Deriving cash flows and computing net present value. Oceana, Inc., is contemplating selling a new product. Oceana, Inc., can acquire the equipment necessary to distribute and sell the product for $100,000. The equipment has an estimated life of 10 years and has no salvage value. The following schedule shows the expected sales volume, selling price, and variable cost per unit of production:

Production in each year must be sufficient to meet each year's sales. In addition, Oceana, Inc., will purchase 5,000 extra units in Year 1 to provide a continuing inventory of 5,000 units. Thus, production in Year 1 will be 15,000 units but in Year 10 will be only 10,000 units, so at the end of Year 10, ending inventory will be zero. Oceana will use a LIFO (last in, first out) cost flow assumption. Oceana's income tax rate is 40 percent, and its after-tax cost of capital is 9 percent per year. It receives cash at the end of the year when it makes sales and spends cash at the end of the year when it incurs costs. Oceana estimates variable selling expenses at $1 per unit sold. Depreciation on the new distribution equipment is not a product cost but is  an  expense  each  period.  For  tax  reporting,  depreciation  will  follow  these accelerated depreciation schedule  percentages:  20 percent  in  the first  year, 32 percent  in  the second, 19.2 percent in the third, 11.5 percent in the fourth, 11.5 percent in the fifth, 5.8 percent in the sixth, and zero thereafter. Oceana generates sufficient cash flows from other operations so that it can use all depreciation deductions to reduce current taxes otherwise payable.

a. Prepare a schedule of cash flows for this project.

b. Compute the net present value of the project.