"They are still under review. I can't discuss what's in them or the amount," said corps spokesman Ed Voigt. The bids are good for 60 days, he said.

The federal government has allocated $4.9 million for the first leg of the beach fill. This part of the project will place sand on beaches starting at East Bergen Avenue and continuing north for three blocks. The borough has collected enough easements from homeowners in this section of the borough to begin the project. The easements were required for the corps to gain access to beachfront homeowners' properties.

Last month, Mayor Jonathan Oldham said, the section of beach that will be replenished with the $4.9 million is the borough's most vulnerable area.

Tuesday, Oldham said, he heard news of the two bids that have been returned to the corps. "I've heard through a third party that, yes, the bids were high - more than what we have to pay for the project," Oldham said. Oldham hopes the project will begin later this fall.