Physical Model Testing Facility for Dredged Material

Overview

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) is developing a physical-model testing facility to support the testing and improvement of dredged-material placement methods and technologies. ERDC is seeking input from industry, universities, small businesses, technology developers, research organizations, and other interested groups on anticipated use, desired capabilities, and factors that may affect future use. Located in Vicksburg, MS, the facility will provide a controlled setting to test and evaluate dredged-material placement and beneficial-use construction methods before field use.

Problem Statement

Building on its extensive expertise in sediment management, dredging, and related research and development, ERDC is evaluating opportunities to enhance testing and evaluation capabilities for validating and comparing technologies and processes that support the containment, placement, and distribution of dredged material. With a clear understanding of industry demand, potential users, operational requirements, and priority use cases, ERDC can determine the feasibility and sustainability of a dedicated testing and evaluation facility, while ensuring the facility delivers long-term value.

Project Manager

Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL), U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to develop a physical-model testing capability at ERDC in Vicksburg, MS, for evaluating dredged-material placement methods, construction tools, and related technologies in a controlled setting. ERDC is seeking stakeholder input on expected facility use, priority testing needs, required equipment and support, preferred access and scheduling, safety and security needs, potential benefits, and any barriers that could limit use of the facility.

Requirements

Organizations responding to this assessment are requested to provide information regarding their anticipated use of the proposed dredged-material placement facility and the capabilities that would provide the greatest value to their organization.

The proposed physical-model facility is envisioned to include the following capabilities:

Approximate basin dimensions of 150 feet × 125 feet × 7 feet
Water fill rate of approximately 10–12 cubic feet per second
Slurry flow rate of approximately 8 cubic feet per second
Capability to simulate tides and other wetting and drying events
Two independent 25-cubic-yard sediment hoppers
Independent auger-feed capability
Capability to mix varying sand-to-silt ratios
Capability to produce slurry concentrations of approximately 10–20 percent by volume
An approximately 8-inch-diameter placement pipe

Potential study and demonstration areas may include, but are not limited to:

Material-containment and turbidity-control methods
New spray nozzles and material-delivery systems
Material-sorting techniques and equipment
Dewatering methods
Flow meters and instrumentation supporting Dredging Quality Management requirements
New monitoring methods and instrumentation
Buried-pipeline detection methods
Dredged-material placement techniques
Beneficial-use construction methods
Other technologies associated with dredging, sediment management, placement, monitoring, and construction

Estimated Government Funding Profile

This capability assessment is being conducted for information gathering and planning purposes only. Funding is not currently available for this project.

This project does not commit the government or ERDCWERX to pay any costs incurred in preparation of a response or guarantee a contract.

Evaluation Criteria

No competitive evaluation will be conducted.
Responses will be reviewed for informational and planning purposes only. ERDC may use information received to better understand potential demand, technical requirements, facility capabilities, operating considerations, anticipated use cases, and potential barriers to participation.
Submission of a response does not provide an advantage in any subsequent Government acquisition or other competitive opportunity.

The Government may contact respondents for clarification or invite them to participate in follow-on market research activities, such as discussions, webinars, or workshops, to inform next steps.

Notional Project Schedule

Proposed project milestones include:

September 16, 2026	Project Announced, Submissions Open
October 8, 2026	Question Period Ends
October 16, 2026	Submissions Close
October 2026	Review Period, Virtual Pitch Hosted (if needed)
November 2026	Virtual Workshop for Selected Participants

*Dates may vary to accommodate the project team and participant availability. The government may accelerate the pre-proposal review/feedback timeline, and therefore also require earlier delivery of full proposals.

How to Participate

Submit specific details by completing the submission form
Review FAQs
Once solution is ready to submit, complete the submission form

Questions: Please send all technical and administrative questions using this form. Q&A will be updated periodically. It is the responsibility of the offeror to review Q&A prior to submitting.