Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Office of Acquisition, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Rm., 7310, Washington, DC 20590

V -- LAYBERTHING SERVICES FOR TWO READY RESERVE FORCE VESSELS ON THE U.S. CENTRAL ATLANTIC COAST DTMA91-96-B-00006 DUE 062896. Contact Point, Ben Burnowski, (202) 366-1932. The Maritime Administration proposes to procure by sealed bidding layberthing services for two vessels on the U.S. Central Atlantic Coast between North Carolina and Baltimore, MD. The period of performance is one year with four one-year options. An invitation for bids (IFB) will be issued on or about May 28, 1996. Bid opening will be held on or about June 28, 1996. Copies of IFB DTMA91-96-B-00006 may be requested in writing from Rilla Gaither (tel (202) 366-1714), DOT/Maritime Administration, MAR-380, Office of Acquisition, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Rm. 7310, Washington, DC 20590. All responsible sources may submit a bid which will be considered by the Maritime Administration. THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES FOR MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: 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 price interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $500,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. For information concerning the acquisition contract the contracting official listed above. (135)

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