39 -- SEMI-AUTOMATED TRAY/TUB TAKE-AWAY MECHANISM FOR THE FSM 1000 FLAT SORTING MACHINE (SATTAM)

Notice Date

November 17, 2000

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

22082-8150

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

December 17, 2000

Point of Contact

Pauline McTeer, Purchasing Specialist, 703-280-7804, FAX 703-280-8412

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the contracting officer via (pmcteer@email.usps.gov)

Description

The U.S. Postal Service has a requirement for development and acquisition of a Semi-Automatic Tray Take-Away Mechanism for the FSM 1000 Flat Sorting Machine (FSM1000). The USPS is seeking to identify and pre-qualify sources capable of providing a semi-automatic tray takeaway mechanism (SATTAM) for participation in competitive testing at designated USPS processing and distribution center (P&DC) facilities during the March/April 2002 timeframe. The USPS anticipates conducting a 4 week test of differing SATTAM designs in order to evaluate and select a single supplier to provide and install takeaway mechanisms for 362 FSM 1000 Flat Sorting Machines in P&DCs nationwide. The USPS plans to issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) in January 2001 to those firms that are found to be pre-qualified under this program. The USPS plans a two-phase acquisition approach. The initial step will include awarded contracts to provide for a preliminary design and system modeling required to demonstrate an understanding of the problem and the feasibility of the design approach. An included option under that contract if exercised would include development of an abbreviated 12 bin prototype system to demonstrate the system capability in an In-plant Test. A second option would provide for a competitive test in a live mail environment. Any modifications or changes that a design supplier or team wishes to incorporate before the engineering model is moved to a live mail facility must be agreed to by USPS Engineering. Multiple awards for participation in this design and competitive test are anticipated. Under the second phase, the USPS plans to issue a separate production solicitation for approximately 362 Semi-Automatic Tray Take-Away Mechanisms for FSM 1000s in early to mid 2002. Only those firms who's options are exercised for participation in the competitive test will be considered for participation in the production award field. The results of the competitive test will be used in the evaluation and source selection of the production contract together with other technical and cost criterion which at this time is anticipated to be awarded by September 2002. For participation and consideration of inclusion within the competitive test field, the mechanism must be able to: detect a full FSM 1000 tray/tub which is ready to be placed on the take-away belt, interrupt the flow of flat mail to the tray/tub position during automatic take-away, detect other tray/tub(s) on the take-away belt to prevent collisions, provide access to the center of the machine for the operator to clear jams without stepping off the floor, and provide a procedure for removing all the tray/tubs on the takeaway belt at the end of the tour. The design of the semi-automatic tray takeaway system must fit into the existing FSM 1000 footprint and meet U.S. Postal Service requirements for safety and ergonomics. The design of the takeaway system must interface with the control system of the FSM 1000 machine. An interface specification will be provided with the statement of work. Concerning technical design information; With the addition of an automatic feeder, the throughput baseline of the FSM 1000 machine will be 10,000 mail pieces per hour, with increases to 12,000 mail pieces for intervals of 10 to 15 minutes. The jam rate of the FSM 1000 is one mail piece in 1,500 mail pieces. The design of the semi-automatic tray takeaway system must not impact the FSM 1000 such that the throughput is reduced or the jam rate is increased. The U.S. Postal Service expects to reduce the need for one sweeper on the FSM 1000 by incorporating a successful design of a tray takeaway system. The cost of this tray/tub takeaway system must result in return on investment savings for the U.S. Postal Service by reducing the need for one sweeper on the FSM 1000 machine. Interested firms are required to submit the following SATTAM capability statement information: 1) written material, drawings, floor space requirements, photos, videos, and other operating statistics that demonstrate the capability to provide the machine specifications listed above. 2) Location and use of any currently deployed automation machines of like size and complexity. 3) List of all Postal or commercial contracts performed within the last 5 years for similar requirements including contract number, dates of performance, customer's and Contracting Officer's name and phone number, and the dollar value of the contract. 4) Quality and reliability data relating to any similar projects. 5) Company's most recent financial statements. The USPS will evaluate the pre-qualification statements based on the following: 1) Technical capability to meet USPS requirements. 2) Quality and reliability. 3) Past Performance: The supplier must supply pertinent information such that the USPS can evaluate past performance. Past performance is based on the following criteria: a) Quality; b) Timeliness of Performance; c) Business relations; d) Cost control; and e) Supply Chain Management. This announcement does not in any way commit the USPS to test any equipment, or create an obligation to provide for any procurement award. Each acquisition noted above is contingent upon USPS funding approval. Interested firms may send the required information to USPS Automation Purchasing, Attn: Pauline McTeer, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield VA 22082-8150, no later than 12/17/00. The qualification statement should not exceed 25 pages. All inquiries must be in writing, no telephone requests will be accepted.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001121/39SOL001.HTM (W-322 SN5069F6)