US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

46 U.S.C. § 57515

Awarding of charters

(a)

In General .—

section 57514 of this titleThe Secretary of Transportation shall award the charter to the bidder proposing to pay the highest monthly charter hire. However, the Secretary may reject the highest or most advantageous or any other bid if the Secretary considers the charter hire offered too low or determines that the bidder lacks the qualifications required by .
(b)

Highest Bid Rejected .—

If the Secretary rejects the highest bid, the Secretary may—
(1)
award the charter to the next highest bidder; or
(2)
reject all bids and either readvertise the line or operate the line until conditions appear more favorable to reoffer the line for private charter.
(c)

Reason for Rejection .—

On request of a bidder, the reason for rejection shall be stated in writing to the bidder.

Pub. L. 109–304, § 8(c)120 Stat. 1667 (, , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised

Section

Source (U.S. Code)

Source (Statutes at Large)

57515

46 App.:1196(b) (1st sentence related to authority).

June 29, 1936, ch. 858, title VII, §§ 706(b) (1st sentence related to authority), 707, 49 Stat. 2009; Pub. L. 97–31, § 12(108), (109), Aug. 6, 1981, 95 Stat. 163.

 

46 App.:1197.

section 57514 of this titleIn subsection (a), the words “if the Secretary considers the charter hire offered too low” are substituted for “if, in the Secretary’s discretion, the charter hire offered is deemed too low” to eliminate unnecessary words. The words “lacks the qualifications required by ” are substituted for “lacks sufficient capital, credit, or experience to operate successfully the line” to avoid repeating the qualifications in more than one place.