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

39 -- PRE-QUALIFICATION FOR USPS WOVEN POLYPROPYLENE MAIL SACKS SOL 102590-99-A-POLYMAILSACK DUE 073099 POC James Kenny,(202)268-4126 The United States Postal Service (USPS) will pre-qualify potential sources based on ability to produce and deliver various USPS specified woven polypropylene mail sacks. The mail sack purchases may include No.1, 2, or 3 size woven polypropylene mail sacks in either white or brown colors. Potential suppliers must pre-qualify for all of the woven polypropylene mail sacks. USPS encourages the use of partnering or subcontracting arrangements as long as they can assure the USPS of performance accountability, quality, and specific value-added contributions. After the pre-qualification, the USPS may award multiple contracts as a result of any solicitation. The best overall value obtained under proposals by pre-qualified suppliers will determine the resulting contract award. It should be noted the USPS may split awards based on the different products required. The supplier must be able to produce all of woven polypropylene mail sacks using its resources, or through subcontracting arrangements to present a complete solution. OVERVIEW The USPS is looking for a supplier that can produce and deliver USPS specified woven polypropylene mail sacks most effectively, delivering directly to designated Postal warehouses and/or Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) facilities. Based on historical data, annual purchases of woven polypropylene mail sacks may be of the types and quantities shown below. Option quantities and types may also be required. Item: No. 1, Color: White, Description: MAIL SACK (EIRS 01P), Qty.: 3,000,000 Item: No. 2, Color: White, Description: MAIL SACK (EIRS 02P), Qty.: 3,000,000 Item: No. 3, Color: White, Description: MAIL SACK (EIRS 04P), Qty.: 10,000,000 Item: No. 3, Color:Brown, Description: MAIL SACK (EIRS 05P), Qty.:10,000,000. SUPPLIER-SPECIFIC FACTORS Two supplier-specific factors are used for pre-qualification evaluation: past performance and supplier capability. A. PAST PERFORMANCE 1. Present a brief history of the organization, including products or services provided and a sampling of customers. 2. Provide data that substantiates past performance over the last 3 years. 3. Explain company's capability to produce conforming products at or above the required level. 4. Describe management's approach to continuous process improvement. 5. Show how the organization monitors and measures quality performance. 6. Include a brief summary of quality audit findings over the past 2 years. 7. Address human resource initiatives. 8. Include an in-depth plan on how subcontractor quality performance is monitored. 9. Describe company's supply chain management. B. SUPPLIER CAPABILITY 1. Products The supplier will be required to provide the mail sacks identified above in accordance with USPS drawings and specifications. Please note that there is a requirement that the "top (opening) edges be selvedge with a maximum of one loose end per inch. 2. Delivery The supplier will be required to arrange transportation for delivery of products directly to individual Postal warehouses or MTESC locations. Product deliveries must be made in accordance with the delivery schedule quantities and dates. The Contracting Officer may authorize accelerated deliveries. 3. Reports The supplier will be required to submit the following reports: a. Shipping Status Reports (monthly), b. Invoice Summary Reports (monthly), c. Quarterly Report of Small, Minority-owned and Woman-owned Businesses. 4. English Language Requirements Pre-qualification information and program/contract documents will be submitted in the English language and in U.S. dollars. 5. Billing/Payment The supplier will be required to submit a receiving report with each invoice for payment. 6. Company shall have a minimum of two years experience in the production of woven polypropylene sacks that can meet USPS mail sack requirements. 7. If Company has had claims made against the company by customers, subcontractors or suppliers since January 1, 1990, all information must be disclosed 8. If Company has filed for bankruptcy or proceedings against it, all information must be disclosed. 9. Company shall submit specific references (including project identifier and description, period of performance, dollar amount, client, and contact name and telephone number) for previous related work that your firm is currently performing or has completed within the last two years. 10. Company shall submit current financial statements. This includes both the Balance Sheet and Income Statement covering each of the company's immediate past two fiscal years. HOW TO RESPOND Interested parties must first demonstrate in a performance and capability statement that they are qualified to perform the work. This statement must specifically address the past performance and supplier capability factors listed above. A cover letter must be prepared on your firm's letterhead, must not exceed one (1) typed page, and must specifically identify: The USPS project title (a) The full legal name and address of your firm. (b) The date of submission. (c) The name, title, telephone number, fax number, and Internet e-mail address of your firm's principal point of contact. The performance and capability statement must be typed on 8 x 11 (letter size) paper, with a font no smaller than 10 point and 1" margins. Printing on both sides of the pages is encouraged and counts as two pages. Pages should be numbered. The performance and capability statement shall be organized in two sections: "Past Performance" and "Supplier Capability" following the numbered format detailed in the respective sections above. Immediately following these two sections, please provide a detailed summary of your approach to meeting the requirements, should your company be chosen as the supplier. Respondents shall submit their letter and performance and capability statement in original and four (4) copies to: James Kenny, III, Purchasing Specialist, United States Postal Service, Operational Equipment Purchasing, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 4541, Washington, DC 20260-6239. No telephone inquiries will be entertained. All questions or requests for clarification mustbe in writing, addressed to James Kenny via e-mail at jkenny@email.usps.gov or via FAX at 202/268-3888. EVALUATION Your performance and capability statement will be evaluated based on past performance and supplier capability factors stated above. The USPS evaluation team will review all responses and assign an overall "pass/fail" score. An overall passing score will indicate that your firm is qualified to compete for future USPS specified sack requirements. The contracting officer will make the final decision concerning a respondent's qualifications. All qualified suppliers may not be placed on the pre-qualified list if the purchase team determines (a) that a smaller group will provide adequate competition, or (b) that some respondents are considerably more qualified than others, thereby precluding contract opportunity for the less qualified. The USPS decision to pre-qualify suppliers is a business decision. Pre-qualification does not constitute contract award. It is the intent of the USPS to award any resulting contract(s) using the pre-qualified list of suppliers. Upon completion of the pre-qualification process, all respondents will be notified of the USPS' decision. It is the USPS' intention to conduct pre-qualifications for production of USPS specified woven polypropylene mail sacks every two years or as directed by the Contracting Officer. SELECTION Following review of all performance and capability statements, a list of those deemed most qualified to produce and deliver the required products will be established, and the pre-qualification status will be valid for a period up to two years. END OF NOTICE Posted 07/07/99 (W-SN351247). (0188)

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