Contracting Officer, USCG, Civil Engineering Unit Providence, 300 Metro Center Blvd., Warwick, RI 02886-1747

Z -- MAINTENANCE DREDGING, USCG STATION GLOUCESTER, MA SOL DTCGG1-96-B-3WK360 DUE 082296 POC Susan Hetrick, Contracting Officer (401)736-1763; Fax (401) 736-1704 PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE: Contractor shall provide all labor, equipment, materials, transportation, and supervision necessary for maintenance dredging of approximately 600 cubic yards of material from a mooring basin and boat hoist area located at U.S. Coast Guard Station Gloucester, MA. The cost of this project is between $100,000 and $250,000. SIC code is 1629. Solicitation packages to be available on or about 23 July 1996. Packages may be obtained by submitting a written request, with a non-refundable check for $20 (payable to U.S. Coast Guard) to U. S. Coast Guard, CEU Providence, 300 Metro Center Blvd., Warwick, RI 02886 attn: Susan Hetrick. Requests will be honored until supply is exhausted. The bid opening date will be on or about 22 August 1996. This project is issued pursuant to the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program, and is unrestricted. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED TO ASSIST MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED, AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES: The Dept of Transportation (DOT) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) has programs to assist minority, women-owned and disadvantaged business enterprises to acquire short-term working capital and bonding assistance for transportation-related contracts. This is applicable to any eligible prime or subcontract at any tier. The DOT Bonding Assistance Program enables firms to apply for bid, payment and performance bonds up to $1.0 million per contract. The DOT provides an 80% guaranty on the bond amount to a surety against losses. Loans are available under the DOT Short-term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The max. line of credit is $500,000. For further information regarding these programs, call the DOT OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. For information concerning this acquisition, contact the Contracting Official listed above. (0185)

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