11.   NEC was a finalist in the bidding contest along with Cray and Fujitsu Corp., another Japanese supercomputer maker.

12.   Norfolk Southern Chairman David Goode said officials from the three companies will meet tomorrow to discuss the bidding contest.

13.   Representatives in London for two U.S. companies, who last week appeared ready for a protracted bidding contest, declined comment.

14.   Shares in potential French buyers Lagardere SCA and Alcatel Alsthom SA fell on the expectation a bidding contest will raise their costs.

15.   Some say that International Olympic Committee officials could have raised more if they had allowed a bidding contest.

16.   That could set up a bidding contest.

17.   The bid by Houston and CSW is the first counter-offer and could spark the first bidding contest.

18.   The company defeated Protexa Construcciones SA, Haliburton International and Perforadora Mexico SA, which also took part in the bidding contest for the contract.

19.   The delay was by agreement with investors showing interest in taking part in the bidding contest, the government said.

20.   The Edinburgh, Scotland-based insurer, said it expects to announce the winner of the three-sided bidding contest by the end of this week.