Maintenance Dredging of New York Harbor, Sandy Hook Federal Navigation Channel

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, is soliciting sealed bids for maintenance dredging of the Sandy Hook Federal Navigation Channel in New York Harbor, with bids due August 18, 2026. The procurement is firm fixed-price, 100% unrestricted full and open competition, with an estimated project value of $4.73 million and a HUBZone price evaluation preference at 10 percent.

Place of performance is Highlands, New Jersey. The contract comprises four line items: mobilization and demobilization (lump sum), dredging, transportation, and placement of 177,130 cubic yards of material at the Sea Bright Offshore Borrow Area approximately 5 nautical miles offshore (unit price per cubic yard), black box monitoring (lump sum), and northeastern beach tiger beetle survey and translocation efforts (lump sum). The contractor shall begin work within 5 calendar days of notice to proceed and complete all work within 51 calendar days. Dredged material placement is capped at 6,000 cubic yards per scow load.

Technical specifications reference the 2017 Grain Size Analysis (Attachment J) and the Biological Opinion on the Sandy Hook Channel, which establishes seasonal restrictions, speed restrictions for vessels, real-time monitoring for protected marine species (North Atlantic right whale, sea turtles, Atlantic salmon), and immediate work stoppage if specified species appear within exclusion zones. NMFS Observers and Dredged Material Inspectors must be present on all towing vessels year-round; dragging is not permitted. The project must avoid paleochannels, maintain 250-foot separation from magnetic anomalies, and comply with National Park Service regulations for the Sandy Hook Gateway National Recreation Area.

Contractor responsibilities include pre-dredge surveys covering the entire impact area, beach fencing, and signage. Performance and payment bonds are required within 10 calendar days of award. A bid guarantee of 20 percent of bid price or $3,000,000.00, whichever is less, is required. The contract is subject to Davis-Bacon wage rates and Buy American construction materials provisions. Liquidated damages are $3,260.00 per calendar day of delay. Three amendments have been issued (effective August 6, 2026); bidders must acknowledge all amendments or face bid rejection. Four bids were received as of the August 19 posting date.