Publication 33 - Mailbox Transportation Contracting Guide

1 475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 4900 WASHINGTON DC 20260-6210 First-Class MailPostage & Fees PaidUSPSP ermit No. G-10 Mail TransportationContracting GuidePublication 33 June 2004 IntroductionThis Publication is designed to inform prospective offerors about thevarious types of Transportation contracts used by the Postal Service ,where to obtain information about specific contract opportunities, andhow to be placed on the Postal Service s list of potential of mail is a vital part of the Postal Service s mission ofbinding the nation together by providing prompt, reliable.

2 And efficientpostal services to every community in the United States. From its earliestdays, the Postal Service has relied on private Transportation contractorsto help fulfill this mission by providing contract service for thetransportation and delivery of Transportation service is generally purchased throughcompetition. Today, contract Transportation , including mail delivery toroadside receptacles along the line of travel ( , box delivery service),continues to play a vital role in providing postal services to ourcustomers.

3 The Postal Service awards contracts for transportationservices worth more than $4 billion a year. This includes contracts withairline, railroad, steamship, and highway Transportation service the Postal Service implements its Transformation Plan to ensure thecontinuation of affordable, universal mail service, improving operationalefficiency and obtaining the best value for all of our expenditures havebecome more critical than 2004 |1 Air ContractsThe Postal Service transports more than 7 million pounds of mail dailyusing air Transportation contractors.

4 The contractors range in size fromlarge, well-known passenger airlines to cargo airlines to smallowner-operators. They move mail between more than 24,000origin-destination Contract TypesThe different types of contracts that the Postal Service uses to procureair Transportation services are described contracts utilize a contractor s entire schedule. They arepurchased competitively through the use of request for proposals(RFPs). Under this type of contract the Postal Service establishes auniform rate that applies to all contractors.

5 Mail is dispatched to specificflights listed in the Official Airline Guide based on departure time at originand arrival time at destination, with preference given to direct andnonstop flights. The Postal Service uses a performance-basedmeasurement system to determine which airline receives the most mailwithin competitive markets. Transportation Portfolio at Postal ServiceHeadquarters contracts with approximately 70 carriers using this type contracts require contractors to provide service between aspecific pair of origin-destination locations.

6 They are purchasedcompetitively by Transportation Portfolio through the use of RFPs. Thebasic service requirements specify the origin and destination, minimumand maximum weights to be flown, frequency of service, and tender and2 | June 2004delivery times. Segment contracts are generally used for airtransportation between Hawaii and the South contracts provide for specified windows of service between amatrix of origin-destination pairs on a rate-per-trip basis. Weight and/orspace and tender and delivery requirements are specified in the are generally purchased competitively through the use of contracts are usually national in scope and are issued byTransportation Portfolio.

7 These contracts usually require the use ofdedicated aircraft between points where hub transfers are made. Theymay contain provisions requiring container and accessorial services ( ,terminal handling, ground drayage between airports and Postal Servicefacilities, or inter-airport ground drayage).Air TaxiAir taxi contracts are purchased under parts 121 and 135 of the FederalAviation Regulations. Carriers must meet the terms of the solicitationadvertised by the Area Distribution Networks Offices or TransportationPortfolio at Headquarters.

8 Contracts are awarded through the use ofRFPs. Air taxi contracts fulfill specifications and requirements for airtransportation in a distribution networks area. They are generally used toservice remote areas of the country not normally serviced by commercialcarriers or when commercial carriers cannot meet lift or AwardsHeadquarters advertises national Transportation contract opportunities forsystemwide coverage at 2004 |3 Placement on Mailing ListTo request placement on the Postal Service s list of interested offerors orto request additional information regarding system, segment, network,and air taxi contracts, write to.

9 MANAGERAIR Transportation CMCUS POSTAL SERVICE475 L ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 4900 WASHINGTON DC 20260-6210 The type of contract in which you may be interested might be handled ata Postal Service area office. We suggest you contact the office thatservices the location(s) in which you are interested to requestplacement on the mailing list. See the list of area offices starting onpage and Water ContractsRailThe Postal Service contracts with most of the major railroads, includingAmtrak passenger trains, for the Transportation of mail.

10 The contracts arefor trailer-on-flat-car (TOFC), container-on-flat-car (COFC), androadrailer service between specific origin-destination city pairs. Service ispurchased on a per-unit basis according to our requirements for meetingdelivery standards, with incentives for exemplary service andassessments for late arriving Postal Service contracts for domestic inland, domestic offshore, andinternational water Transportation of mail. Domestic inland watercontracts serve addresses that are on rivers, lakes, and other inland4 | June 2004bodies of water that can be accessed only by boat.