Contracting Officer, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil Engineering Unit Miami, 909 S.E. First Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050

Z -- TWO NAVIGATIONAL RANGE LIGHT TOWERS SHIP ISLAND PASS, MISSISSIPPI SOL DTCG82-95-B-3WCA31. DUE 052595. Contact point: Shirley Clayton (305) 536-4133. This project includes all labor, material, and equipment to fabricate and install two (2) offshore light structures. Estimated range is between $500,000.00 and $1,000,000.00. Bid guarantee, payment and performance bonds are required. This solicitation is being issued pursuant to Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program. All responsible sources may submit a bid, which will be considered by this agency. No telephone requests; only written requests received directly from the requester will be accepted. (Fax #305-546-7403). For Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department 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, performance and payment 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 also 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 Bonding Assistance Program and/or the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. (097)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0135 19950411\Z-0012.SOL)