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
USPS Seeking Suppliers For Next Generation Handheld Scanners
and Mobile Data Acquisition Devices and software
USPS posted the following notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is seeking innovative solutions for its Next Generation of Handheld Data Acquisition device and software. The current device does not employ wireless technology and only communicates when cradled. The data collection occurs as delivery operations personnel deliver mail, scan barcodes, collect signatures, and provide proof of delivery. Other functions for this device include day-to-day operation of Surface Visibility, which tracks mail movement across the country. USPS envisions the new device to take advantage of technological trends that may be available for the retail and delivery industry.
The Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to pay for the information solicited.
USPS recognizes that the new system may not only require new handheld device, but also Software, infrastructure, and backend system processing support. All Suppliers (software, hardware, telecommunication, and integrators) are encouraged to respond to this RFI even if they can only provide service and/or product that address one part of this RFI.
When responding to the RFI questions, suppliers may discuss their approach for replacement strategy of 300,000 devices, their software, and infrastructure. Software development and/or migration strategies along with backend data processing and integration may also be addressed. COTS HW/SW solutions, with minor modifications, and industry standard practices built for product delivery and logistics industry may be discussed as well. Option for leasing the mobile wireless device, or perhaps significantly reduced pricing while participating in a wireless data plan, may be strategies that the supplier may explore as part of the RFI response.
THE PROCESS
Step 1: The Postal Service is simply seeking options from the interested supplier(s). The suppliers are encouraged to provide multiple options for implementation. Suppliers are also encouraged to not disclose proprietary information in this phase. Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) will not be extended to any supplier responding to this RFI. The supplier may only provide MSRP pricing to highlight the overall value of their solution including wireless plans and commercially available hardware/software solutions in the marketplace.
Step 2: USPS will use the information collected from RFI to produce the Statement-of-Work and will officially solicit suppliers for RFP.
Step 3: The supplier(s) for production system will be awarded contract(s).
EXPECTATION
1. General requirements:
• Provide real-time data collection and centralized data analysis and management
o Data Management Component
o Data Reporting Component
o System Configuration Component
o System Administration Component
o Asset Management Component
• Support scanning of all USPS current and easily user configurable for future barcodes (on the mobile client)
• System be independently configurable (without requiring supplier involvement and modification to the software code) (data driven)
• System supports a development environment that allows easy independent development of new features, screens and work flows(without requiring supplier involvement),
• Extend and integrate with new and existing systems (e.g. Product Tracking System, etc.) and Web Services (without requiring supplier involvement)
• Conform to all applicable USPS standards, (reference www.usps.com/publications)
• Be scalable to support 500,000 mobile devices
• Provide segregation of duties, role-based access and tiered administrative ability
USPS Seeking Vendors To Create Electronic Solution For Labeling Mail Transport Equipment
USPS looking for solution to eliminate paper, ink and workhours associated with labeling Mail Transport Equipment in a Mail Processing Environment
The United States Postal Service (USPS) utilizes a large array of material handling equipment (rolling stock including carts and dollies) during mail processing that we refer to as Mail Transport Equipment (MTE). This equipment is used for the staging and transportation of mail for downstream mail processing operations (intra/inter facility). The accurate and efficient labeling, identification, and tracking of this MTE is of the utmost importance.
Currently, the USPS uses printed (human readable) placards in order to label, track, and route MTE throughout the facility. The use of printed placards is a recurring cost (paper, ink, maintenance) as well as the labor associated with adhering and removing printed placards from MTE.
The USPS is seeking a solution that will eliminate the need for paper, ink, and labor hours associated with the labeling of MTE in a USPS mail processing environment. The desired solution we believe includes an electronic display device/placard to be affixed to the MTE. Updating of the electronic placards shall be performed wirelessly. All data to be wirelessly written to the digital displays would be retrieved automatically and electronically from a web service and or database provided by the USPS. Once an image has been written to the placard, it shall remain static until wirelessly overwritten. The battery for each individual electronic placard must have a long-life – no less than 4 years. Any proposed solution will provide no less information (MTE identification, routing, tracking, etc.) than that of the existing paper placard methodology.
