2026-009 RFQ for Galveston Harbor and Channel Section 216 Study

The Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves is requesting Statements of Qualifications from Architect-Engineer firms to conduct a Section 216 Review of Completed Project Study for the Galveston Harbor and Channel Federal Navigation Project, with SOQs due August 19, 2026 and a pre-submission conference on August 5, 2026 at the Port offices in Galveston.

This is a qualifications-based procurement with no guaranteed quantity, structured as a single award with phased task authorizations across three phases ending January 31, 2028. The Port will prepare the study for review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works under Section 203 and Section 216 authority of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986.

The scope encompasses feasibility-level engineering analyses, approximately 35 percent design of the recommended alternative, complete environmental documentation and NEPA coordination, and a comprehensive Federal submission package. The study will evaluate structural and non-structural alternatives to reduce sedimentation, maintenance dredging requirements, and Federal Operations and Maintenance costs while improving navigation reliability and safety. The Port currently removes approximately 2.5 million cubic yards of dredged material annually at a Federal cost of approximately $25 million per year.

Required experience includes Section 216 and Section 203 studies, deep-draft navigation projects, HarborSym economic modeling, hydrodynamic numerical modeling, sediment transport analysis, Federal environmental compliance, and accelerated study execution. The evaluation committee weights relevant experience and qualifications at 30 percent, project team and key personnel qualifications at 25 percent, technical approach and study understanding at 20 percent, accelerated schedule execution strategy at 15 percent, and Federal coordination and quality management capabilities at 10 percent.

No pricing information is required in submissions. Questions are due August 7, 2026. Short-listed respondents may be interviewed August 26, 2026. Sealed electronic submissions are due by 2:00 PM Central Time through the Port's e-Procurement portal at https://portofgalveston.bonfirehub.com.