ASFM-100 Work Awarded Back to Clerk Craft at Trenton P&DC
Effective May 28, 2008, US District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano issued his decision regarding enforcement of the American Postal Workers Union/United States Postal Service pre-arbitration Settlement Agreement, dated October 28, 2005, for AFSM staffing at the Trenton P&DC.
Judge Pisano stated, “The Settlement Agreement provides for the clerk craft to have primary jurisdiction over the positions on the AFSM-100 machines and that, in the event work requires less than six employees to staff the machines, the remaining positions on the machines will be staffed by clerk craft only. Thereby, if there is a ‘reduction in work [,]’ then clerks only operate the machines. Although the Settlement Agreement does not define ‘reduction in work [.]’ the terms of the Agreement do not limit the method by which the reduction in work may occur. That is, the Agreement sets forth a staffing procedure invoked by a ‘reduction in work’ irrespective of how that reduction in work takes place.
In this instance, the modifications to the AFSM-100 resulted in a ‘reduction in work.’ The addition of the AI and ATHS automated features caused ‘a reduction of the AFSM[-]100 operating crew, [a] decrease[] in operation run times, and efficiencies in the preparation activities.’ (Lewis Aff. II Ex. B). As a result, the ‘reduction in work’ caused by enhancements to the AFSM-100 machine trigger the Settlement Agreement’s staffing reduction procedure.
Thus, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the clerks maintain jurisdiction over the stations in the AFSM-100 machines in the Trenton facility, irrespective of the
enhancements. Accordingly, the Court holds that there is no dispute of material fact that the Settlement Agreement covers the dispute of which Trenton Metro now complains-whether clerks or mail handlers have jurisdiction to operate the AFSM-100 machines-and is ‘sufficiently specific as to be capable of implementation.’ Consolidation Coal, supra, 666 F.2d at 810. The Court further holds that the Settlement Agreement is entitled to enforcement.
Pursuant and in accordance with the Judge’s order, the APWU expects immediate staffing of the three FSM 100 machines with the clerk craft.
The APWU will monitor USPS compliance with the Judge’s order and pursue appropriate pay remedies for all work performed by the Mail Handler craft on the AFSM 100’s commencing today.
Bill Lewis, President, APWU Trenton Metro Area Local
Postal Service High-Speed Sorters Get Smarter, Faster
Board of Governors Approve Funding for New Technology
WASHINGTON, DC — In a move to enhance mail sorting technology to better serve customers, the Postal Service Board of Governors today approved funding to purchase technology to postmark letters faster and sort them smarter. The 550 Advanced Facer Canceller System (AFCS) machines will replace existing sorters operating on 1980’s technology.
Today’s AFCS machine locates a stamp’s phosphorescent ink and uses it to position the letter for postmarking on the upper right corner of the envelope. It then sends the letter to one of seven bins for additional sorting. The new AFCS will be 15 percent faster, apply barcodes, and process broader-sized letters before sorting them to one of 12 destination bins. The additional bins will reduce downstream processing needs for about 20 percent of the mail. The new equipment, which is more energy efficient, will be deployed between May 2010 and July 2011.
During its meeting today, the Board also approved funding to purchase 400 computer systems to replace existing National Directory Support System (NDSS) and the Integrated Data System (IDS). The Postal Service’s 13,000 automated sorting machines process 212 billion letters, large envelopes (flats) and packages annually. Key to these operations is providing information to the machines to enable proper mail sorting and retrieving information from the machines about their operations.
The NDSS contains the nation’s 148 million addresses and downloads ZIP Code directories to more than 13,000 letter, flat and parcel sorting machines weekly. On a daily basis, the NDSS generates and downloads more than 25,000 programs to sort mail in the order of delivery.
The IDS collects and distributes operational and management data to help the Postal Service achieve optimum machine performance. It also provides valuable mail sorting information that is shared with business customers.
These nationally deployed systems provide critical data used to manage automated mail processing operations. They also keep the Postal Service competitive by providing essential data used to support a variety of programs that generate revenue and reduce operating costs. Deployment of the new IDS-NDSS computer systems begins in January 2009 and will be completed in July 2009.
Also at today’s meeting, the Board approved a new 10-year lease for the Bethpage, NY, Logistics and Distribution Center. The 409,054-square foot facility plays a major mail processing role for the New York City metropolitan area. The new lease will run from March 6, 2009, through March 5, 2019.
In other action, the Board today honored former Board chairman James C. Miller III for his three years of service as chairman. The Board also established the honorary title of chairman pro tempore for the immediate past chairman. Mr. Miller will be first to hold this honorary title. Miller was succeeded as chairman by Alan Kessler in January and Carolyn Gallagher was elected vice chairman at that time.
