USPS posts Solicitation for Repowered Fuel-Efficient Gasoline Long Life Vehicle (LLV)
The USPS is actively evaluating various alternative vehicle technologies for the eventual replacement of our fleet of delivery vehicles. Our technology with a good potential is a fuel-efficient gasoline drive train. The USPS intends to award one contract to this solicitation and the Postal Service is not required to to purchase from the supplier requirments [sic] in exess [sic] of this contract.
Highlights from documents submitted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website:
Intended Use – The vehicle shall be used on multi-stop delivery, relay, collection, and parcel post routes. They shall be operated in all weather conditions found in the United States. The vehicle shall carry payloads up to 454 kg (1,000 lbs) and operate over hilly terrain, semi-improved roads, as well as city streets, and make as many as 700 starts and stops per day to deliver letter mail, parcel post, relays, and to collect mail from street letter boxes in addition to stops and starts required by traffic conditions. The operator may dismount and remount, start and restart the vehicle up to 700 times during these stops and starts.
Scope – This specification covers the repowering of a provided right-hand drive vehicle with a new fuel-efficient gasoline powered engine and new transmission, along with a new rear axle system, new exhaust system and all related accessories. The provided Long Life Vehicle (LLV) has a minimum of 3.06 cubic meters (108 cubic feet) cargo capacity, and a minimum rated payload capacity of not less than 454 kilograms (kg) (1,000 lbs). The provided vehicle body is constructed of aluminum.
Description – The repowered vehicle shall be equipped with a new fuel-efficient gasoline-powered engine, a new automatic transmission and new rear drive axle system. The repowered vehicle shall be complete with all existing operating accessories furnished and installed on vehicle to enable the vehicle to function reliably and efficiently under all conditions of service.
Road Speed – The repowered vehicle shall have road speed of not less than 104.6 kilometers per hour (km/h), 65 miles per hour (mph), in high gear (the minimum gear ratio), and be capable of maintaining a minimum sustained road speed of not less than 104.6 km/h (65 mph) when operated on smooth, hard-surfaced roads, on grades from 0 to 1.0%, and at altitudes of up to 914.4 meters (3,000 feet). The vehicle, when operated under these conditions, shall be capable of accelerating from 0 to a speed of 24 km/h (15 mph) within 5 seconds, from 0 to a speed of 80.5 km/h (50 mph) within 22 seconds, and from 0 to a speed of 104.6 km/h (65 mph) within 35 seconds.
High Speed Gradeability – The repowered vehicle shall be capable of maintaining a sustained road speed of not less than 72.5 km/h (45 mph) while ascending a minimum 2.5% grade on smooth, hard-surfaced roads.
– The repowered vehicle shall be capable of stopping on and then ascending in both forward and reverse drives, with a grade of not less than 20%.
Design and Construction – Vehicle furnished under this specification shall be ruggedly constructed and highly maneuverable, offering the least possible demand on parking and platform space during loading and unloading operations. Total design shall incorporate the best principles of ruggedness, roadability, safety of operation, ease of handling, cargo loading, and minimum scheduled preventative maintenance servicing.
Curbside Delivery
Total Route Distance (miles) 20.8
- Total Route Number of Delivery Stops 500
- Average Route Speed (not including stop time, mph) 13.6
- Total Route Drving Time (hour) 1.5
- Total Pre/Post Route Drive Time (hour) 0.5
- Total Route Stop Time, not including breaks (hour) 3.8
- Average Route Delivery Stop Time (sec) 27
- Average Driving Time Between Stops (sec) 11
- Time on Route per Day (hour) 6
- Route Break Time Per day (hour) 0.667
One thing I would like to see on the new LLV would be “intermittent windshield wipers”. It’s a pain in the ass to reach up and clean them every min or so when you don’t need them on all the time.
I had a carrier one time ask me to install a beer holder in his truck for him
How about if the Postal Service STOPS the real stupid shit of buying “comfort ” vehicles like these caravans with A/C, AM/FM radios with CD players, Cruise Control. UPPER Management is what’s bringing down the P.O. Your delivering the mail for gods sake – I carried for 17 yrs and I know that MY street time would of increased have I had a comfort vehicle to deliver it with.
Safety is a priority when it’s CONVENIENT it seems, cause why would they buy a left hand drive vehicle to park with traffic and exit that vehicle into traffic???
