IT solutions and staffing provider Ciber Inc. (NYSE: CBR) on Monday received a preliminary, non-binding letter of interest from Ameri Holdings Inc. (OTC: AMRH) to acquire it for a mix of preferred securities and cash consideration.

Ameri Holdings values the deal at $0.75 per share of Ciber common stock.

Ameri has formed a stockholder group, the “AMERI Group” with Lone Star Value Management LLC to nominate two candidates to Ciber’s board at the upcoming annual meeting of stockholders. The AMERI Group owns approximately 4.5 million shares of Ciber, representing 5.5% of Ciber’s total shares outstanding.

New Jersey-based Ameri Holdings, a provider of consulting and technology solutions, stated it first contacted Ciber a few weeks ago to explore the benefits of combining the two companies.  At that time, Ameri also submitted a formal proposal to Ciber’s board, expressing its interest in a strategic business combination. 

Ciber reported it is consulting with independent financial and legal advisors and its board of directors is reviewing and considering Ameri Holdings' offer to determine its course of action. Houlihan Lokey Inc. is acting as financial advisor to the company, and Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is acting as legal advisor.

Ciber has sold several of its European assets; most recently, ManpowerGroup (NYSE: MAN) agreed to purchase its Spanish business.

Ciber has until the end of the month to repay a $28.2 million bank loan, the Denver Business Journal reported. It is trading at all-time low levels and in danger of seeing its shares pulled from the New York Stock Exchange for not meeting minimum share-price requirements.