New Video On USPS Flats Sequencing System
USPS Flats Sequencing System (FSS) Video
[video]http://youtube.com/v/KBA3Q9i0qVE[/video]
USPS Wants To Automate Road Tests
From FedBizOpp via PostalReporter reader:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) administers and maintains a number of pre-hire and post-training examinations for purposes of evaluating applicants and employees’ job-related qualifications and training. Included among those examinations are three that require examiners to observe examinees performing specific job-related activities and record observed behaviors: the Initial Road Test (Examination 804), the End-of-Training Road Test (Examination 806), and the Automotive Bench Test (Examination 941). The USPS is interested in automating the recording of examination behaviors, in order to further expedite data capture and scoring.
Scope and Objectives of Request for Information
The USPS wishes to obtain information about innovative, portable automated solutions for recording and transmitting assessment data. The USPS does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to pay for the information solicited. This solicitation is issued for the purposes of obtaining general information about products, services and suppliers.
The U.S. Postal Service currently has three work-sample examinations that are administered in a one-on-one environment, where the examiner observes the examinee and records observed, exam-related behaviors. Currently, the behaviors are recorded on a scannable form, then the form is scanned and a score is generated. We are interested in seeking solutions to automate this process.
Two of the examinations are driving exams, where the examiner is riding in the passenger side of a moving vehicle while recording observed behaviors. The third examination is an automotive maintenance exam, where the examiner is observing the examinee in a workroom environment.
Because of the mobile nature of the examination administrations, it is important that the automated solution also be mobile, such as a laptop, electronic notepad, digital pen or handheld display device. Further, the driving exam form includes over 100 behaviors and the behaviors are not performed sequentially. Therefore, the form or interface needs to allow for examiners to easily view and read test items, quickly navigate among and locate the appropriate items, and record them while sitting in a moving vehicle.
An examinee’s score is calculated by combining the values of the behaviors observed (or not observed), following a pre-determined scoring algorithm. Examinees pass or fail as a result of their exam score, based on a pre-set passing score.
We are seeking an automated solution to use for administering these examinations. We are interested in learning about automated solutions that offer one or more of the following benefits:
1. A portable device that can be held, carried, viewed and accessed in a moving vehicle and in a work room.
2. A user-friendly interface for examiners to view behavioral statements and mark when observed or not observed.
3. Automated exam scoring.
4. Data transfer to a central database.
source: FedBizOpp
USPS Seeking Info On Automatic Vending Machine Manufacturing
From Federal Business Opportunities:
THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY- The United States Postal Service (USPS) is seeking information regarding the potential for strategic partnerships to provide a modular kiosk solution capable of printing postage-on-demand, dispensing/vending postal products, supporting shipping and mailing functions, and providing supplemental or complementary services (government or non-government). The USPS needs to understand the feasibility of strategic partnerships to provide this solution in an attempt to expand our alternative access capabilities, provide ease of use for postal customers, and provide self-service options during and after normal retail operations. In addition, the USPS needs to understand the ability of providers within the market to fully support this solution (deploy, maintain, stock, and support) at no cost to the USPS
USPS Flat Sequencing System Strategy
FSS will reduce city carrier work load by 85 per cent. Three-fourths of city carrier volume is flats, most City Carriers spend 2 hours in office and 6 hours on street with 30 minute fixed office time break. FSS will reduce office time and increase street time.
The Memorandum of Understanding included in the USPS, NALC proposed contract agreement states “FSS Implementation that stipulates that once FSS is fully implemented in a delivery unit, management will determine the methods to estimate the impact of FSS and adjust routes accordingly.
See video of FSS in action, photos, deployment and other information
USPS Deployment of Automated Postal Centers Put On Hold
USPS to study why some APCs not performing well
Postal Service is delaying the second stage of installing automated postal centers in lobbies.
Spokesman Gerry McKiernan confirmed the delay Wednesday, saying the agency is studying why some of its already installed automated centers did not perform up to expectations.
About 2,500 automated postal centers have been located in post offices across the country. The centers allow customers to weigh letters and parcels, select the type of service needed and print out postage, using credit cards to pay.
A June report from the agency’s inspector general said that as many as half of the installed centers were not meeting minimum expectations.
McKiernan said of the 2,500 installed, 514 centers were not meeting expectations for various reasons.
As a result, he said, deployment of further centers is being delayed while the problem ones are being assessed. The agency also cited cost considerations in the delay.
McKiernan said that 145 of the underperforming centers are being relocated to other offices. In the other cases, officials are trying to determine if customers just don’t want to use the machines or need assistance getting started with them.
