USPS looking to rent package-delivery vans
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is looking to rent vans of up to 2 tons capacity which it can use to deliver packages and “fill in for vehicles out of service”. USPS invited companies to submit their proposals through a solicitation posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, FedBizOpps.gov, on Friday (21 August).
The USPS notice stated: “The contract will extend for a period of one year with an option to renew for one additional year.The total number of vehicles is unknown. We are projecting the estimated value of the contract could range into the upper six figures per year. However, there is NO GUARANTEE that the number of vehicle rentals will result in this level of spend.”
USPS added: “During the holiday season on[e] can anticipate that a single location may have a demand level of 50 to 100 vehicles.”
As previously reported, USPS is in the throes of organizing a fleet renewal programme, and is in the early stages of choosing a supplier or suppliers to provide the next generation of purpose-built mail delivery trucks.
The van rental scheme is, presumably, a stop-gap measure – and is mainly aimed at covering the extra demand during the peak holiday season. USPS used rental vans to cope with last year’s holiday season.
As USPS has consistently been posting quarterly losses, the costs associated with maintaining and renewing its fleet have been a regular source of debate.
The postal service’s plans could be complicated still further if the US Postal Innovation Act is enacted. The bill, which is currently making its way through the Senate and Congress, would call on USPS to use “more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly technology” for its vehicles.
