Maintenance Dredging of NY&NJ Channels, Raritan Bay Reaches Federal Navigation Project

The New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) proposes to perform maintenance dredging of New York and New Jersey Channels, Raritan Bay Reaches Federal Navigation Project to a depth of -35 feet Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW) plus 2 feet of allowable overdepth.

The proposed maintenance dredging would remove approximately 450,000 cubic yards (CY) of material from the critical shoal area with subsequent placement at the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS), approximately 5 miles east of Sandy Hook, New Jersey. The dredged material is expected to consist primarily of silt.

Based on the past dredging projects within the New York Harbor / New York and New Jersey Channels, and restrictions found in the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation / New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Water Quality Certificates, the proposed work can only be performed by utilizing a mechanical clamshell dredge with an environmental bucket.

Additionally, multiple ocean-going, bottom-dumping barges, tugboats and survey vessels will be needed to perform the work during the dredging and placement activities. The dredging and placement at the HARS would be required to meet all federal, state, and approved local criteria required by the government agencies having jurisdiction where the dredging and placement sites are located.

Once the contract is awarded, the contractor will be required to commence work within five (5) calendar days after the date of receipt of the Notice to Proceed and maintain an integrated production rate of at least 8,000 cubic yards per calendar day for the dredging and placement of the dredged material. The presence of the dredging equipment in the channel will impact ship traffic, and it is necessary to maintain this production rate while minimizing the duration of this impact.

The proposed work is anticipated to take place in the summer/fall of 2024. The work is estimated to cost between $5,000,000 and $10,000,000. Liquidated damages of $2,633.00 per calendar day of delay will be assessed to the contractor until all work under the contract is accepted as complete. This is an unrestricted procurement.