Loren Data Corp.

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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF JUNE 28,1995 PSA#1377

U.S. Postal Service, Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, Virginia 22082-8150

39 -- ENVELOPE REFLECTANCE METER Sol. AP007. Contact Point, Evelyn Hunt, FAX (703) 280-8412. The United States Postal Service is currently using reflectance meters for measuring the background reflectance of mailpieces as well as the contrast ratio between the ink used for printing the address and/or barcode, and the background. The United States Postal Service is seeking sources for an instrument to replace the existing meters, the ERM-2s. Please note that this is not a Request for a Proposal (RFP) at this time, the USPS is seeking sources only. The following is a summary of what is being sought. The existing meters are portable, stand alone units. Each unit has a calibration standard used to self calibrate the meter prior to usage. The meters measure reflected light in both the green and red spectra. The illumination system is incandescent at 40 - 0 -40 degrees to the horizontal. The aperture is 0.006 in. wide by 0.010 in. length. The new envelope reflectance meters may be modified off-the-shelf colorimeters or spectrophotometers. Absolute accuracy and repeatability within the meter as well as reproducibility between meters is of paramount importance. As a minimum, after initial warm-up and self calibration, the meter shall measure secondary calibration standards with a measurement repeatability within plus or minus one percent of the initial readings over a period of eight hours without requiring additional calibration. The measurement of primary and secondary standards between any meters shall be within plus or minus two percent. The vendor shall specify the minimum time before the meter is expected to require factory recalibration. The spectral response shall match as closely as is practicable the spectral response in both spectra (red and green) of the present envelope reflectance meter. The Postal Service will provide the special characteristics of the present envelope reflectance meters upon request. The meter shall measure within plus or minus two percent of the values obtained from a calibrated reference meter, supplied by the Postal Service, when measuring secondary standards of various colors. The vendor shall provide a description of their instrument certification procedures including traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST. To be compatabile with the present ERM-2, the meter shall have a forty five/zero/forty five degree illumination (influx/efflux). It is mandatory that the aperture have the same dimensions as that of the present envelope reflectance meter namely, six mils, by ten mils. (0.006in. x 0.010in). A portable unit while desirable, is not mandatory. All interested parties must respond in writing to Ms. Evelyn Hunt at fax no. (703)280-8412, or by mail at USPS-Automation Procurement, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA 22082-8150, Attention: Ms. Evelyn Hunt. Additional information packets (spectral characteristics, etc.) will be distributed to those interested parties, with additional instructions. Responses must be submitted no later than July 14, 1995. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. (173)

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