U.S. Code > Title 46 Shipping > Subtitle V—Merchant Marine (§§ 50101—58109) > Part F—Government-Owned Merchant Vessels (§§ 57101—57533) > CHAPTER 575—CONSTRUCTION, CHARTER, AND SALE OF VESSELS (§§ 57501—57533) > SUBCHAPTER II—CHARTERS (§§ 57511—57521) > § 57514. Qualifications of bidders

§ 57514. Qualifications of bidders

(a) Considerations.— In deciding whether to award a charter to a bidder, the Secretary of Transportation shall consider—
(1) the bidder’s financial resources, credit standing, and practical experience in operating vessels; and
(2) other factors a prudent business person would consider in entering into a transaction involving a large capital investment.
(b) Disqualifications.— The Secretary may not charter a vessel to a person appearing to lack sufficient capital, credit, and experience to operate the vessel successfully over the period covered by the charter.