USPS Seeks Suppliers for Transportation Management Services
U.S. Postal Service Sources Sought Notice Network Optimization
This sources sought notice is to request information for planning purposes only. This is not a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to solicit responses from interested suppliers to determine which are capable of providing the potential services described.
The U.S. Postal Service announced, in September 2011, a number of proposals designed to significantly reduce its operational costs. One proposal under consideration is a study to redesign the mail processing and transportation network. This study may result in consolidation of processing centers from 461 mail processing facilities to approximately 200 facilities. Read more
USPS Q & A on RFP Outdoor Billboard Advertising Management Services
USPS posted a notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website seeking contractor for ‘Commercial Outdoor Advertising Management Services.’ The following are Questions and Answers in response to the posting:
1). What information can USPS provide about the existing portfolio of billboards? Number of signs, size, location, are they leases or licenses, what percentage have interstate frontage, and when do they expire? How many billboards are already up on USPS properties? Is there a list of current locations? – A relatively small number. About 23 – albeit locations that are likely to be considered some of our most valuable. Seven are in NYC – three in Miami and the rest are literally scattered around the country – 1 here, 1 there – etc. A specific list will not be provided at this time and we would hope the absence of this list isn’t what determines a decision to respond to this RFP. Read more
USPS planning consolidation of Uniform Allowance Program
To consolidate the Uniform Allowance Program under one umbrella for Cost Management
To obtain sources for market research to support the U.S. Postal Service’s National Uniform Program. Under this effort, the successful Supplier shall be responsible for full program management of the Uniform Program (e.g. certifications, marketing, distribution, delivery) including manufacturing and providing all uniform items (e.g. dress uniforms, work clothes, accessories, foot wear, outer wear etc.).
via FebBizOpps
From the USPS Employee and Labor Relations (ELM) Manual
The Uniform Program consists of a number of types of clothing developed for various positions dependent on (a) the level of visibility to the public, (b) the type of work normally performed, and (c) the physical environment in which the employee normally works. The current categories are:
- Type 1 – city letter carriers, clerk/special delivery messengers, clerks performing city letter carrier duties, motor vehicle operators, tractor–trailer operators, driving instructors and examiners, letterbox mechanics, ramp clerks and transfer clerks, AMF, performing ramp clerk duties, area maintenance technician/specialists, maintenance mechanics working as letterbox mechanics (see 932.11h), passenger elevator operators, and elevator starters.
- Type 2 – employees assigned to retail operations.
- Type 3 – vehicle maintenance, custodial maintenance, mail handler, BMEU, and clerical employees eligible under 932.12 and 932.13.
- Type 4 – security force police officers.
- Type 5 – bargaining unit and nonbargaining unit medical personnel.
- Type 6 – supervisors.
USPS Q & A On Plans For Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite)
Filed under: fedbizopp, flat sequencing system, postal, postal news, usps
USPS posted a notice last month on Federal Business Opportunities website seeking vendors for Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite). Following are questions asked with regard to the Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite) Sources Sought Notice and the USPS responses:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is currently conducting market research and seeking to identify potential sources for a Phase II of our Flat Sequencing System (FSS) Program. Our Phase I designed machine currently in deployment is a large system that was primarily intended to accommodate high mail volume processing runs and targeted for our most highly populated flats mailing markets. Phase II is seeking and envisions a smaller footprint FSS (FSS Lite) machine as a solution to efficiently, reliably, and accurately sort and sequence flat mail to the order in which the mail is delivered on a letter carrier’s route (Delivery Point Sequence or DPS). The USPS seeks a system which can be deployed nationally and incrementally to provide maximum flexibility and efficiency in the DPS of flat mail within the existing and future Postal Service infrastructure.
1) Question: Are there any preliminary size requirements. What would be too big?
USPS Response: The current FSS phase 1 requires 15,000 sq ft. There is no defined requirement for phase 2 machines but the USPS anticipates a footprint less than 10,000 sq ft.2) Question: Are there any preliminary volume/time requirements?
USPS Response: The current FSS Phase 1 effective (both passes) throughput is 16,500 pieces per hour. Due to mail volume declines, the USPS is seeking FSS Lite solutions that can handle a larger number of delivery points but with a lower average volume per delivery point.3) Question: How sequenced will the mail be that enters this potential process? Is it going to be a 1,2 or 3 pass process?
USPS Response: It is anticipated that mail entering will be sorted to a 5 digit zone level. Depending on the solution proposed, other levels of sorting would be possible with potential price/performance impacts.4) Question: Is there any requirement for mixed letters/flats sequencing?
USPS Response: Mixed letters and flats processing is not a requirement for the FSS Lite machine.
5) Question: Is there anything against mixed letters/flats sequencing?
USPS Response: Mixed letters and flats is not anticipated for the FSS Lite solution
USPS To Expand Outdoor Billboard Advertising Program
USPS posted a notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website seeking contractor for Commercial Outdoor Advertising Management Services. The following excerpts are from the Request For Proposal (RFP). Read more
USPS Seeking Vendors For Small Footprint Flat Sequencing System (FSS Lite)
Filed under: fedbizopp, flat sequencing system, FSS, postal, postal news, usps
USPS posted the following notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is currently conducting market research and seeking to identify potential sources for a Phase II of our Flat Sequencing System (FSS) Program. Our Phase I designed machine currently in deployment is a large system that was primarily intended to accommodate high mail volume processing runs and targeted for our most highly populated flats mailing markets. Phase II is seeking and envisions a smaller footprint FSS (FSS Lite) machine as a solution to efficiently, reliably, and accurately sort and sequence flat mail to the order in which the mail is delivered on a letter carrier’s route (Delivery Point Sequence or DPS). The USPS seeks a system which can be deployed nationally and incrementally to provide maximum flexibility and efficiency in the DPS of flat mail within the existing and future Postal Service infrastructure.
