Modernizing inland waterway lock and dam infrastructure, ensuring safe commercial barge navigation along the Upper Mississippi River, and upgrading crucial river flow control systems, OCCI Inc. has been awarded a $14,121,862 firm-fixed-price contract. The civil works maintenance action finances the fabrication and delivery to replace nine Tainter gates for Lock 21 on the Mississippi River, reaching a total cumulative face value of $27,918,934 if all options are exercised.

Contract Details: At A Glance

District Context & Mission Impact

This major inland navigation infrastructure contract is administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rock Island District. The Rock Island District operates and maintains 20 locks and dams along 314 miles of the Upper Mississippi River, forming a crucial transportation corridor for American agricultural exports and bulk commodities. Lock and Dam 21 relies on heavy steel Tainter gates to control pool elevations and regulate water flow through the dam structure. Fabricating and replacing these massive radial steel gates restores structural integrity, prevents mechanical failures during high-water events, and ensures reliable, uninterrupted commercial barge traffic through late summer 2031.

Contractor Spotlight & Industry Context

Headquartered in Fulton, Missouri, OCCI Inc. is a specialized heavy civil marine and steel contractor known for complex bridge construction, dam rehabilitation, and heavy steel fabrication for federal agencies. Bids were solicited via the internet with six competitive proposals received. Fabricating major lock Tainter gates requires specialized structural steel welding, precision mechanical machining, complex trunnion pin alignment, protective marine anti-corrosion coatings, and heavy transportation logistics to deliver multi-ton steel structures directly to Mississippi River lock facilities. Partnering experienced heavy steel fabricators with USACE river engineering teams safeguards vital midwestern navigation infrastructure.