Let's Do Business
Publication 5-A
July 2001
We Are the U.S. Postal Service
The Postal Service is one of the largest service organizations in the world and, as a result, one of America’s biggest buyers.
Moving the mail to nearly every home and business in the United States takes a gigantic effort. We work in more than 38,000 facilities throughout the nation, and every day we collect, process, and deliver more than 650 million pieces of mail. We operate our business through what we sell — virtually all of our revenue comes from the sale of postage and services to the American people, not from their taxes. Our annual revenue exceeds $64 billion.
We may have among the most varied set of needs in the United States — needs that each year translate into more than tens of thousands of contract opportunities worth billions of dollars. Purchases range from asphalt to airplanes, carrier satchels to communications satellites, and real estate to robotics.
The Postal Service depends on you to provide quality services and supplies to meet our operational needs. This publication tells you what, where, and how we buy, and how you can do business with us. So let us know what you can offer, and let’s do business!
What We Buy
To move the mail, we buy a great variety of goods and services. These can be grouped into three general commodity categories:
Supplies, services, and equipment.
Facilities (including design, construction, and related services) and real estate.
Mail transportation services of all types.
The lists on the following pages show selected goods and services bought by our purchasing organizations. Suppliers should note, however, that our local buying process makes virtually every Postal Service facility a purchasing organization, at least to some extent (http://www.usps.com/business/buyloc.htm).
Headquarters and Headquarters Field Organizations
Supplies, Services, and Equipment
Services
Advertising
Consulting
Training
Personnel support
Elevator maintenance
Operational Equipment
Vehicle purchases
Mail transportation equipment
Retail and vending equipment
Printing
Publications
Labels
Marketing materials
Stamps
Envelopes
Information Technology
Information systems (hardware and software)
Satellite transponders
Telecommunications (hardware and software)
All associated services
Automation
Automated mail processing equipment
Research and development of automated equipment
Spare Parts for Various Postal Equipment (bought only at Topeka, KS)
Personal computer boards
Belting
Bearings
Nuts and bolts
Facilities
Real estate — leasing or purchasing
Major building design and construction
Construction management
Repairs and alterations
Mail Transportation and Related Services
Air taxi services
Rail services
Terminal handling services
Water services — international and domestic
Highway transportation
Trailer leasing
Area Offices
Supplies, Services, and Equipment
Contract postal units
Vehicle leasing
Vehicle maintenance
Elevator maintenance
Cleaning services
Trash removal
Food services
ADP equipment
Environmental services
Grounds maintenance
Snow removal
Miscellaneous supplies and services
District Offices
Facility repairs and alterations
Supplies and services (up to $10,000)
Who can buy what I sell?
For local buys not more than $10,000
Postmasters.
District purchasing specialists.
Other district and area office personnel.
For purchases over $10,000
Contracting officers at:
Purchasing and Materials service centers.
Facilities service offices.
District and area offices (for repairs and alterations only, and not exceeding $100,000).
Distribution network offices.
Headquarters.
How can they buy what I sell?
For buys not more than $10,000
Over-the-counter purchases.
Credit card purchases.
Purchase orders.
Imprest funds.
For purchases over $10,000
Purchase orders.
Contracts.
How can I find out about opportunities?
Post office notices.
Local advertising.
Commerce Business Daily (CBD).
Journal of Commerce (transportation).
Trade conferences.
Trade and industry association notices.
Business Opportunity Bulletins (BOB).
Listed below are Postal Service Internet web site addresses that will provide you detailed information on the Postal Service Supplier Diversity Program.
The web site address for the main page of the Postal Service Internet is http://www.usps.com.
Selling to the U.S. Postal Service
http://www.usps.com/business
Publications
Let’s Do Business — Pub. 5
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub5e.pdf
Purchasing Manual
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/manuals/pm/pmtc.pdf
Supplier Diversity Terms — Pub.
554
http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub554.pdf
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
http://www.usps.com/foia
Market Opportunities
About Market Opportunities
http://www.usps.com/business/market.htm
Business Opportunities —
Business Opportunity Bulletins (BOB)
http://www.usps.com/business/wantad.htm
Supplier Registration — Supplier
Automated Database (SADI)
http://www.usps.com
Click on “About USPS”
Click on “Doing Business With Us”
Click on “Supplier Registration (SADI)”
Buying Locations and Contacts
http://www.usps.gov/business/buyloc.htm
Information for Suppliers
Quality Supplier Awards
http://www.usps.com
Click on “About USPS”
Click on “Doing Business With Us”
Click on “Quality Supplier Awards”
Supplier Diversity FAQs
http://www.usps.com/business/faq.htm
Supplier Diversity — Statement
of Commitment
http://www.usps.com/business/supply.htm