United States Postal Service Electronic Parcel Lockers
United States Postal Service Electronic Parcel Lockers
Request for Information and Responder Prequalification
This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only. It provides an opportunity for the industry to verify the reasonableness and feasibility of the program objectives as well as promote competition. This pre-solicitation RFI synopsis is not to be construed as a commitment by the Postal Service, nor will the Postal Service pay for the information submitted in response. The Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to pay for the information solicited. This solicitation is issued for the purpose stated in Section 2.0, Program Objectives. Responses to this formal RFI are due no later than 5:00 PM EST on October 01, 2019.
1.0 Overview
The United States Postal Service (Postal Service) is seeking information regarding a package management solution that will place electronic parcel lockers in Postal Service identified locations. The Postal Service will install, operate, and maintain access to these lockers.
Based on the level of interest from the industry, the program will focus on developing Smart Locker solutions. The Postal Service may identify and pre-qualify candidates for a future solicitation aimed at demonstrating the design capabilities of the lockers to enable pickup of packages that cannot be successfully delivered to a residence or business, or as means for customers to redirect packages headed for those destinations to the lockers.
The Postal Service welcomes the cooperation of multiple entities that may be required to accomplish the objectives of this program.
2.0 Program Objectives
The Postal Service Smart Lockers will serve as a "last mile" delivery point for packages that cannot be delivered directly to the customer. These lockers will also provide a way for residential and/or businesses customers to pick up packages that were unsuccessfully delivered or for customers to redirect delivery of their packages. Customers will be able to redirect packages that were not successfully delivered to their residence or P.O. Boxes to the Postal Service Smart Locker, or customers can request their packages to be delivered to the Postal Service smart locker based on customer directions transmitted electronically to the Postal Service.
3.0 Specific Requirements
The proposed Postal Service Smart Locker solution is being designed for:
• Flexibility (expandable/reconfigurable)
• Easy installation or assembly, as applicable
• Security (most would be located in 24 hour public accessible locations)
• Uses technology that can easily adapt to Postal Service IT systems, and with a simple customer interface that can quickly be updated as technology evolves or as use cases are expanded.
Under current development planning, the Postal Service Smart Lockers Smart Lockers will have the design characteristics as follows:
• Unit will have 44 - 90 lockers
• Locker compartments should come in at least three different sizes, with the largest compartment able to accommodate parcels up to 22.5" x 13.5" x 16" in size and weigh up to 70 lbs
• Ability to electronically record inventory and use of all lockers
• Ability to transfer data associated with drop-offs, pickups, and time packages spent in lockers
• Ability to read barcodes (QR codes and other 2D barcodes), that engage locker(s) to open
• Ability to integrate seamlessly with Postal Service backend interfaces
Security Requirements
For Postal approval, Smart Lockers must be tested for resistance to tampering and unauthorized entry through the use of tools such as screwdrivers, flat plates, knives, pry bars, vise grips, pliers, chisels, and punches for a period not to exceed 3 minutes for each feature tested. No pry tools shall exceed 18 inches in length. Because of the critical nature of the maintenance door (if any), a hammer shall be used in tandem with the other tools during tests of this item. The head weight of any hammer used shall not exceed 3 pounds."
Please include the following your response:
a) A listing of the materials and finishes employed
b) Description of the means and methods with which the unit is secured.
c) Description of the unit's power and any communications requirements
d) Description of the efforts needed to secure power or communications connections from tampering
e) Description of any IT hardware or software employed
Smart Locker Configurations
The base locker system should consist of 44 Lockers (16 small, 23 Medium and 5 Large) with optional pricing for addition modules, with varying sizes of lockers, to be added to the base system.
Internal locker dimensions should be approximately:
Size Depth Width Height
Small 22.5" 13.5" 4.9"
Medium 22.5" 13.5" 10.5"
Large 22.5" 13.5" 16.25"
Please include a sketch and or drawing detaining the overall dimensions of the locker and all power or communication connections
4.0 Federal Compliance Requirements
The prototype electronic parcel lockers must be designed to meet all federal, state, and local requirements pertaining to public parcel lockers. In addition, the electronic parcel lockers must meet all applicable federal and state requirements including but not limited to:
a) Fair Housing Act (FHA)
b) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and with American National Standards (ANS) developed by the American National Standards Institute
c) Compliance to FCC requirements ( i.e. Part 15 and Part 68 as applicable)
d) Compliance to USPS AS-805 and AS-805(H)
e) Compliance to all "local requirements" Some locations have additional requirements beyond federal and state i.e. Cook County
If any federal or state waiver, deviation, or permit is required in order for the Postal Service to operate a proposed prototype electronic parcel lockers on public property(?), the supplier must be solely responsible for obtaining the required waiver, deviation, or permit from the appropriate authority at no additional cost to the Postal Service.