The USPS is not currently seeking a production ready solution. The USPS is seeking a “ready to field” prototype system which would allow for the feasibility testing of a paperless placard system in a controlled processing environment. This feasibility test will require the installation of up to 600 electronic display devices on mail transport equipment (MTE) at a Washington D.C. area processing and distribution center (P&DC).
If this feasibility trial shows promise for future application, the USPS would move forward with a more formal research and development effort for the fielding of a production quality product. The USPS is seeking a prototype ready for testing within 1 week of contract award.
source: FeBizOpp: Paperless Cart Placard System – Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities.
USPS Seeks Supplier To Conduct All Non-Work Related Medical Exams
From the Federal Business Opportunities website:
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is pursuing a National Agreement with a Supplier(s) that has or is capable of developing a comprehensive Medical Provider Organization for conducting all non-work related medical examinations for the USPS. Postal Service offices are located in each of the 50 states plus Puerto Rico. Examinations and testing may be required in or around every city in the country.
This program will support the following USPS Internal Business Partner’s (IBP’s): Health and Resource Management (Occupational Health Services), U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, and Corporate Personnel Management.
The medical examinations include but are not limited to:
Pre-employment physical examinations for law enforcement applicants (Postal Inspectors, OIG Agents, and Postal Police Officers).
- Mandated law enforcement periodic physical examinations
- Specialty examinations for Forensic Laboratory Services and Technical Services personnel and Firing Range Instructors
- Health examinations for Postal Executives
- Focused Examinations for hiring suitability
- Fitness for Duty Examinations requested by the IBPs
- Fitness for Duty Examinations requested by Health and Resource Management for OWCP cases
- Threat Assessments (Emergency Fitness for Duty)
- FMLA Second and Third Opinions
- Return to work clearance exams
- Safe Driver program examinations
- National Reassessment Program examinations
- Specialty laboratory examinations and treatments
- Any other specific IBP medical examinations required
The majority of these examinations will require board certified specialists including psychiatrists, psychologists, orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, neurologists, physical medicine specialists, occupational medicine specialists, ophthalmologists, otolaryngologists, etc. The physician administering the examination is prohibited from establishing any future medical/professional relationship once the examination has been scheduled. The sole purpose of the examining physician is to administer the examination and to record the findings.
Response Date: Aug 27, 2010 11:59 pm Eastern
USPS Responds to Questions On Proposed Direct Mail Solution Initiative
The USPS is conducting market information research to identify interested organizations with the capability to partner with the USPS to develop; host; and market a go-to-market strategy. Yesterday via FedBizOPP USPS posted answers to questions posed by possible partners. See details of the solicitation and the Questions and Answers Questions with USPS Responses.doc
Q 1: How does the USPS envision this new initiative to differ from what is currently offered from Amazing Mail and Click2Mail?
R 1: No such assessments have been made. The purpose of this RFI is to get information for market research and planning purposes. The USPS’ goal is to provide access to a full portfolio of nationwide services and solutions that continue to add value to the mail process and reach as many customers as possible.
Q 2: What has the USPS learned from those endeavors?
R 2: The Postal Service considers the information requested to be proprietary and confidential.
Q 3: Will the USPS look to increase the number of partners, and if so, how many additional partners will be chosen?
R 3: See Response 1.
Q 4: Section 1.4 mentions a “revenue share arrangements” – does the current contract with Amazing Mail and Click 2 Mail have a revenue share agreement? If so, what is the basis for the revenue share – postage, Production mark-up?
R 4: This information is considered proprietary and confidential. As referenced in section 1.4 of the RFI, we are seeking industry input on potential business models and revenue share arrangements.
Q 5: How many orders a day does the USPS link to AmazingMail and Click2Mail generate?
R 5: This information is considered proprietary and confidential.
Q 6: Is the USPS allowed to develop competing products and services that are already being provided by companies in the private sector, when such competition potentially could bring economic harm to some of the USPS’s own best customers?
R 6: The Postal Service believes that it has the authority to promote and increase the use of direct mail by small and medium sized enterprises, to the benefit the overall mailing industry. The Postal Service’s goal is to provide services that continue to add value to the mail process and reach as many customers as possible with solutions that can be offered nationwide.
