Contracting Officer, U. S. Coast Guard, Civil Engineering Unit Miami, 909 S.E. First Ave., Rm 651, Miami, Florida 33131-3050

Z -- REPLACE WATER LINES AND VALVES, USCG MARINE SAFETY OFFICE, HOUSTON - GALVESTON, TEXAS SOL DTCG82-96-B-3WCA38 DUE 051496. Contact Point, Judy Stamper, (305) 536-4590. This project includes furnishing of all labor, supervision, materials and equipment to remove existing domestic water piping, water heater and service sink in the Galley/Mess Building, and main underground water cutoff valves; and provide new domestic water piping system, underground valves and connections to existing. Estimated cost range is between $25,000.00 and $100,000.00. Bid guarantee and payment 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 #305-536-7403). 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. (092)

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