Bureau of the Census, Procurement Office, Room 1541, FB#3, Washington, (Suitland, MD) DC 20233

74 -- MAIL SORTING EQUIPMENT SOL RFI-95-05 POC Frances I. Toole, 301/457-1831 74--MAIL SORTING EQUIPMENT - REQUEST FOR INFORMATION The U.S. Census Bureau is conducting market research, and requesting information, from interested manufacturers of incoming mail sorting equipment. The equipment will be used for two main functions: to check-in and to sort mail responses in a high volume production environment. The responses will be unopened envelopes with approximate dimensions of 6 to 10 inches high and 9.5 to 12 inches long. The check-in function consists of reading and recording a unique identification number on each envelope. The identification number will be in bar coded format. This identification number and associated data, (date, time, batch number, etc), must be stored automatically by the equipment so that it can be retrieved later in ASCII format for transmission over a LAN/WAN. The sort function consists of the ability to: sort, batch, and open the mail responses; in any combination of these functions. These terms are defined as follows. To sort means to place an envelope into a designated location or pocket, based upon specific criteria such as the content of the bar coded identification number or size of the envelope. To batch means to place a fixed quantity of envelopes into a pocket(s). To open means to cut the envelope in order to make possible the removal of its contents, without damaging the contents. The sorting will allow for the placement of problem envelopes into a reject pocket(s). The machine must allow for sorting envelopes in up to eight locations or pockets. Interested parties should send their published information/literature relating mail sorting equipment to the attention of Ms. Frances I. Toole at the above address. Reference RFI-95-05 Telephone responses will not be accepted. (0209)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0474 19950731\74-0001.SOL)