Q 7: In response to the statement: “Allowing the user to create a direct mail order and navigate other elements on the site without the need of having a login account.” Why does the USPS feel this requirement is a necessity?
R 7: Based on USPS research, customers have indicated that the creation of mail is a cumbersome and extensive process. Our goal is to make the creation of mail as user friendly and easy to use as possible before log-in is required. Read more
Postal Contracts
The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) intends to award a Blanket Purchasing Agreement (BPA) to a qualified organization to assist OIG staff with specific subject matter expertise in areas such as Postal Economics, Financial Reporting, Transportation, Engineering, Supply Management, Delivery, Sales and Service, Information Technology (IT), and Network Optimization.
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/SSP/OIG/6HQOIG-10-A-0005/listing.html
The OIG has undertaken a project to upgrade existing analog Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to an IP based camera system known as the Integrated Security and Investigative Platform (ISIP). The ISIP is to be deployed at USPS facilities nationwide in order to provide OIG Special Agents with enhanced video surveillance capabilities of activities occurring within USPS facilities.
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/SSP/OIG/6HQOIG-10-A-0006/listing.html
Direct Mail Online Solution
USPS is looking to enter into business relationships to enable access to a comprehensive, end-to-end, online direct mail solution targeted at Small and Medium size Enterprises (SME). The online solution will be:
• A convenient and easy-to-use, turnkey online service providing end-to-end functionality that allows SMEs to develop and execute direct marketing campaigns in a few simple steps.
• A standardized and scalable platform that can be leveraged across SME segments and distribution channels
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/SSP/PPHQ/RFI-SMEDM-03302010/listing.html
USPS eSourcing
All suppliers interested in doing business with the U.S. Postal Service should register their organization in the Supplier Registration module of the USPS eSourcing solution. Registration provides suppliers the opportunity to ensure their organization is included in this extensive supplier database. USPS eSourcing is a web-based electronic solicitation and reverse auction application that automates, standardizes, and streamlines the sourcing of supplies, services, equipment, transportation, and facilities. The solution is also utilized as one additional method for USPS to search for viable suppliers.
Supplier registration provides suppliers eligibility to participate in USPS eSourcing events. Suppliers can access the solution at https://uspsesourcing.emptoris.com. Once on the landing page, simply click on the “Register Supplier Organization” hyperlink to begin the registration process. Suppliers are encouraged to review the eSourcing Supplier Registration Guide (located at http://www.usps.com/suppliers/howto/registration.htm) prior to starting the registration process. This guide provides insight to completing the registration entry.
https://www.fbo.gov/spg/USPS/1/1/USPS-SUPPLIER-REGISTRATION/listing.html
PRC Seeking Third Party Consultant Services To Review USPS Current CSRS Obligations
PRC looking for Actuarial Consultant Services to review current CSRS obligations
Statement of Work for Actuarial Consultant Services – Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities:
Recent Developments
On January 20, 2010, the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) published a document entitled “The Postal Service’s Share of CSRS Pension Responsibility.” This paper is identified as Report No. RARC-WP-10-001 and is posted under White Papers on the USPS OIG’s website.
The paper examines the Postal Service’s responsibility for CSRS-related pension obligations at the time of the Postal Service’s July 1, 1971 transition from a Department-level agency (Post Office Department) to an independent establishment of the federal government. It notes that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) developed the current method of allocating these obligations between the Postal Service and the Federal Government and explains the methodology, including key assumptions. The report also describes an approach that the OIG believes would be more appropriate and equitable.
On February 23, 2010, as modified March 2, 2010, the Postal Service requested that the Commission initiate a review of decisions made by OPM regarding the Postal Service’s CSRS liabilities and issues highlighted in the USPS OIG report, including the report’s conclusion that OPM’s method, among other things, has resulted in substantial overfunding. The request was filed pursuant to section 802(c) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) of 2006, Pub. L. 109-435, 120 Stat. 3250-51. The Postal Service requests the Commission’s opinion on the fairness and equity of the current OPM method used to apportion the CSRS obligation between the Postal Service and the POD.