In some cases lobby directors are being put into service to help people begin using the automated centers.
An inspector general’s report had warned that installing the planned 3,000 phase two centers could end up causing a loss of $115 million over seven years, rather than the anticipated $243 million in income.
source: Associated Press
Related: USPS OIG Report -Deployment Strategy of Automated Postal Centers
What can the Automated Postal centers (APCs) do?
USPS Seeks Vendors for Postal Package Processing System
In a recent notice USPS is seeking the following:
In concert with its Strategic Transformation Plan 2006-2010, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is evaluating the augmentation and potential replacement of its existing fleet of legacy sorting machines with new equipment that will improve operational efficiency to reduce costs associated with package processing. This new equipment will be developed under the program name Postal Package Processing System, commonly referred to as “3P”.To achieve optimal equipment performance, the USPS plans to purchase a variety of commercially produced modules that, when integrated, comprise a fully functional package processing system. The modules anticipated to produce a complete 3P System include the following:
• Package Feed Mechanization (PFM)
• Pallet Bundles Destacker
• Parcels and Mixed Products Singulator (PMPS)
• Manual-Assist with Separator
• Mail Piece Information Capture (MPIC)
• Recognition (RECO)
• Sortation
• System Control and Management Software (SCMS)
USPS Engineering will evaluate vendor technical proposals for the purpose of awarding contracts to one or more Suppliers for each of these modules. USPS Engineering will subsequently manage the integration (design, development, interconnection, and commissioning), documentation and testing of these modules into a prototype 3P System. This prototype system will be assembled and tested at a postal facility located in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area.
After the performance of the prototype 3P System is successfully validated, the USPS will determine the feasibility to exercise the optional Contract Line Item Numbers (CLIN) included in each module’s contract award for the production and deployment of 3P Systems into postal facilities that can economically justify the investment.
The Supplier’s Project Plan shall provide for adequate resources to deploy three (3) Sortation Modules per month during the production phase. This deployment shall include the time to deliver, assemble, debug and test each Sortation Module through satisfactory completion of the acceptance testing.
Deployment Schedule (subject to change)
The Supplier shall deploy the prototype and production Sortation Modules in accordance with the following project plan schedule:
Prototype Sortation Module Contract Award - October 2007
Prototype Sortation Module In-Plant Test – March 2008
Prototype Sortation Module First Article Test – May 2008
Production Sortation Module Contract Award – November 2008
Production First Article Testing Sortation Module – April 2009
Production Sortation Module #2-4 – July 2009
Production Sortation Module #5-7 – August 2009
Production Sortation Module #8-10 – September 2009
Production Sortation Module #11-13 – October 2009
Production Sortation Module #14-16 – November 2009
Production Sortation Module #17-19 – January 2010
Production Sortation Module #20-22 – February 2010
Production Sortation Module #23-25 – March 2010
Production Sortation Module #26-28 – April 2010
Production Sortation Module #29-31 – May 2010
Production Sortation Module #32-34 – June 2010
Production Sortation Module #35 – July 2010
source: Federal Business Opportunities
Postal Service Awards $874.6 Million Contract for Flat Sequencing System
Filed under: automation, FSS, postal, postal news, press releases, usps
BALTIMORE, Maryland – Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a $874.6 million fixed-price contract from the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide 100 Flats Sequencing Systems (FSS) designed to further automate the flats mail stream, which includes large envelopes, catalogs and magazines.
“The FSS award is the latest in a series of programs reflecting our strong relationship with the Postal Service to integrate Northrop Grumman flat mail technologies into innovative postal automation solutions. We have focused on developing a comprehensive system that will enable the agency to realize operational efficiencies, and we are extremely proud and excited at the opportunity to make FSS a reality,” said Vicki Spira, vice president of Postal Automation at Northrop Grumman’s Government Systems Division.
Northrop Grumman’s first generation of flats sorting technologies is in operation at Postal Service processing centers nationwide. FSS represents the next generation of flats automation by sorting mail to the delivery sequence of each carrier, thereby reducing manual sorting. Flat mail is a labor-intensive category of mail to process and deliver due to variations in size and thickness
Northrop Grumman is serving as the FSS prime contractor. The company jointly developed the key technologies incorporated into FSS with Solystic, a company subsidiary in France, and Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. in Arlington, Texas. This team will field a pre-production version of the system later this year, which will be used by USPS to develop system operational procedures.
Installation of the first FSS production units at USPS facilities nationwide is expected to begin in 2008 with the remaining FSS installations scheduled for completion by 2010.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.
SOURCE: Northrop Grumman Corporation