1. INTRODUCTION The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is interested in qualified meter suppliers who are able to provide leased, USPS Postage Technology Management (PTM) approved, postage evidencing devices (PEDs) to selected retail stores across the nation that participate in the Contract Postal Unit (CPU) program and are current users of the RAMM (Realtime Accounting Management & Metering) mailing system supplied by Triner Scale. Our goal is to provide customers with convenience and enhanced access to postal services by offering these services through retail partnerships. 2. SCOPE The meter supplier will be responsible for shipping the postage evidencing devices (the device) to retail outlets identified by the USPS. The meter supplier will also be responsible for all CPU support and service functions for the complete solution (Mailing System and PED) including maintaining inventory of all equipment, shipping the devices via USPS to their destinations, initializing the devices, replacing damaged or broken devices, providing technical support to CPUs for set up and ongoing operations via a help desk, updating the system for functionality enhancements and rate changes, accumulating and reporting revenue and sales data and providing the consumables required for operating the systems. 3. REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Introduction All customer support supplied by the meter supplier, including but not limited to shipping of devices and repairing and replacing devices, must be in accordance with the following regulations: - USPS Domestic Mail Manual, (Including but not limited to Section P030 - Postage Meters and Meter Stamps) at http://pe.usps.gov - Title 39 Code of Federal Regulations part 501, Authorization to Manufacture and Distribute Postage Meters at www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr - Information Security Assurance (ISA) Process Publication at www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/hand/as805.pdf 3.2 Device Requirements The meter supplier will provide a PED capable of being integrated into the RAMM system; all components must be electronically linked and operate as a unit. 3.2.1 The current Mailing System is fully integrated; mail piece weight is automatically sent to the rating component and displayed to the operator, postage required is displayed to the operator and automatically provided to the postage evidencing device, and a successful print message and current PED status is provided back to the system after a successful print, receipts are automatically printed based on data available from the system. The meter supplier must supply a PED capable of being integrated into the system described above. 3.2.2 The meter supplier must have the capability to transmit both revenue and daily sales data that originates from each CPU to the USPS and download postage at the device's site using the meter supplier's USPS PTM approved computerized meter resetting system and an ACH debit process. This data must be accessible and printable at the CPU's location. Additional performance reports will be required based on the data collected from the CPU and support activities. 3.2.3 The device must be designed for a CPU environment and be capable of reliable and jam free operation printing between 10 and 1000 Information Based Indicia (IBI) compliant impressions on an adhesive postage label per business day with widely varying times between transactions. The device must be able to complete a transaction in 6 seconds or less, beginning on receipt of the print command from the mailing system and ending when the postage label is available to the operator. This is not an average transaction time; no time to imprint can exceed 6 seconds. 3.2.4 All remote capabilities must be accomplished via dial up, using analog phone lines. 3.2.5 The meter supplier must provide quick reference guides and training materials to assist CPUs in the operation and troubleshooting of the device. 3.2.6 Device must automatically change the calendar date to the following calendar date at a pre-determined time. This time will be different for each retail store based on the time of the mail and package pick-up. In addition, the device must have a manual override capability so that the calendar date can be manually adjusted forward only. 3.3 Operational Overview The following section provides an overview of current operations and the operating environment. 3.3.1 Current Operations - The CPUs that are supplied with the mailing systems are located in retail establishments throughout the United States and are operated by trained store personnel. Initial set up and training is supported by USPS retail specialists; however, the meter supplier is responsible for insuring that the initialization process is successful. Once in operation, daily sales are collected by the RAMM units and uploaded to the meter supplier after the CPU closes for the day. Sales data is consolidated by the meter supplier and reported, broken out by Category Code, to the Postal Service via the National Meter Accounting and Tracking System (NMATS) on a daily basis. In addition the meter supplier will furnish to Postal HQ Retail reports showing shipping status, meters not reset, and historical status indicating when meters have been exchanged with a CPU. 3.3.2 Operating Environment - CPUs are generally housed within climate controlled retail establishments; however, PEDs and associated consumables must be capable of operating reliably and being stored in non-humidity controlled environments. 3.4 Pricing The meter supplier should submit already published price list for meters they deem able to meet the requirements as described above. 4. Contact Information Responses must include the meter supplier representative's name(s), title, business phone, fax, email and mailing address. Meter suppliers should submit 6 copies of their response package to this RFI, by Wednesday, May 3, 2006, to the following address: Caroline Z. Conway United States Postal Service Travel, Retail and Temporary Services Category Management Center Retail Products & Services Category Team 3300 S. Parker Road, Suite 400 Aurora CO 80016-3500 Responses to the RFI should not exceed 20 pages. Questions regarding the content, objectives, or nature of this RFI must be submitted in writing by email to caroline.z.conway@usps.gov. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE ENTERTAINED. By responding to this RFI, interested meter suppliers have an opportunity to share their qualifications with the Postal Service. Any discussions following a response to this RFI will be for postal informational purposes only. Such discussions will not mean that a specific government requirement has been formulated or that a contract will ensue. The Postal Service's decision to pursue discussions with respondents to this RFI will be based upon a judgment of those companies that offer the best business opportunity. The Postal Service may engage in discussions with multiple respondents. Based upon the Postal Service's assessment of responses to the RFI and the business needs of the Postal Service, we may choose to issue a Request for Proposal that could result in a contract or may continue with services provided through the existing supplier. All companies that respond to this RFI will be informed of the Postal Service's decision.
