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

D -- USPS UNIFORM ALLOWANCE PURCHASING CARD PROGRAM SOLICITATION SOL 102590-00-A-0054 DUE 041000 POC Derrick Barnette, Payment Technologies Specialist (202) 268-8506 WEB: United States Postal Service Business Opportunities, http://www.purchasing.gov. E-MAIL: Derrick Barnette's USPS email address, dbarnett@email.usps.gov. The United States Postal Service (USPS) seeks a financial contractor to convert its current paper based and highly manual Uniform Allowance program to an automated card based system. The Uniform Allowance program provides for the yearly purchase of authorized uniforms for over 460,000 eligible USPS employees. These purchases are limited to approximately 650 vendors, which are licensed by the USPS. The Uniform Allowance program is currently being piloted in three USPS areas (Pacific, Western, and Southeast) and Uniform Allowance Purchasing cards have been issued to approximately 146,000 USPS employees. The services contemplated under any resultant contract pertain to the replacement of cards and services for the initial three geographic areas, with national implementation for the remaining areas. In performance of this contract, the USPS seeks a financial contractor that possesses the following capabilities: Be Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) capable. EDI capable means being able to process and reportremittance information that accompanies payment and adheres to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), Accredited Standards Committee X.12 standards that specify format requirements and data specifications for the different EDI standards used by corporate originators and their financial contractor. Certify that it, or one of its affiliates, is a commercial bank Certify that it adheres to National Automated Clearing House (NACHA) ACH rules for commercial trade payment system processing. Be able to adhere to USPS specifications and protocols for file transmissions with USPS HQ Information Systems, Information Service Centers, and Accounting Service Centers. The anticipated fixed price contract will be for a 3-year base period, plus 2 -- 1 year options periods. The Request for Proposals (RFP), amendments and other related items will be posted on the USPS Business Opportunity Bulletin (BOB) under supplies and services and will be available for download from the following site http://www.purchasing.gov or the hotlink specified herein. The initial closing date for receipt of proposals is 11:59 p.m. ET, April 10, 2000. In order to allow sufficient time for the USPS to prepare and distribute responses to interested parties, all questions pertaining to the solicitation must be received on or before 5 p.m. ET, March 17, 2000. Interested offerors must forward requests to be placed on the bidders list to the mailing address above, via email at dbarnett@email.usps.gov, or by FAX at (202) 268-7742. If Internet capability is unavailable, interested parties must submit written verification stating such to Derrick Barnette at the following address so that hard copies of these documents may be provided. Telephone requests will not be honored. Note that the solicitation number UA200001 referenced within the hardcopy/softcopy of the solicitation is incorrect. Derrick Barnette United States Postal Service 475 L'Enfant Plaza, SW Room 1P831 Washington, DC 20260-5130 Posted 02/09/00 (W-SN423862). (0040)

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