Competitive bidding

46 U.S.C. § 57512

• Title: 46 — Shipping
• Chapter: SUBCHAPTER II—CHARTERS

Text

(a) In General.—The Secretary of Transportation may charter a vessel of the Department of Transportation to a private operator only on the basis of competitive sealed bidding. The bids must be submitted in strict compliance with the terms and conditions of a public advertisement soliciting the bids.
(b) Advertisement for Bids.—An advertisement for bids shall state—
(1) the number, type, and tonnage of the vessels being offered for bareboat charter for operation as a steamship line on a designated trade route;
(2) the minimum number of sailings required;
(3) the length of time of the charter;
(4) the right of the Secretary to reject all bids; and
(5) other information the Secretary considers necessary for the information of prospective bidders.
(c) Opening of Bids.—Bids required under this section shall be opened at the time and place stated in the advertisement for bids. All interested persons, including representatives of the press, shall be permitted to attend. The results of the bidding shall be publicly announced.

History

(Pub. L. 109–304, §8(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1666.)

Editorial Notes

Subsection (b)(4) is substituted for "announce in his advertisements for bids that the Secretary of Transportation reserves the right to, reject any and all bids submitted" in 46 App. U.S.C. 1196(b) to improve the organization.
In subsection (c), the words "Bids required under this section" are substituted for "All bids required by the Secretary of Transportation . . . and for the chartering of the Secretary's vessels hereinafter provided for" to eliminate unnecessary words. The word "hour" is omitted as covered by "time".