US Trade and Development Agency (TDA) Granted Projects

Neochim Energy Efficiency (200170045A) - TDA gave Neochim, a fertilizer company, a $254,000 grant for a feasibility study on its energy efficiency needs. This feasibility study opportunity will be competed through the Commerce Business Daily when the RFP package is available.

Dobroudja Basin Coal Bed Methane (200170043) - TDA awarded the University of Mining and Geology "St. Ivan Rilski" with a $244,800 grant to analyze the options of obtaining coal bed methane in the Dobroudja Basin. This project will be performed and cost shared by Raven Ridge Resources, Inc. of Grand Junction, CO.

Ellatsite Copper Mine Upgrade (200170042) - TDA provided the Ellatsite Copper Mine with a grant worth $346,000 to assess its modernization needs. This feasibility study opportunity will be competed through the Commerce Business Daily when the solicitation package is available.

Industrial Power Projects (200070055) - TDA awarded Bulgarian Energy Partners with a $340,000 grant for a feasibility study on several industrial power projects in Bulgaria. Wilton Interpower is conducting and cost sharing this feasibility study.

Motor Testing Equipment (200070062) - Under the SBDI program, TDA provided the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) a $1.073 million grant for the procurement of motor testing equipment. This equipment will improve the maintenance and operation of the BDZ's locomotives. CAM Industries, of Hanover PA was selected as Contractor.

Ground-Penetrating Radar (200070048A) - TDA is providing $107,270 to the General Roads Administration to procure ground-penetrating radar; this equipment will help assess the structural integrity of primarily roadways, bridge decks and other large concrete structures. Geophysical Survey Systems, Inc. of North Salem, NH, will supply the equipment.

Tractor-Trailers for the Port of Varna (200070047A) - TDA is providing $480,000 to procure tractor-trailers for the Black Sea Port of Varna; this equipment will help expedite container traffic between the port's two locales. Contractor selection is currently underway.

Bridge Inspection Platform (200070046A) - TDA is providing the General Roads Directorate $320,000 to procure a bridge inspection platform; this equipment will improve bridge safety inspections along Corridor 8.

Clearance Laser System (200070045A) - TDA is providing $300,000 to the Bulgarian State Railways to procure a clearance laser system; this equipment will help fast, high accuracy clearance measuring of railway tunnels and provide a reliable data source for maintaining railroad structures. Contractor selection is now underway.

National Cardiology Initiative (20007002B) - TDA provided the Ministry of Health with a $106,435 grant for a reverse trade mission, equipment demonstration and needs assessment of cardiology equipment in Bulgaria. Agilent Technologies Healthcare Solutions Group is undertaking and cost sharing this study.

Bulgargaz Gas Storage Facility (9970058) - TDA provided Bulgargaz with a grant of $276,000 for a feasibility study for an underground gas storage facility. The Sarkeys Energy Center of the University of Oklahoma led a consortium to cost share and perform this study, whic is now available.

Reach Stackers (9970038) - TDA is providing $780,000 to the Bulgarian Ministry of Transport for the procurement of 2 reach stackers, which will be used at the Port of Varna and the Sofia Intermodal Cargo Facility. Mi-Jack Products of Hazel Crest, IL, was competitively selected to provide the machines.

Diesel Locomotive Rehabilitation Facility Feasibility Study (9970009) - TDA signed a $250,000 grant with the Bulgarian State Railways to partially fund a $375,182 feasibility study on a diesel locomotive rehabilitation facility at Ruse. Transportation and Economic Research Associates of Sterling, VA performed and cost-shared the study, which is now available.

Sofia Southern Highway By-Pass (9870067) - TDA provided Bulgaria's General Road Administration $400,000 to fund a feasibility study on developing a highway by-pass which would help alleviate traffic congestion in Sofia and expedite traffic along Corridor 8. DeLeuw Cather, in association with PlanEcon, performed this study.

Bulgarian Railways Commercialization Assistance (9870066) TDA provided the Bulgarian Railways (BDZ) $290,000 for the partial funding of $570,000 in technical assistance to the BDZ to develop and implement a commercialization strategy. Don Breazeale & Associates (CA) performed and cost-shared the study, which is now available.