MANAGEMENT WISE UP AND CONSULT YOUR EMPLOYEES B4 PURCHASING A FLEET.
ALSO the more different vehicles, the more cost for keeping different inventory! RUN THE POSTAL SERVICE LIKE A PRIVATE BUSINESS you dumb asses! Your running it into the ground! WISE THE F#@% UP B4 it’s too late!!!!!!
Problem with the Ford Transit Connect is that it’s built in Turkey. Yup Turkey.
How about a trash can plow on the front bumper!
Freightliner could build the best truck for USPS, (AS long as it is built in North Carolina — need to get some americans back to work!!!!
J Jameson, letter carriers DID participate in the trials and choice of the LLV back in the 80’s. I just wish they had let VMF personnel have some input too!
Kathy you have some good suggestions, though I would point out that the LLV has a smaller turning radius than similar vehicles of the same capacity
Sal & Mark, the Transit Connect is a nice vehicle, however the conventional swinging side doors present some problems for curbside delivery compared to the sliding door of the LLV and FFV.
Thomas, the LLV tray and seating system could be improved for sure, but the tray does adjust and the seat swivels as well. Few carriers seem to use the swiveling seat feature even though it is simple to operate. 4WD would be nice in some areas but must be balanced against increased purchase cost and higher maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle.
Mark, Ford has had several “nice” contracts with USPS for vehicles, though I think the USPS got the short end when it came to the FFV.
How about adding a rear door window.
FORD MAKES THE TRANSIT CONNECT IT IS PERFECT FOR DELIVERY OPERATIONS..AND IT ALSO COMES INRIGHT HAND DRIVE..ITS BEEN IN EUROPE FOR YEARS….
Yup, they are also available in an all electric version in Europe as well. Seems like a pretty simple solution to me. Get Ford in on a nice contract with the usps and help out both organizations. Never will happen though, because it’s too sensible.
Our office hasn’t had replacements since the original LLV’s in the mid-80’s. We’re two models behind, as far as I know. The LLVs are death traps but as usual management couldn’t give a rat’s ass less. We’re also plagued with being extremely short handed (like that’s news) to the point carriers can’t complete their routes. And mgmnt. doesn’t care! My route is “adjusted” to 1200 stops, thanks to the new route adjustment process. Who do I thank – the idiot from management who added 40 minutes to my route despite the 3999 and 1840-b both showed the route already 45 minutes too long, or the ass kisser from the NALC who let the idiot run roughshod over us? Some representation.
How about a vehicle that we can use that is userfriendly. Meaning have the ability to adjust the tray in front to limit the strain from the repetitious movement of reaching over. Having a vehcile that is 4×4 for us that are located in parts of the region that experience snow, blizzards, heavy amounts of snow (feet) Colorado, Denver. It is such a waste of time and money when we have to chain up and WASTE money we could use else where. Also the chains break leaving the vehicle stranded causing WASTED TIME and MONEY when the carrier has to wait for a replacement vehcile. Lets be smart for once and use common sensewhen shopping for replacement vehicles. Instead of cutting deals with contractors and providing vehicles that SUCK and cause more HAVOCK.
FORD MAKES THE TRANSIT CONNECT IT IS PERFECT FOR DELIVERY OPERATIONS..AND IT ALSO COMES INRIGHT HAND DRIVE..ITS BEEN IN EUROPE FOR YEARS….
Please make sure the new vehicles can turn around in a normal street(without backing up). Please make sure the steering wheel is capable of letting us use it as a “clipboard” as we spend alot of time filling out forms in our vehicles. Oh, as long as I’m dreaming, how about the old kick vents” at out feet and at our heads for ventilation for the driver like the ole jeeps?
One of the biggst complaints that letter carriers have concerning postal vehicles is the continual lack of shelving in the rear of the vehicle, and the lack of form holders and “cubbyhole space” in the driver’s area.
This situation has been going on since the Post Office used jeeps and yet every time the vehicles are replaced with newer models it is still the same. Somehow the Postal Service thinks that “saving money” on what they apparently feel are luxury items is better than giving their employees equipment that will allow them to work more efficiently which obviously means faster.
Most companies would audit their employees and ask THEM for input and make it as easy as possible for them to do their job, as they are the ones who do it everyday, but apparently not the Post Office.
Without the decades old and much maligned autocratic style of management what would the Post Office be? Oh, more efficient>