USACE issues solicitation for cutter suction head dredge for Azerbaijan

The Marine Design Center (MDC) of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has issued a solicitation to acquire a new, non-propelled, cutter suction head dredge. The project is being accomplished through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Navy. As part of the Department of Defense (DOD) Building Partnering Capacity (BPC), the U.S. Navy program includes the acquisition of one cutter suction head dredge for the Country of Azerbaijan. The MDC will execute the acquisition and contract administration for this project.

The contractor will be responsible for providing a fully functioning cutter suction head dredge. When complete, the new cutter suction head dredge will operate out of Astara, Azerbaijan to maintain the harbor depth and harbor entrance.

The contract will be administered in three phases:

Phase I – Planning, Scheduling & Engineering
Phase II – Construction and Testing at Manufacturer’s Facility
Phase III – Assembly and Testing at the Final Destination

The maximum period for each phase will be:

Phase I – 120 days
Phase II – 270 days from the completion of Phase I
Phase III – 90 days from the arrival of the dredge at the final destination

Each phase will only begin after a written Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued to the contractor. Phases can be completed in less time than allowed by the contract.

The intention of Phase I is for the Government to review the dredge design and confirs it complies with the contact requirements. In addition, the schedule developed and provided by the contractor will allow the Government to plan for the necessary quality assurance work in order to minimize disruptions to the build schedule.

The intention of Phase II is for the contractor to build the vessel and demonstrate performance through successful testing at its facility. The contractor shall also be responsible for prepping and packaging for shipment the dredge and components, and all optional line items awarded.

The intention of Phase III is for the contractor to reassemble and reactivate the dredge at the final destination site in Azerbaijan. The contractor will demonstrate the full vessel performance with the dredge in the water during this phase. In addition, if the optional training line items are awarded, they will take place during this phase.

Vessel Performance Characteristics

The bottom material in the area of operation is sand and mud. The vessel will be able to dredge to a maximum depth of at least 20 feet.

At the maximum dredging depth, the vessel will be capable of discharging the dredge material through up to 3,500 feet of floating discharge pipe at sea level. For pump sizing purposes, the discharge pipe size will match the discharge end pipe of the dredge.

The dredge design is intended to be based on a commercially available transportable dredge. The primary characteristics are:

Hull Length: Approx. 60 feet
Hull Width: Approx. 12 feet

The hull will be designed with a lifting eye system to lift the dredge hull, and a second lifting eye system to lift the ladder. Lifting slings for the ladder are acceptable. A lifting plan for the hull and for the ladder will be provided.

The vessel willl be designed in accordance with the latest edition and interpretations of the rules, regulations, requirements and standards of the Legislation, Regulatory Agencies, and technical organizations listed as follows or as stipulated in each respective specification clause:

Hull Structural Design

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) “Rules for Building and Classing Steel Vessels for Service on Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways

All materials used in the construction of the hull and ladder shall be ABS Grade A or ASTM A36.

The vessel’s design shall demonstrate in all loading conditions adequate intact and damage stability standards as follows:

Intact Stability: comply with 46 CFR 170.170 and 46 CFR 170.173 (for protected routes)

Damage Stability: with any one compartment damaged and flooded, the vessel shall remain upright, with a metacentric height (GM) of at least 3 inches, and the deck edge above the equilibrium waterline.

Dredge Pump

The dredge pump will be sized to meet the performance requirements listed in Part 3. The suction side shall be 10″ or 12″ diameter, and the discharge side shall be 10″. Impeller shall, be three vane, to maximize spherical clearance through the pump. Cleanout(s) access shall be provided for the pump and impeller.

Pump performance shall be at least 3,800 GPM at 200 foot (water column) head.

At the maximum dredging depth, the vessel will be capable to discharging the dredge material through up to 3,500 feet of floating discharge pipe at sea level.

The impeller will be attached in such a manner as to allow removal through the suction-side head. A lifting hook will be provided for removing the impeller.

The dredge pump will have a gland flushing system that provides raw water to the dredge pump gland and the suction line valve .

Dredge Ladder & Ladder Hoist

Ladder length shall be sufficient for full production dredging at 20 foot water depth.

A hydraulic powered cutterhead shall be provided. Cutterhead shall be minimum 40 HP. The cutterhead wi;\l be removable to facilitate repair, maintenance and replacement. The cutterhead will have a minimum of three blades, with replaceable teeth.

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