Commandant (G-ACS), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001

A -- TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE TO THE SHIP STRUCTURE COMMITTEE (SSC) SOL DTCG23-97-R-EO1022 DUE 040497 POC Contract Specialist: Cheryl Rice, (202) 267-6994 / Contracting Officer: L. Scott Palmer, (202) 267-2489 The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) is the Chair agency of the Ship Structure Committee (SSC), which is a cooperative committee consisting of members from the Naval Sea Systems Command, Military Sealift Command, Maritime Administration, American Bureau of Shipping andTransport Canada. The SSC is charted to collaborate on common-interest research programs to determine how marine structures can be improved for greater safety and better performance without adverse economic effect. These programs address the general fields of materials, design, fabrication, and inspection as related to marine structures. To accomplish its mission, the SSC requires a consortium of academic and industrial expertise to provide: (1) technical programmatic projections, reviews, recommendations and advice in developing a continuing intergovernmental research; (2) analysis of long-range research needs and alternatives for responding to those needs; (3) identification of specific objectives to which the research program for the improvement of marine structures should be directed based on state-of-the-art technological advancements and other research programs; (4) assessment of research project planning; (5) technical summaries of research and related information in the field of marine structures; (6) participation in the SSC proposal evaluation meetings for the purpose of providing clarification of technical issues; (7) conduct project reviews through individual project and combined project advisory meetings to assess the SSC's research program; and (8) convene experts to present papers and hold discussions on specific areas of research as directed by the SSC; and (9) technical and liaison interfaces in the above areas of activity to aid in the effective operation and coordination of the SSC. The recommendations and assessments shall be contained in a yearly report. Quarterly progress reports resulting from this effort shall be prepared and distributed to sponsor, committee members, and to other relevant parties. Interested firms should submit a statement of interest and capabilities, including information on past experience with any related studies and/or suggesting, in general terms, the approach which might be taken and identifying what information might be needed. The Government will review all statements of interest and capabilities submitted to determine market availability of capable firms. Written responses must be received within 15 days from the date of publication and shall be addressed to: Commandant (G-ACS-2B/CSR/5222), U.S. Coast Guard, 2100 Second Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20593-0001. This is not an invitation nor a request for competitive proposals. An award is not intended on the basis of any response to this advertisement. Telephone inquiries/responses will not be accepted and the USCG will not pay for information submitted. Telephonic verification of information submitted will not be honored. This Notice is for information purposes for Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOW), 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, call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. For information concerning the acquisition, contact the contracting official listed above. (0073)

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