Support for Mail Efficiency Study

The United States Department of Agriculture - National Finance Center Contracting Department, New Orleans, LA intends to award a sole source purchase order to Pitney Bowes - Group 1 Software to perform a Mailing Efficiency Assessment (MEA) and, as part of the assessment, provide an analysis on the use and generation of the Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB), which is expected to become a requirement of the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 2009. In November 2008, the USPS is making significant changes in its processes for mailings. In order to conform to the new processes, NFC needs contractor support from Pitney Bowes - Group 1 to assist in making the changes. Pitney Bowes produces, licenses and distributes the software. NFC will using their software that we own to run the files through to test the changes. The MEA will identify the extent or magnitude of the problem with Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA), possible causes of the UAA mail, shall propose high-level recommendations to mitigate or reduce the UAA, and to implement the IMB. NFC owns and uses this software and only Pitney Bowes has the expertise to support NFC in this effort. This purchase will be done under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (FAR 13) and Other than Full and Open Competition as authorized under FAR 6.302-1. This purchase is a Sole Source due to the compatibility of the requirement with existing Pitney Bowes Government owned equipment. The anticipated award date is 06 June 08; this notice is not a Request for Offers. A determination not to compete this procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.