11.   Combining allows the two companies to bid for larger contracts without having to invest in new rigs.

12.   Companies are bidding not just to meet current demand, but in anticipation of a growing consumer cry for innovative products such as wireless Internet access and advanced video.

13.   Companies will bid through the Internet.

14.   Companies must also bid on at least some licenses in every round to stay in the game.

15.   Drummond said several other U.K. water companies were bidding for the business, giving some urgency to closing the transaction.

16.   Ecuador said four phone companies may bid on Emetel in a public ceremony at a Quito hotel Wednesday afternoon.

17.   Eric B. Larson, project manager in Detroit for the Hines Interests Limited Partnership, confirmed that his company was bidding on the Renaissance Center.

18.   Evan McCollum, a spokesman for Lockheed Martin Astronautics, declined to comment beyond saying that the company is also bidding on the new project.

19.   For one thing, Thailand is allowing foreign companies to bid.

20.   Food salvage companies bid on damaged, out-of-date and surplus foods and restaurant supplies.