosion and Hurricane Protection Beach Renourishment Project
DEPT OF DEFENSE.DEPT OF THE ARMY.US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS.ENGINEER DIVISION NORTH ATLANTIC.ENDIST NORFOLK.W2SD ENDIST NORFOLK · Response deadline: Fri, 02 Oct 2026
What the government is buying
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District is soliciting bids for the Sandbridge Beach Erosion and Hurricane Protection Beach Renourishment Project. This is a civil works construction contract focused on coastal storm risk management.
Beach renourishment projects typically involve dredging sand from offshore borrow areas or inlet sources and pumping it onto eroded beaches to restore beach width and elevation. This work provides dual benefits: recreational beach preservation and structural protection for coastal infrastructure against storm surge and wave action. The Corps of Engineers frequently executes these projects under congressionally authorized shore protection programs in partnership with local cost-sharing sponsors.
Given the NAICS code, this contract likely encompasses heavy construction activities including dredging, beach placement, potential construction of temporary pipelines, environmental compliance measures, and post-construction surveying. Sandbridge Beach is located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, an area with documented chronic erosion and significant coastal development exposure. The hurricane protection framing indicates this project may tie to post-storm recovery or recurring maintenance of an existing federal shore protection project.
Key facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District |
| Notice type | Solicitation |
| Solicitation number | W9123626BA011 |
| NAICS | 237990 — Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction |
| Set-aside | None (unrestricted competition) |
| Response deadline | October 2, 2026, 2:00 PM EDT |
| Place of performance | see the solicitation |
Who can bid
This is an unrestricted solicitation with no small business set-aside. Large and small businesses may compete, including:
- Large dredging contractors with fleet capacity for offshore borrow area operations
- Small heavy/civil construction firms capable of subcontracting or partnering for specialized dredging work
- Joint ventures between construction, environmental, and marine contractors
Small businesses in NAICS 237990 should note the 500-employee size standard but recognize that beach renourishment projects require substantial bonding capacity, specialized marine equipment, and demonstrated experience with Corps of Engineers specifications. The absence of a set-aside means price and technical capability will drive award; socioeconomic preferences like SDVOSB or HUBZone do not apply unless evaluated as non-price factors.
Firms without direct dredging assets may still compete through strategic subcontracting arrangements or as members of contractor teams.
How to put together a competitive bid
Understand Corps of Engineers contract structure. Norfolk District uses standard FAR-based construction contracting with specifications likely referencing EM 1110-2-5025 (Dredging and Dredged Material Management) and local district standards. See the solicitation for precise specification references.
Dredging capability documentation is critical. Evaluate whether your firm owns, has lined up, or can credibly subcontract cutterhead or hopper dredge equipment capable of working offshore Virginia. The government will evaluate plant suitability, production rates, and crew experience.
Analyze the borrow source and sand quality requirements. Beach-compatible sand specifications are stringent. Request the geotechnical data package during the Q&A period; bids must account for extensive testing, potential source rejection, and alternate source mobilization.
Environmental compliance burden. Norfolk District projects typically require sea turtle and marine mammal observers, seasonal work windows, turbidity monitoring, and Endangered Species Act consultation conditions. Price these compliance costs explicitly; they often exceed 10% of direct construction costs.
Bonding and insurance. Expect requirements for performance and payment bonds at 100% of bid price, plus Corps-tailored builder's risk and pollution liability coverage.
Pricing strategy. Dredging is equipment-intensive with high mobilization/demobilization costs. Unit prices for beach fill placement are typically the dominant line item. Review similar Corps bid tabs for quantity risk allocation; see the solicitation for whether estimated quantities are fixed or variable.
Past performance. The Corps weights recent comparable projects heavily. Prepare detailed narratives of completed renourishment or dredging work, especially for Norfolk District or mid-Atlantic coastal locations.
Next steps
Read the full solicitation at SAM.gov using solicitation number W9123626BA011. The response deadline of October 2, 2026 at 2:00 PM EDT leaves limited time for equipment mobilization planning, subcontractor negotiations, and site familiarization—begin immediately. Download all technical drawings, geotechnical reports, and draft contract clauses. Consider attending any pre-bid conference or site visit announced in the full solicitation, as coastal project conditions change seasonally. Submit questions through the designated SAM.gov Q&A process well before the deadline to allow adequate response time for complex technical or pricing issues.
View the official notice on SAM.gov →