Consider a project to supply 35,000 tons of machine screws annually for automobile production. You will need an initial investment of $5,300,00 in threading equipment to get the project started; the project will last for five years. The accounting department estimates that annual fixed cost will be $985,000 and the variable costs should be $185 per ton; the CCA for threading equipment 20%. It also estimates a salvage value of $500,000 after dismantling costs. The marketing department estimates a selling price of $285 per ton. The engineering department estimates that you will require a net working capital investment of $410,000. You require a 13% return and face a marginal tax rate of 38 percent on this project.

a) What is the estimated OCF of this project? The NPV? Should you pursue the project? (20 marks)

b) Suppose you believe that the accounting department's initial cost and salvage value projections are accurate only to within 15%; the marketing department's selling price estimate is accurate only within 10% and the engineering department's net working capital estimate is accurate only to within 5%. What are the worst- and best-case scenarios of this project? Do you still want to pursue the project? (20 marks)

c) Calculate the IRR of the project for the base case scenario using solver and goal seek. (5 marks)