Corps Awards $15.4M Dredging Contract to Arkansas Firm
A White Hall, Ark. dredging contractor will keep a dredge on call around the clock for Mississippi River maintenance work.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Construction
The New Orleans Engineer District has awarded a $15,419,322 firm-fixed-price contract action to a White Hall, Ark. dredging contractor for Mississippi River dustpan maintenance dredging. The award was announced November 5, 2026, and requires a dredge on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Why it matters
Sediment builds up in shallow stretches of the Lower Mississippi, and recurring dredging keeps crossings at authorized depths for river traffic. The Corps cited federal sole-source authority, stating only one responsible source could meet its requirements for the work.
The award totals $15,419,322 against an underlying contract ceiling of roughly $108.4 million, with one bid received. Specific work locations and funding will be set through individual task orders issued under the contract.
The players
New Orleans Engineer District
The New Orleans District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages navigation maintenance on the Lower Mississippi River and issued the award.
The details
The contract falls under W912P8-25-D-0001, a single-award indefinite-delivery contract for Mississippi River dustpan dredging, and requires a fully crewed, self-propelled dredge with barges, survey boat, tenders and at least 1,000 feet of floating pontoon pipeline. The latest action carries an estimated completion date of November 6, 2027.
Timeline
July 2024: The Corps announced its intent to negotiate under federal sole-source authority.
Late 2024: The underlying contract was awarded, with ordering open through November 5, 2029.
January 2025: A roughly $16.5 million continuous-dredging order was awarded.
November 5, 2026: The $15.4 million award was announced.
November 6, 2027: Estimated completion date of the latest action.
Construction Pipeline
The award follows the Corps' July 2024 notice of intent to negotiate under federal sole-source authority, extending a single-contractor arrangement for Mississippi River dustpan dredging. It signals the agency's reliance on a small number of specialized dredge operators to keep the channel navigable.
Recurring dredging keeps Mississippi River crossings at authorized depths, which supports barge and shipping traffic that moves goods through the region. Task orders issued under the contract will determine which river stretches receive dredging work in coming months.
The takeaway
Federal dredging maintenance relies on a small pool of specialized contractors, so single-award contracts like this one can shape how quickly shoaling is addressed. Readers tracking river shipping or infrastructure spending should watch future task orders for location and funding details.
Further reading
Explore more construction industry coverage for related federal infrastructure contracts.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Waterways Journal.
