U.S. Postal Service, Headquarters Purchasing, Room 4541, 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW., Washington, DC 20260-6230

J -- OPERATION OF MAIL TRANSPORT EQUIPMENT SERVICES CENTERS. SOL n/a DUE 052597 POC Cora L. Greene, Contracting Officer (202)/268-4128 Sources Sought/Supplier -- Prequalification for the operation and management of Mail Transport Equipment Service Centers (MTESC). The Postal Service has examined the processing and repair of Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) and has come to the conclusion that separate facilities need to be established and a network formed to ensure that adequate, timely, and high quality MTE is available to USPS Processing and Distribution Centers, Bulk Mail Centers and their customers. The MTESC network will provide an efficient means of continuously improving the management of Mail Transport Equipment processing, repair, and redistribution functions. A total of 22 sites will form the network. Replacement parts and transportation will be provided by the Postal Service. The Postal Service is now exploring the possibility of outsourcing this work. The USPS intends to pre-quality only an adequate number of the best qualified sources who are currently performing services of a similar nature. Contractors will be required to staff and efficeintly operate the MTESCs in accordance with the requirements of the Postal Service. MTE currenly consists of any container enclosing mail, or holding other containers enclosing mail during processing or transportation, including mailbags and pouches, trays, tray sleeves and lids; pallets and pallet mounted cardboard boxes; rolling stock (hand propelled, wheeled containers); and other miscellaneous items, but not including trailers used to transport mail over the roads. Companies seeking to be pre-qualified must have sufficient experience and financial capability to operate three (3) MTESCs located in different geographical areas of the United States. Companies must have performed similar work continuously for the past five years. In addition, companies must have the financial capability or the financial facility to support $25-$30 million annual revenues to be considered for pre-qualification. The pre-qualification package which contains a description of the anticipated work requirements, the evaluation considerations to be used for pre-qualification and pre-qualification submission requirements may be obtained by requesting,in writing, to the Contracting Officer, at the address indicated or sending a Fax to (202)268-5655. No phone calls will be accepted. Prequalification packages will be mailed out until August 11, 1997. After August 11, 1997, no requests will be accepted. Companies interested in being pre-qualified must submit their request by 2:00 PM (EST) August 11, 1997. Pre-qualification does not constitute a contract award. The Postal Service is pre-qualifying suppliers so that only an adequate number of the best qualified suppliers are available to compete for future contract(s). Offerors who have previously been pre-qualified need not re-apply. Competitors of the Postal Service are not eligible for this pre-qualification process. The Contracting Officer will ensure that all interested suppliers are evaluated and treated fairly. Any company which is not placed on the pre-qualification list will be provided the rationale for this decision so that they can better prepare for future opportunities. (0211)

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