J -- MAINTENANCE/SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR POLARIS VISUAL BRIDGE AND INTEGRATED POWER PLANT SIMULATOR

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy intends to contract with Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems, Inc. of West Mystic, Connecticut, on a sole source basis for the maintenance/system support of its unique POLARIS Visual Bridge and Integrated Power Plant simulator. The contractor shall be required to develop a system support program, provide periodic maintenance, update system software and hardware as required and provide training to U.S. Merchant Marine Academy personnel. The initial period of performance shall be from 25 June 2002 through 30 September 2002, followed by four (4) one year renewable option years. Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems, Inc., owns all the proprietary hardware used throughout the site including Panels, Printed circuit Boards, Consoles and Software. In addition, Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems, Inc., owns the rights to the Octopus, POLARIS and Panorama software utilized by instructors/trainers to create training exercises as well as the enabling software rights required for producing coastlines, depth contour files, buoys, navigation aids, and the visual database images required for system database changes. Upgrades and software revisions for these systems are available only from Kongsberg Maritime Ship Systems, Inc. Interested parties must be able to demonstrate the ability to procure the required proprietary replacement parts and software updates. See Numbered Note 22. ATTENTION: Minority, Women-owned, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs)! The Department of Transportation (DOT), Short-Term Lending Program (STLP) offers working capital financing in the form of lines of credit to finance accounts receivable for transportation related contracts. Maximum line of credit is $500,000 with interest at the prime rate. For further information, call (800) 532-1169. Internet address: http://osdbuweb.dot.gov