The desired system would automate the DPS of flat mail for the purpose of reducing costs, absorbing growth and stabilizing postage rates at the USPS. Delivery point sequencing of flat mail reduces a carrier’s office time at the delivery unit by providing flat mail that is machine sorted, thereby avoiding manual casing. DPS also reduces clerk manual handling at delivery units.
The intent of this initial notice is to seek information from suppliers that currently have a small footprint system that sequences flat mail, or that will have a fully functional system available for demonstration in calendar year 2011. The USPS may request additional discussions relating to a responding supplier’s design, capabilities, and qualifications to manufacture production quantities of the proposed system.
Critical factors for flats DPS success include: sort and sequence accuracy, time to market, price, system reliability, accept rate, operating costs, and overall machine space requirements. As space is a cost consideration for the USPS, the solution should accomplish this task within the smallest footprint possible to allow for a wide range of implementation at USPS facilities. The system would be required to maintain a consistent throughput and be volume independent concerning the number of delivery points processed. We are seeking a solution which would maximize our ability to handle a high number of delivery points as a critical design element.
source: Federal Business Opportunities
OIG To Examine Major Corporations’ Innovation Practices For Use By USPS
The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (OIG) intends to award a contract to a qualified organization to assist OIG staff in examining innovation management processes at ten major U. S. corporations to identify best practices/processes that can be adapted for use by the U. S. Postal Service.
According to the notice posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website:
The U.S. Postal Service, Office of Inspector General (OIG) intends to award a labor hour contract to a qualified organization to assist OIG staff in examining innovation
management processes at ten major U. S. corporations to identify best practices/processes that can be adapted for use by the U. S. Postal Service.
Background
The OIG is an independent entity within the U.S. Postal Service. Its mission, in part, is to conduct and supervise objective and independent audits, reviews, and
investigations relating to Postal Service programs and operations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; and keep the Postal Service Governors, Congress, and Postal Service management informed of problems, deficiencies, and corresponding corrective actions.
Under the leadership of the Inspector General, the Assistant Inspector General for Audit is responsible for the Office of Audit (OA). Within OA, the Planning and Strategic Studies directorate will examine innovation processes at ten major U.S. corporations to identify best practices/processes that can be adapted for use by the U. S. Postal Service. The OIG will issue an audit reporting the results of this effort.
The audit report will discuss:
- The Postal Service’s current innovation strategy and practices;
- Obstacles to effective, efficient innovation;
- Benchmarking results; and
Innovation management best practices that can be adapted for use by the Postal Service.
Innovation is the development of new products, services and processes. Innovation differs from invention, in that invention imagines a solution to a problem, but
innovation turns invention into something that creates value.
Essential components of innovation include:
1. Leadership that understands and supports the role of innovation in company success.
2. A clearly articulated innovation strategy that is consistent with the company’s business strategy.
3. Methods for creating and capturing new ideas from multiple internal and external sources.
4. An objective process for deciding which innovations to pursue and continuously evaluating progress.
5. The ability to simultaneously and cooperatively execute development and commercial activities.
6. A plan to extract value from an innovation over the entire lifecycle of a new product or service.
Identify and document best practices in innovation management. These best practices should present strategies the Postal Service can use to improve its innovation management efforts. The supplier can use benchmarking results and further research as needed to complete this task.
USPS Seeks Supplier For Replacement Of Delivery Vehicles (LLV)
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
See all documents via Federal Business Opportunities
USPS OIG Seeking Contractor To Renovate Its Headquarters For $5 Million
The USPS Office Of Inspector General posted the following on the Federal Business Opportunities website:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) plans to issue a Firm Fixed Price Contract for a multi-phased Office Renovation to their Headquarters facility located at 1735 N Lynn Street, Arlington, VA. The work includes all labor and materials necessary to complete the renovations in accordance with USPS OIG approved specifications and drawings. Proposers should recognize the building is occupied and the project will be completed in multiple phases to avoid disruption of facility operations. The estimated cost of the project is between $4.8 million and $5.6 million, with construction completion within 365 calendar days from receipt of notice to proceed for the total project. The project consists of renovating 123,126 interior sf in an existing 12-story commercial office building. Work includes demolition and new work on 6 floors. Demolition work includes but is not limited to, interior partitions, casework, acoustical ceilings, lighting, mechanical diffusers and plumbing fixtures. All mechanical ductwork shall remain. New work includes new gypsum board partitions, new finishes throughout including; acoustical ceiling tiles, gypsum bulkheads, painted walls, broadloom carpet and vinyl tiles. Work also includes new lighting, electrical and IT wiring throughout and limited mechanical, plumbing and sprinkler work. This is a privately owned facility, leased by the USPS. All necessary permits will be required.
As part of a recent lease renewal, the landlord may fund payment requests related to this project. All payment requests will be submitted to the USPS OIG for approval, and then they may be forwarded to the lease management company for payment by the landlord.
USPS Seeking Suppliers For Next Generation Retail Software System
From Federal Business Opportunities
This Notice is for small, minority and woman-owned business sub-contracting opportunities
The Postal Service has issued a solicitation for the Next Generation Retail System Software (Next Gen RSS). This software will be utilized across all of the retail Point of Sale platforms. USPS is seeking Software, Software Maintenance, Software Support, and Help Desk Support across the continental United States. This is a competitive solicitation with prequalified suppliers. The award is subject to funding availability and the proposal received.
Posted Date:
December 23, 2010
Response Date:
Jan 31, 2011 1:00 pm Eastern