Apex Marine Corp., as General Agent for Maritime Administration, 2001 Marcus Avenue, Suite N-215, Lake Success, NY 11042

J -- ACTIVATION / DOCK & SEA TRIALS / DEACTIVATIOM / REPAIRS ON S/S GULF SHIPPER AND S/S GULF MERCHANT SOL DTMA 93-96-B-55001. DUE 021396. Contact Raymond J. Hendricks, Contracting Officer, 516-775-6700. Activation / dock and sea trials / deactivation / various repairs to be conducted on two (2) ships GULF SHIPPER and GULF MERCHANT. Upon completion both ships to be returned to NDRF Beaumont, TX. Request copy of solicitation in writing on corporate letterhead only. Request may be faxed to 516-775-6784. Request must include following: company name, complete physical address, telephone number, facsimile number and name of contact person. The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), has a program to assist minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital assistance for transportation related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU (800) 532-1169. All responsible sources solicited may submit a bid which shall be considered by the agency. (362)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0011 19960102\J-0001.SOL)