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

39 -- DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING OF AUTOMATIC MAIL CARTRIDGE LOADER AND UNLOADER MACHINE SOL n/a POC Vance Cathell (703)280-7803 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via email, vcathell@email.usps.gov. The Postal Service is reassessing it's current prequalification list for the subject procurement. This purchase was first synopsized in the CBD posting date 29 September 1997 through two separate announcements (one for the loader and one for the unloader). These two purchases were subsequently combined into a single purchase. This announcement provides notice that the Postal Service is interested in adding new suppliers to the list and is publizing this opportunity through this notice. For the Loader, the USPS has a requirement for the design, development, installation, and testing of prototypes for an Automatic Mail Cartridge Loader Machine. The USPS has underway programs to use robots and rigid mail cartridges for processing mail within Postal Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DC's). Mail enters the P&DC's in standard EMM letter trays, then the mail is automatically transferred into mail cartridges that are compatible with automated processing equipment. After the mail has been transferred from the EMM trays to mail cartridges, the mail cartridges will be transported to sorting machines for processing. The USPS does not have equipment available today to transfer the letter mail from EMM trays to cartridges. The new machine will need to receive empty cartridges and loaded EMM trays from conveyors, transfer the letter mail from the EMM trays to mail cartridges and feed empty EMM trays and loaded mail cartridges onto take away conveyors. The future potential for this machine exceeds 1,000 units. For the Unloader, the USPS has a requirement for the design, development, installation, and testing of prototypes for an Automatic Mail Cartridge Unloader Machine. The USPS has underway programs to use robots and mail cartridges for processing of mail within Postal Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DC's). Processed letter mail for outgoing operations will not leave the P&DC's in the mail cartridges, but will be transferred to standard EMM mail trays. After the mail has been transferred fromthe mail cartridges to the EMM trays, the trays will be sleeved, strapped, and shipped around the country. The USPS does not have equipment available today to transfer the mail from mail cartridges to EMM trays. The new machine will need to receive loaded mail cartridges and empty EMM trays from conveyors, transfer the mail from the mail cartridges to EMM trays and feed empty cartridges and loaded EMM trays onto take away conveyors. The future potential for this machine exceeds 1,000 units. We are seeking qualification statements from only those firms who can adequately demonstrate the following capabilities: (1) successful past performance in the design and test of automated material transfer systems, (2) the ability to develop automated equipment controls, (3) experience with mail handling equipment, and (4) the availability of existing technology that can be modified to build, test, and deliver prototypes complete within 26 weeks after the award of a contract. Only those firms who are determined to be prequalified will be considered for any resulting contracts. The prequalification list will be in effect for one year, though it may be modified by the Postal Service at our discretion. Suppliers currently in the prequalification list need not provide a new submission. Interested firms should prepare a discussion of preliminary design ideas and a summary of their qualifications, including the most recent financial statements, not to exceed twenty (20) single-sided pages, which must demonstrate that they possess the capabilities described above. Firms who are determined to be prequalified will have to sign a non-disclosure agreement regarding the cartridge design for further participation in the project. The qualification statement must be submitted with an original and three (3) copies to the address above no later than March 4, 1998. (0049)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0217 19980220\39-0002.SOL)