USPS looking at sensor technology for mail tracking

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced that wants to hear from companies which can provide technologies capable of tracking items as they move through the postal network, so customers can view their progress “in real-time (or near real-time)”. In a Request for Information (RFI) published earlier this month, USPS said: “The expectation is for tracking technology that uses a device that can be placed on, or within, an item, provides real-time (or near real-time) tracking location capability, and provides an interface that allows for tracking data to be collected and displayed allowing for greater visibility.

“The USPS would be interested in tracking technology that may offer additional data collection features, such as temperature or shock monitoring.

“The USPS is interested in technology, using current RF communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, RFID, Near Field Communication, cellular, Wi-Fi, etc.”

Companies whose technologies appear to meet USPS’s needs may be invited to participate in pilot tests “in the near future”.

Responses to the RFI must be submitted by 3 July, by email only, to Andrew Hopkins, Contracting Officer, at the following e-mail address: [email protected].

Click here to access the RFI documents.