Social Security Administration, Office of Acquisition and Grants, 1710 Gwynn Oak Avenue, Baltimore, Md. 21207-0696

74 -- MAINTENANCE OF GOVERNMENT-OWNED EQUIPMENT, CONTINUED LEASE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE, AND PURCHASE REPLACEMENT PARTS FROM PITNEY BOWES CORP. SOL SSA-RFP-98-3466 DUE 010598 POC Elizabeth Clark Tel: (410) 965-59465 The Social Security Administration (SSA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Pitney Bowes Corporation for maintenance of SSA owned Pitney Bowes equipment, continuation of lease and maintenance of Pitney Bowes equipment, software in support of Pitney Bowes equipment, and the purchase of spare/replacement parts for said equipment. The requirement is for a base term of 6 months with 4 12-month options. Pitney Bowes is the only known source capable of providing these services. The SSA owned mail metering system components included in this requirement are manufactured by Pitney Bowes and include, in whole or in part, the following interfaced equipment and components: electronic postal scales, mailing machines, monitors, CPU/keyboards, report printers and electronic postage meters. SSA requires maintenance for all of the equipment listed above, except the electronic postal meters. All electronic postage meters are currently leased from and maintained by Pitney Bowes. The rate change insurance required is also for the above mail metering systems. Any new equipment acquired through this contract will be for the sole purpose of replacing worn components and/or upgrading existing Pitney Bowes mail metering systems. Electronic postage Meters: The US Postal Service requires postage meters be leased and has authorized leases from only four manufacturers, one of which is Pitney Bowes. The Pitney Bowes meters included in this requirement are the only postage meters compatible with the existing SSA owned mail metering equipment. Rate Change Insurance: Rate change insurance consists of Pitney Bowes patented and manufactured chip/cartridge or software specifically designed for Pitney Bowes mail metering equipment. Pitney Bowes holds the copyright and source code to this software. Thus no other company manufactures a rate change product compatible with Pitney Bowes equipment and no other source can meet this requirement. Maintenance: The 2000 SSA mail sites are located throughout the United States and its territories. Pitney Bowes is the only known source with its~ own nation- wide service organization servicing Pitney Bowes equipment and the only known supplier for providing replacement/spare parts. Solicitation number SSA-RFP-98-3466 is expected to be released approximately 3/1/98. Other firms capable of providing these services may request a copy of the solicitation and must submit complete details of their services and capability and any other pertinent data within 15 days of this announcement. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the agency. The government will not pay for information received and no contract will be awarded based on responses to this announcement. (0353)

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