A -- RADIO FREQUENCY (RFID) EVALUATION

Notice Date

November 21, 2000

Contracting Office

US Postal Service, Headquarters Automation Purchasing, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, Virginia 22082-8150

ZIP Code

22082-8150

Solicitation Number

N/A

Response Due

December 15, 2000

Point of Contact

Mr. Ted Howard, Purchasing Specialist, 703/280-7513; Mr. Mark Guilfoil, Contracting Officer, 703/280-7810

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the Purchasing Specialist (thoward2@email.usps.gov)

Description

The United States Postal Service (USPS), with the assistance of an RFID integration/test contractor, desires to evaluate the use of "passive" RFID for possible integration into its existing operations. This technology is anticipated to have application for 1) item management and tracking of individual unit loads (mail trays), 2) nested unit loads (multiple mail trays in aggregate containers and/or fully loaded containers in transportation equipment) and 3) capital equipment (containers, trucks, vans). The USPS evaluation process will encompass both domestic and international operations. Data from tracking is intended to be used within the USPS Information Platform to track workload and capital asset management and evaluation of mail transportation systems. As part of this evaluation, the Postal Service intends to test multiple "tag" and "reader" configurations for functionality and reliability in its operating environment. Such evaluation is targeted to lead to the selection of an optimal "tag" and "reader" configuration(s), frequency band(s), protocol(s), and portal configuration(s) appropriate for the Postal Services' environment. The Postal Service seeks an open system, in conformance with international and national RFID "item management" standards (ANSI 256, ISO/IEC 15960-15962,and ISO/IEC 18000 &18001) where multiple vendors supply compatible, interoperable and interchangeable (plug and play) equipment in an open and multi-source environment. To that end the Postal Service intends that the communications protocol(s) and reader interfaces lead to an open environment for this technology. Future requirements provide that the USPS anticipates equipping RFID within approximately 307 Processing & Distribution Centers (P&DC) and 75 Air Mail Centers (AMC). These facilities contain some 10 to 38 dock doors per P&DC or AMC respectively. Additional applications are intended for RFID reading equipment for some 9 million containers & pallets with permanent RFID tags. Further, the Postal Service anticipates using some 60 million multi-use mail trays. A disposable (single use) tag is anticipated for each tray use and a permanent "tag" for capital equipment. Our evaluation (anticipated commencing in Jan. 2001) will include two phases: a laboratory evaluation phase and a live postal environment phase. Parties interested in providing their equipment for testing on USPS property should submit a statement of qualifications, including references for past and present RFID deployments, and a catalog of commercially available equipment to the office address above. Interested parties should send four (4) complete copy sets before c.o.b. December 15, 2000. Electronic notifications of material being sent are welcome. Responses should be in original copy and format with a signature and date.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001124/ASOL007.HTM (W-326 SN507228)