U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, 7737 Hampton Boulevard, Building 4D, Room 211, Norfolk, VA 23505

J -- S.S. SOUTHERN CROSS, TRIP IN TOW FROM QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, MWRA PIER, AT THE QUINCY SHIP YARD TO THE JAMES RIVER RESERVE FLEET, FORT EUSTIS, VA SOL DTMA92-97-R-00182 DUE 072497 POC Milton G. Spears, (757) 441-3245, FAX: (757) 441-6080. Requirements include, trip in tow of the S.S. SOUTHERN CROSS, A C3-S-33A breakbulk cargo ship, 483.25' LOA x 68.0' breadth x 31.5' scantling draft; gross tonnage 9259.0; net tonnage 5530.0. Contractor shall survey, prepare, obtain regulatory clearances and authorizations, take custody of, secure and tow the vessel in a "cold" plant condition from its present location to the James River Reserve Fleet, Fort Eustis, VA. No telephone requests, only written and facsimile requests are acceptable. For Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT) 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 $500,000.00. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, please call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169. (0175)

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