Executive Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division (MVD) runs a Commercial Solutions Opening for navigation and flood-risk technology. Companies of any size can send a 3-page solution brief at any time until 5:00 p.m. EST, May 31, 2027. No funding amount is posted.
The CSO (W912P926SC001) is a two-step process: MVD reviews solution briefs, invites selected companies to answer questions and pitch, then issues a request for proposal. Awards are firm-fixed-price commercial contracts. MVD says the areas of interest "generally have no known funding specifically available", so a selected brief may wait for funding.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division (contracting through the St. Louis District)
- Opportunity: Mississippi Valley Division Civil Works Areas of Interest Commercial Solutions Openings
- Number: W912P926SC001
- Authority: Commercial Solutions Opening, 10 U.S.C. 3458 and DFARS 212.70
- Funding: No amount posted. Individual requirements, if issued, will each state a funding profile.
- Award type: Firm-fixed-price contracts treated as commercial
- Due date: Rolling, through 5:00 p.m. EST, May 31, 2027
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the May 31, 2027 deadline.
What Is the MVD Civil Works CSO?
It is an open, year-long call that lets the Mississippi Valley Division buy innovative commercial products, technologies and services, including research and development, for its Civil Works mission. Solutions do not need to be on the market yet.
What Problem Is USACE Trying to Solve?
MVD operates locks, dams, channels and flood protection across the Mississippi River basin. Inspecting structures above and below water, keeping channels at authorized depth and protecting communities from floods are slow and costly with today's methods.
Priority Capability Areas: What USACE Is Looking For
- Channel maintenance: keeping authorized channel dimensions
- Repair materials and methods: for navigation structures
- Imaging: above-water and below-water imaging of navigation structures
- Subsurface detection: locating objects buried under waterways
- Sedimentation modeling: predicting sediment in navigable waterways
- Project delivery: navigation and flood risk management project delivery
- Dry floodproofing: multi-use deployable barriers, not sandbags or HESCO units
Eligibility
- Who can apply: full and open competition, no small-business set-aside, so startups and small companies can submit.
- Registration: an active SAM.gov registration; the address on the brief must match it.
- Content: no classified or proprietary information in the brief.
- Cost share: none stated.
How to Apply
- Pick one area of interest your solution fits.
- Write a solution brief of up to 3 pages (12-point Arial, PDF under 20 MB): the solution and mission impact, how it fits the area of interest, evidence of innovation and commercialization, and a rough order of magnitude price.
- Email it to both contracting points of contact named in the CSO on SAM.gov.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Review: companies not selected are generally told within 30 days.
- Selected briefs: may lead to email questions, a virtual pitch and then a request for proposal.
- No funding yet: a selected brief may be kept on file for up to 3 years.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with sonar, underwater or aerial imaging, sensing, modeling, materials or deployable barrier products that can work on locks, dams, levees and river channels. It is a contract route, not a grant, so a clear price and a product path matter.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For commercial solutions openings like the MVD CSO, we help you:
- Pick the area of interest where your product scores best
- Write a 3-page solution brief that leads with mission impact
- Build a defensible rough order of magnitude price
- Prepare for the follow-up questions and pitch
- Respond to the request for proposal if you are selected
Plan Your USACE MVD Solution Brief
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a deadline?
Solution briefs are accepted on a rolling basis through 5:00 p.m. EST, May 31, 2027.
How much funding is available?
No amount is posted. MVD says the areas of interest generally have no known funding specifically available; any later requirement will state its own funding profile.
Can a startup apply?
Yes. The CSO is full and open competition with no set-aside. You need an active SAM.gov registration.
Does my product need to be on the market?
No. Solutions do not need to be commercially available yet, and research and development is in scope.
How long is the solution brief?
Up to 3 pages, 12-point Arial, as a PDF under 20 MB, including a rough order of magnitude price.
What kind of award is it?
Firm-fixed-price contracts treated as commercial, not grants.
How fast will I hear back?
Companies that are not selected are generally notified within 30 days.
Can BW&CO help with an MVD CSO submission?
Yes. We can help you choose the area of interest, write the solution brief and price it. Book a call with our team.