Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, Office of Acquisition, MAR-383, 400 7th St., SW, Rm. 7310, Washington, DC 20590

V -- LAYBERTHING SERVICES FOR THREE READY RESERVE FORCE VESSELS ON THE U.S. GULF COAST SOL DTMA91-96-B-00008 DUE 070996. Contact Point, Ben Burnowski, (202) 366-1932. The Maritime Administration proposes to procure by sealed bidding layberthing services for three vessels on the U.S. Gulf Coast. The period of performance is one year with four one-year options. An invitation for bids (IFB) will be issued on or about June 9, 1996. Bid opening will be held on or about July 9, 1996. Copies of IFB DTMA91-96-N-00008 may be requested in writing from Rilla Gaither (tel: (202) 366-1942), 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 ID FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES FOR MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business (OSDUB), 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 SOT 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. (138)

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