75 -- Thermal Transfer Printer Technology

The United States Postal Service is currently seeking information on available printer technology in the area of thermal transfer label printing. Specifically, the USPS has a need to print forwarding address information for use by letter carriers at it?s mail delivery units . The objective of this notice is to gather product information from current sources of technology that can meet the requirements specified herein. This is a request for information only and is not a solicitation to purchase equipment or services. Information gathered through this announcement will be used to prequalify sources for a competitive product evaluation at the USPS and the opportunity to submit a proposal for this solution. Prequalified sources will be notified within three weeks of this announcement. Details will follow with a solicitation requesting a proposal from suppliers. Requests for information and the performance data submission should be provided to Mr. Mark S. Travers, Contracting Officer, Automation CMC, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA, 22082-8150, Telephone (703) 280-7953. BACKGROUND: The USPS is deploying the Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) on a nationwide basis. As part of this effort, there is a requirement to print address move information for use by individual letter carriers at the various mail delivery units located throughout the United States and select territories. The PARS deployment will require the purchase and deployment of approximately 30,000 printers at the mail delivery units. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: The printers must be capable of meeting the following performance requirements: Print Method: Thermal Transfer Resolution: 203 DPI Print Length: 39? Print Width: 4.09? maximum Print Speed: 4? The printers will interface with existing computers and workstations on the USPS network running Windows XP operating systems. The connection will be USB interface to the computer. Paper and other consumables will be provided by the Postal Service. SCHEDULE AND DELIVERABLES: For purposes of this technology assessment and market survey, potential vendors shall provide performance data for available systems for USPS review. This information should include a complete description of a working unit which substantiates the vendor?s ability to meet the requirements in this specification. This written information shall be provided no later than October 23, 2006. Minor variations to the values expressed within the above specification will be considered by the USPS if such systems are currently in use in other postal administrations or market applications. Following USPS review of the submitted system performance data, pre-qualification determination will be made and competitive evaluation testing plans will be furnished. The prequalified suppliers are firms whose record of performance in the market place has demonstrated their ability to perform to consistently high standards. The USPS will not provide funding for development activities associated with meeting the specified requirements. Interested parties of this sources sought are to submit a total of two copies (one hard copy and one soft copy) of any company promotional handouts, brochures, catalogs, technology performance specifications, and operations manuals of equipment that meets or exceeds these specifications and requirements to the address provided in this announcement. Overly elaborate responses are neither expected nor required. The USPS by issuance of this notice makes no commitment to acquisition of any thermal printing technology.