USPS awards contracts to six delivery vehicle suppliers

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has awarded contracts to six prime suppliers who together will produce 50 prototype vehicles as part of the next phase of the Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) programme. The six selected suppliers include AM General, Karsan, Mahindra, Oshkosh, Utilimaster, and VT Hackney and the contract awards are valued at $37.4m. The suppliers also have the discretion to team or subcontract with additional suppliers, and it is anticipated some will do so to develop the finished prototypes.

Half of the prototypes will feature hybrid and new technologies, including alternative fuel capabilities.

According to a statement issued by the USPS on Friday: “The prototypes will represent a variety of vehicle sizes and drive configurations, in addition to advanced powertrains and a range of hybrid technologies.”

USPS said that the suppliers will have about a year to develop and produce their prototypes. USPS then plans to test the vehicles in a range of different climates, topography, population centres and delivery environments.

The Postal Service also announced a forthcoming RFP for commercial off-the-shelf, right-hand drive delivery vehicles.