SOURCES SOUGHT
99 -- Track and Trace Scanners
- Notice Date
- 3/7/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 491110
— Postal Service
- Contracting Office
- United States Postal Service, Supplies and Services Purchasing, Automation CMC, 8403 Lee Highway Dewey Bldg, Merrifield, VA, 22082-8150
- ZIP Code
- 22082-8150
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-030706
- Response Due
- 3/31/2006
- Archive Date
- 4/15/2006
- Description
- The United States Postal Service is currently seeking information on available technology and supply sources in the area of mail processing barcode reading technology that can provide products that function to the general specifications described in this notice. Specifically, the USPS has a need to read and process special services barcodes on its fleet of parcel mail processing equipment. The objective of this notice is to gather product information from current sources of technology that can meet the requirements specified herein. This is a request for information only and is not a solicitation to purchase equipment or services. Information gathered through this announcement will be used to prequalify sources for a competitive product evaluation at the USPS and the opportunity to submit a proposal for this solution. Prequalified sources will be notified within three weeks of this announcement. Details will follow with a solicitation requesting a proposal from suppliers. Requests for information and the performance data submission should be provided to Mr. John D. Saldivar, Purchasing and supply Management Specialist, Automation CMC, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA, 22082-8150, Telephone (703) 280-7863. Requirements Specification Track & Trace Scanner (TATS) Program. BACKGROUND: The USPS is adding enroute visibility to components of its distribution network. One strategy in this overarching initiative is collecting enroute barcode scans from mail bar-coded with USPS value added services such as Delivery Confirmation? and Signature Confirmation?. The Small Parcel Bundle Sorter (SPBS) is legacy mail processing equipment technology used for sorting small parcels and bundles. SPBS transport Parcels on Carrier Cells. The Track & Trace Scanner (TATS) solution will be mounted to the SPBS equipment in the ?recentering area? of the SPBS sorter and will read and report value-added service barcode scans from mail sorted by the SPBS. The technology source must not only be capable of meeting the barcode reading technology requirements described herein but must also be capable of designing the complete TATS mounting solution assembly equipped with status indicator lights for the SPBS application, assembling and distributing complete TATS installation kits to USPS locations with SPBS, and producing a Technical Data Package, solution handbook, and instructional DVD. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: 1. The barcode reader solution shall at a minimum read the following barcode symbologies: USS Code Interleaved 2 of 5, USS Code 128 (all subsets), UCC/EAN 128, and USS Code 39 (USS Code 3 of 9). 2. The solution must read at the accuracy level specified for all the symbologies referenced above at the minimum allowable printing standards permitted by USPS publications. These publications include USPS Publication 91, DMM S918, DMM S19, and USPS Publication 97. Minimum barcode standards include but are not restricted to ANSII Code Quality ratings of A, B, or C, narrow bars or spaces as little as 0.013 inch (this minimum must be readable at all depths of field), and a minimum white space reflectance (Rs) as low as 50 percent when measured in the red spectral range between 630 nanometers and 675 nanometers and a maximum bar reflectance (Rb) as high as 25 percent. 3. Scan coverage must span the top of the parcel as well as up to a 45 degree angle decline on all four sides from the top of the parcel when the parcel surface is oriented parallel to the Carrier Cell. Barcode read rate on the top of the parcel must meet or exceed 99 percent. Barcode read rate on the 45 degree angle must meet or exceed 95 percent. 4. The solution shall read parcels with a minimum size of 2.5? x 2.5? x 0.1?and a maximum size of 12? x 15? x 12?. 5. The distance between the Barcode Reader and the Carrier Cell shall be a minimum of 4 feet. 6. The barcode reader shall read the symbologies specified at the quality and accuracy levels specified in a SPBS Carrier Cell speed range of 250 to 350 ft/min in conjunction with the Carrier Cell specifications listed below. If the barcode reader requires adjusting to achieve the required read rates at the speed range specified the vendor shall provide an optical sensor (or similar apparatus) mounted in proximity to the Barcode reader to detect the speed of the SPBS Carrier Cell. In addition to prompting barcode reader adjustments the cell speed sensing apparatus must alert the scanner to go into safe mode when the SPBS is not in operation. The SPBS has two speed settings measuring approximately 273 fpm and 343 fpm. SPBS carrier cells are 15.5? wide with a 22.2? pitch. There is a 2? Separation between carrier cells. 7. The Barcode Reader shall not transmit duplicate barcode strings for a single Special Service label pass through the barcode reading zone. 8. The barcode reader shall report the decoded barcode data via RS-232 interface with the following RS-232 parameters: Baud rate = 19200, Data Bits = 8, Parity = None, Stop Bits = 1 and Flow Control = NONE. 9. In the case of a laser-based solution the scanner shall be a Food and Drug Administration Class 1, 2, or 2A device under 21 CFR 1040.10, or Class 1, 1M, and 2 under International Electrotechnical Commission Standard 60825-1. FDA Classes 3A, 3B, and 4 or IEC Classes 2M, 3M, 3R, and 4 shall not be used as barcode scanners for this application. The scanning solution configuration and/or design shall allow for limiting the scanner beam path from extending beyond the immediate perimeter of the processing equipment into potentially occupied spaces. 10. The barcode reading solution shall allow for pre-configuration of calibration settings tailored to this application. 11. The barcode reader solution components shall be capable of use in industrial, hazardous, and dust-filled environments. 12. The Barcode Reader and associated equipment must operate while exposed to 90% non-condensing relative humidity at 122?F and operate in an ambient temperature range of -40?F to 100?F. 13. The Barcode Reader will be subject to vibration during use and shall operate without compromised integrity, calibration, or functionality for the life of the warranty and for the length of the required calibration interval. 14. The Barcode Reader and associated equipment shall operate without compromised integrity or functionality in a dust-filled environment. SCHEDULE AND DELIVERABLES: For purposes of this technology assessment and market survey, potential vendors shall provide performance data for available systems for USPS review. This information should include a complete description of a working unit which substantiates the vendor?s ability to meet the requirements in this specification. This written information shall be provided no later than March 31, 2006. Minor variations to the values expressed within the above specification will be considered by the USPS if such systems are currently in use in other postal administrations or market applications. In the event that a potential vendor is currently has or plans to develop a system which will meet the requirements provided herein, such vendor must provide a date by April 03 2006 when those development activities would be completed and their system be available for USPS review. Following USPS review of the submitted system performance data, pre-qualification determination will be made and competitive evaluation testing plans will be furnished. The prequalified suppliers are firms whose record of performance in the market place has demonstrated their ability to perform to consistently high standards. The USPS will not provide funding for development activities associated with meeting the specified requirements. Interested parties of this sources sought are to submit a total of two copies (one hard copy and one soft copy) of any company promotional handouts, brochures, catalogs, technology performance specifications, and operations manuals of equipment that meets or exceeds these specifications and requirements to the address provided in this announcement. Overly elaborate responses are neither expected nor required. The USPS by issuance of this notice makes no commitment to acquisition of any barcode reading technology.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA
- Zip Code: 22082-8150
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 22082-8150
- Record
- SN01001782-W 20060309/060307212712 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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