Objectives
The PRC requires actuarial consultant services, using the OIG report as background, to review the method selected by OPM to allocate CSRS obligations associated with USPS employees’ POD-era service between the Postal Service and the federal government.
Tasks
The actuarial consultant shall provide reports, documentation and deliverables in verbal, written or electronic format (as appropriate) and shall provide weekly written progress reports.
Project Details
The actuarial consultant shall:
Review the method employed by OPM to allocate CSRS liabilities incurred during employment by the POD and during employment with the USPS between the Postal Service and the Federal Government for the purpose of assessing the advantages and disadvantages of this allocation method
Advise as to any alternative methods that should be considered, including (but not limited to) the method suggested in the OIG paper
Provide an assessment of how an allocation would be structured if all parties had negotiating power similar to that involved in acquisitions in the private sector
As applicable, provide recommendations typically made in similar situations for estimating the allocation of pension liability between a parent company and subsidiaries, particularly if those subsidiaries are divested
As applicable, compare OPM’s current method of allocation to standard or typical allocation methods used in a spin-off by other semi-government, government bodies or private sector entity undergoing a similar restructuring
Meet with OPM, USPS and USPS OIG actuaries, as needed, to discuss and to apply methods and results.
Support PRC staff members in identifying and assessing appropriate allocation methods
Provide related supporting data and, to the extent practicable, models or description thereof, to PRC staff
Address the appropriate level of funding for a Retiree Pension fund, including standard or typical practice, risks of overfunding vs. underfunding, volatility of funding assumptions, and any other important issues
Requirements
The actuarial consultant must be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Actuaries, have extensive experience in the pension field, and must have experience analyzing pension issues in a legal and legislative context.
The actuarial consultant must disclose all current and previous work performed for USPS or any other federal agency. The actuarial consultant also must disclose any pending negotiations for professional engagements with USPS or other federal agencies, apart from this SOW.
The actuarial consultant shall provide a description of qualifications, proposed work methods, an estimate of the length of time needed to complete the project, the total cost of the project, and the basis for the calculation.
The actuarial consultant shall acknowledge that if selected to provide professional services pursuant to this SOW, all work will be conducted with the understanding that time is of the essence in meeting the contractual deadline and that no extension of the deadline will be allowed.
Deliverables Date due: July 1, 2010
Provide a written evaluation of the determinative factors in assessing an appropriate allocation method and an evaluation of the current method used in OPM’s allocation. The evaluation will include:
1. A comparison, where appropriate, to allocation methods typically used for splitting pension liabilities;
2. An assessment of the alternative method set out in the OIG paper;
3. Specific discussion of the effects of the current allocation method on affected parties
Commission and Staff Review Session
USPS Seeks Manufacturer For Anti-Pilferage Seals To Use On Mail Containers
The US Postal Service posted following notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website:
A successful manufacturer of seals shall be capable of producing anti-pilferage seals with the minimum general requirements listed below:
The seal is intended for use on mail containers where security is of utmost importance. The seal shall secure the mail containers and shall not allow the container to be opened without physical destruction of the seal. The seal shall be a passive one time use locking device and shall indicate tampering or access into the mail containers. The seal shall close and lock in a manner that provides an audible and tactile feedback to the user that the seal has closed securely. When forcibly opened or cut, the seal shall be incapable of being resealed. The seal shall be protected against “picking”, i.e., to unlock and re-close the seal without evidence of tampering. Any attempt to open the seal should be readily detectable.
Each seal shall bear a printed barcode that encodes its unique sequential serial number. The barcode shall match an eight (8) digit identification number embossed on the seal. The barcode shall be compatible with USPS scanners and utilize one of the following barcode symbologies (to be specified in the future): GS1-128; ISS Code 128; DataMatrix; PDF-417; Interleaved 2-of -5 (I 2-of-5); or Code 39. At least 70 percent of the barcodes in each shipment of seals shall have an overall symbol grade of “B” or better. The remainder shall measure no less than a symbol grade of “C”. Specified symbol grades are based upon the ISO/IEC 15416 Barode Print Quality Guideline (formerly INCITS 182) which recommends a method of measuring the quality parameters of printed barcode symbols.
source: Federal Business Opportunities