5.0 Prequalification Process
The Postal Service Prequalification process is a method whereby the abilities of potential responders to meet specific Postal Service requirements are evaluated and scored to provide a ranking of the most qualified responders. In general, the Postal Service reviews and evaluates all documentation submitted by interested responders in accordance with the evaluation factors listed in the Prequalification Criteria in Section 6.0 below; therefore, responders should focus their responses to address these areas of interest. The criteria are listed in the order of importance; therefore, Performance Capability is of more importance than Current and Past Performance and so forth. Failure to address a requested item or submit adequate documentation will negatively impact the responder's evaluation and may result in a low ranking and possible exclusion from participation in a future solicitation.
Based upon the results of the evaluations and scores, the most qualified responders will be placed on the prequalified list. The number of prequalified sources for an acquisition varies by requirement, however a sufficient number will be included to ensure adequate competition and will include those responders that were determined to be the most qualified to meet our requirements and program objectives. Some responders may be deemed considerably more qualified than others, thereby precluding opportunities to the less qualified. The Postal Service will provide written notification to each responder indicating whether or not they have been placed on the prequalified responders list.
The prequalification process denoted herein does not constitute an assurance that a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued. However, if a RFP is issued, it will be provided to each of the responders placed on the prequalified list. Should a RFP be issued, it may or may not result in a subsequent award, and the Postal Service reserves the right to make more than one award to procure the goods or services required. The Postal Service may also elect to use the information received in the responses to this pre-qualification process to satisfy subsequent business needs.
6.0 Prequalification Criteria
Responders seeking consideration to be placed on the prequalified supplier list must provide information addressing the following criteria:
6.1 Performance Capability - Provide information for each of the sub-factors listed below that describes Responder's capabilities to support the Program Objectives:
a) Technical knowledge related to autonomous electronic parcel lockers technology
b) Engineering resources - identify key personnel and their expertise
c) Facilities - identify location, space available, equipment
d) Manufacturing - in-house or outsource
6.2 Current and Past Performance and Experience Related to autonomous electronic parcel lockers technology - Document support you provided of similar equipment within the past three (3) years which demonstrates your experience in projects of similar size and scope.
6.3 Quality Systems - Document your quality control system, including quality controls for subcontractors. Describe your quality assurance process and elaborate if you are ISO compliant or certified.
6.4 Financial Responsibility - Provide sufficient financial information, such as balance sheet or income statement, to allow determination that the responder has sufficient resources/operational capital available to ensure successful contract performance.
7.0 Submission and Deliverables
7.1 Responders must submit a single integrated response that addresses all areas described in Section 6.0 above. Refer to "U.S. Postal Service RFI 3A-19-A-0121" in all correspondence.
7.2 Responders interested in responding to this RFI must send both a hard copy and a soft copy of their information containing sufficient detail to address each of the Prequalification Criteria factors outlined under Section 7.0. Only soft copies submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format will be reviewed by the Postal Service. Submissions are limited to no more than 30 pages (excluding cover) and 1-inch margins on 8.5" x 11" paper (single sided, minimum 10 point font). Any submitted material in excess of this limit will not be reviewed. Keep your responses consolidated. All submittals must be written in English.
To facilitate Postal Service review, please address and tab each Prequalification Criteria separately according to the letter/number listed in Section 6.0. Section headings must match the evaluation criteria.
7.3 Contact information must be included for responder's technical and/or administrative points of contact (names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses) to enable discussions to clarify information.
7.4 Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Price - Based upon the requirements identified above, please provide an estimated ROM unit price for an initial purchase of your proposed solution(s).
7.5 Responders that include in their responses data they do not want used or disclosed by the Postal Service for any purpose other than RFI may take the following steps:
a. Include on the title page or in the introductory material of their response the following: "This response includes data that may not be duplicated, used, or disclosed outside the Postal Service - in whole or in part - for any purpose other than to evaluate this response. This restriction does not limit the Postal Service's right to use information contained in the data if it is obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in sheets (Responder insert numbers or other identification of sheets)."
b. Mark each sheet of data they wish to restrict with the following legend: "Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this response."
All questions regarding this RFI and prequalification process must be submitted in writing no later than 5 P.M. EST on September 06, 2019.
Send any questions to:
Name: Jingjie (Jane) Liu
Address:
U.S. Postal Service
Mail Protection & Letter Technology
8403 Lee Hwy - Dewey Building
Merrifield, VA 22082-8150
Email: Jingjie.liu@usps.gov
Phone: (O) 703-280-7848
All questions will be consolidated and Postal Service responses provided on or before September 12, 2019 as an amendment to the Federal Business Opportunity (FBO) announcement.
Responder's final submission of information to this RFI must be received no later than 5 P.M. EST on October 01, 2019.
Submit your information to:
Name: Jingjie (Jane) Liu
Address:
U.S. Postal Service
Mail Protection & Letter Technology
8403 Lee Hwy - Dewey Building
Merrifield, VA 22082-8150
Email: Jingjie.liu@usps.gov
Phone: (O) 703-280-7848
Jingjie Liu, Supply management specialist, Phone 7032807848, Email jingjie.liu@usps.gov