Wireless Local Loop Pilot Project (9870056) - TDA has signed a $295,000 grant with the Bulgarian Telecommunications Company (BTC) for a $365,000 pilot project for the deployment and study of wireless local loop technical solutions for rural telephony. Transcomm, Inc. was competitively selected to service the project; a final report is now available.

Catenary Inspection and Maintenance Vehicles Project (98749) - TDA is providing $1.35 million for the procurement of catenary inspection and maintenance vehicle for the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) for use along the East-West Corridor. Plasser American was competitively selected for the procurement, which was completed in August 2000.

Port of Burgas Intermodal Container Terminal Study (98702) TDA provided the Ministry of Transportation $300,000 for the partial funding of a $400,000 feasibility study on an intermodal container terminal at the Port of Burgas. Manalytics was competitively selected to perform the study, which was completed in early 2000.

Railroad Crossing Safety Panels Pilot Project (98707) - TDA has provided $296,050 to the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) to fund a project involving the test deployment of rubberized, long-lasting railway crossing safety panels at approximately fourteen sites in Bulgaria. HiRail Corporation (IA) was selected to identify sites and provide equipment. The project was completed in August 2000.

Sofia Intermodal Terminal Study (96725) - TDA provided the Ministry of Transportation $250,000 for the partial funding of a $500,000 feasibility study on an intermodal container terminal in Sofia. Sea-Land performed this study.

Railroad Equipment (96726) - TDA provided a $2.3 million grant to the Ministry of Transportation for the purchase of fiber optic cabling and related station equipment for the rail section between Sofia and Gyushevo. Procurements have been awarded to Siecor and ACSI-NT.

Railway Telecom & MIS (95723) - TDA approved a $128,000 grant to the Bulgarian State Railways (BDZ) for a feasibility study on the modernization of its telecom and computer systems. The MIS investment includes ticketing and reservations, and freight traffic management. Lynx Technologies, in coordination with Snavely King & Associates, performed this study which is available at the TDA library.

Nuclear Safety (94735B) - In May 1994, TDA provided a $350,000 grant to the Ministry of Energy for a study on safety upgrades and fuel core design at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's WER 1000 units. Westinghouse completed the study. TDA has also provided $200,000 to the Ministry for assistance in bidding and evaluation procedures for this project. Gilbert Commonwealth performed this assistance.

Hazardous Waste Management (93767B) - In February 1994, TDA provided a $800,000 grant to the Ministry of Environment for a study on hazardous waste management. ICF performed the study which is now available from NTIS.

Nuclear Safety (93737B) - In December 1993, TDA provided a $200,000 grant to the Committee of Energy for a study on the decommissioning of units 1-2 at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant. Stone & Webster performed the study.

Nuclear Safety (93737C) - In December 1993, TDA provided a $400,000 grant to the Committee of Energy for a study on the development of a computer-based equipment reliability system. Gilbert Commonwealth performed the study.

Nuclear Safety (93737D) - In December 1993, TDA provided a $350,000 grant to the Committee of Energy for a study on the development of a filtered vent design system for four of Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant's 6 units. ABB-Combustion Engineering performed the study.

District Heating (92755B) - In August 1992, TDA provided a $650,000 grant to the Committee of Energy for a study to evaluate the district heating plants at Sofia, Kostov, and Pernik. Gilbert Commonwealth performed the study.

Transportation Project Financing Training (94828) - TDA provided a grant to the Ministry of Transportation to enhance the ability of a transportation official to evaluate financing options for infrastructure projects. The Institute for Public Private Partnership coordinated the training.

Franchising Orientation Visit (94741) - TDA provided a grant for an orientation visit of eight prospective Bulgarian franchisees to the International Franchise Association's April 1994 Expo in Washington, D.C. The International Executive Service Corps (IESC) organized the visit. A copy of the final report is available from the TDA library.

Power Plant Rehabilitation (91735B) - In September 1991, TDA provided a $1.2 million grant to the Committee of Energy for a study on the rehabilitation of several coal-fired plants, including: Varna Power Station, Maritsa East 2, Maritsa 3 Power Station, Dimo Dichev Power Station, and Bobov Dol Power Station. Bechtel performed the study.