Houston Pumps recently reported $$185,000$ of sales, $$144,000$ of operating costs other than depreciation, and $$7,750$ of depreciation. The company had $$35,250$ of outstanding bonds that carry a $6\mathrm{.}75\%$ interest rate, and its federal$-$plus$-$state income tax rate was $25\%.$ In order to sustain its operations and thus generate future sale and cash flows, the firm was required to spend $$15,250$ to buy new fixed assets and to invest $$6,050$ in net operating working capital. What was the firm's free cash flow?

a$.$ $$11,950\mathrm{.}00$

b$.$ $$26,637\mathrm{.}50$

C$.$ $$17,437\mathrm{.}50$

d$.$ $$11,387\mathrm{.}50$

$2.$ $$19,700\mathrm{.}00$