You run a construction firm. You have just won a contract to build a government office building. It will take one year to construct it$,$ requiring an investment of $$9\mathrm{.}69$ million today and $$5\mathrm{.}39$ million in one year. The government will pay you $$20\mathrm{.}58$ million upon the building's completion. Suppose the cash flows and their times of payment are certain, and the risk$-$free interest rate is $8\%.$

a$.$ What is the NPV of this opportunity?

b$.$ How can your firm turn this NPV into cash today?