Holt and Okatibbee Industry Day.pdf

This document is an industry day presentation for the Holt and Okatibbee FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) Bulkhead Fabrication contract opportunity. The presentation, conducted on September 30, 2026, by Tetra Tech and Axcess Infrastructure, outlines two federal dam projects requiring FRP bulkhead fabrication and supply. The Okatibbee Dam project (impounding the Okatibbee River in Mississippi) requires a 4' 2" wide by 12' 1" tall by 6-3/4" deep FRP bulkhead designed for a 49-foot head, featuring through-bolted lifting connections, J-bulb seals, UHMW guides, through-bolted cams, and a 3" flap valve for pressure equalization. The Holt Dam project (impounding the Black Warrior River in Alabama) requires a larger 14' 1-1/4" wide by 13' 4-1/2" tall bulkhead with variable depth (18" or 1' 11") designed for a 91-foot head, including through-bolted lifting connections and dogging pockets, J-bulb face seals, hollow center dome bottom seal, UHMW guides, and leaf springs for locating.

The contract scope includes bulkhead design provided by the government (FRP body, bolted components, sealing hardware, guides, and rigging), with contractors responsible for material and fabrication validation including sealed calculations, specified layup, and layup/adhesive testing against specified values, along with delivery and record as-fabricated drawings. The solicitation is targeted for 2027 Q2, with draft documents distributed for industry feedback on design strategy regarding laminate specification, design validation testing methods, and specifications clarity for bidding and construction feasibility. Interested parties should submit feedback to James DeFalco, P.E. at James.A.DeFalco@usace.army.mil. The presentation also identifies eight additional anticipated FY27 solicitations (October 2026–September 2027) for related FRP composite gate and bulkhead projects at various U.S. Army Corps of Engineers locations.