US Postal Service, Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, Virginia 22082-8150

A -- USPS AUTOMATIC FLAT/SMALL PARCEL BUNDLE TRAY LIDDER/UN-LIDDER SOL 102590-98-A-0044 DUE 012698 POC Mr. Vance Cathell (703)280-7803 WEB: Business Opportunity Bulletin, www.purchasing.gov. E-MAIL: Purchasing Specialist, vcathell@email.usps.gov. The United States Postal Service is seeking sources and qualification statements from firms who are interested in being considered for the design, manufacturing, and test of an automatic flat/small parcel bundle (SPB) tray lidder and un-lidder machines with an option for five additional machines. Multiple awards may be made. These machines, which do not currently exist within the Postal Service will automatically place lids on flats and SPB trays and remove lids from flats and SPB trays. The automatic flat/ SPB tray lidder and un-lidder can be a self-contained unit or two modules consisting of a strap removal and containment unit and lidding/un-lidding unit having the ability to install a lid or remove a lid from the flat or the SPB trays, and placing the lid on a respective container for that lid. The machine shall perform this function without causing undue wear and tear to trays or lids. The lid is to be installed with the two end flaps of the lid tucked into the tray between the mail and the hand hold ends of the tray, and the two side flaps of the lid over the outside of the long side of the tray. The machine shall be designed to operate so a tray containing mail, fed lengthwise from a conveyor will have the lid removed or installed as required. The automatic flat/SPB tray lidder/un-lidder shall consist of a means of detecting the type of tray and presents of strapping or a lid, removing the strapping, and removing or installing a lid as required. In the instance where a lid is installed the machine shall provide a signal for an automatic strapping machine to strap the tray. The machine shall separate the straps in a container for recycling. The conveyors shall be powered-roller conveyors. The machine shall have safety shielding, applicable interlock, appropriate start and stop controls, and graphic machine status, fault and diagnostic display. We intend to provide access to the draft Statement of Work for this requirement on our web site at www.purchasing.gov. If not available at that site, it can betransmitted via electronic mail or other means from the purchasing specialist. We are seeking qualification statements from only those firms who can adequately demonstrate the following capabilities: (1) Design of automated material handling machinery, (2) Historic performance on similar contracts for the design of mechanized material handling and/or packaging machinery, (3) Knowledge of Ergonomics and Human Factors Engineering, (4) Knowledge of shipping containers, (5) Knowledge of robotic and mechanized material handling requirements, and (6) Manufacture of highly automated material handling machinery. Only those firms who are determined to be prequalified will be considered for any resulting contracts. Interested firms should prepare a discussion of any preliminary design ideas and a summary of their qualifications, including the most recent financial statements, not to exceed twenty single-sided pages, which must demonstrate that they possess, at the minimum, the six capabilities described above. The qualification statement must be submitted with an original and 2 copies to the address above no later than 26 January 1998. (0364)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0001 19980105\A-0001.SOL)