Zinc Corp. is planning to purchase a new machine. The initial investment outlay is expected to be $40,000, and the annual supplemental operating cash flows that the machine is expected to generate during its three-year life are $11,000, $15,000, and $18,000, respectively. The company's required rate of return is 9 percent. Which of the following statements is correct about the machine's net present value (NPV) and the decision of Zinc Corp. should make?

a. Accept the project because NPV = $4,000

b. Accept the project because NPV = $76,616

c. Accept the project because NPV = $4,382

d. Reject the project because NPV = $3,384

e. Reject the project because NPV = $16,981