Contract Delivery Service

CDS Questions and Answers

 

As you may recall, last month my column was a list of questions that was formulated at the CDS
Seminar at the National convention in Baltimore. Ms Elizabeth Schaefer, USPS Delivery Services has
answered those questions. Here is Ms Schaefer’s response and the answers:
Q. What should a Contractor do when they are being bullied by a Postmaster at the work place? Brian McKain,
Royale Ledbetter.
A. The contractor should approach the Postmaster professionally. If they feel they are being bullied or the Postmaster
is not acting properly as the Contracting Officers representative, they should document the behavior they feel is unprofessional.
They should then contact the Manager, Post Office Operations that the Postmaster reports to in order to resolve the
situation. Ideally, they should mediate and reset the relationship. If that approach does not resolve the problem, they can
file a written complaint with the Contracting Officer, providing the documentation they have collected.
Q. Contractors can get a discount with AT&T and Sprint. Postal employees get a discount from Verizon but Verizon
wants the “ECPD code” from Contractors. How can we get this code? Daniel Jackson, Greensboro, NC.
A. Vendors set the eligibility requirements as well as the terms and conditions for discounts offered for employee discount
and deals. Contact the vendor directly to determine eligibility for plan discounts.
We will recommend to Supply Chain Management that they rewrite the instructions within the “Employee Deals” Section
to include any specific codes required. The contractors could then get the code from their local Postmaster.
Q. Box Delivery Contractors are required to use scanners. We need a bar code to upload the scanners. Some of our
badges were issued with no bar code. How can we get a bar code?
A. The Postmaster can request these codes from the Manager, Operations Program Support at their District office.
Q. Many Postmasters are still requiring Contractors to scan e-VS bar codes. Would it be possible for me to get the answer
on “official” USPSS letterhead so I can print it in my column? Dave DeMartinis.
A. e-VS or Electronic Verification System scans are performed by back office clerical personnel. If contractors are
being asked to validate Parcel Select Mail arriving in delivery units via the e-VS system, this is incorrect and is not a function
of their contract.
Q. Do you know of any districts that have a policy in place which they will only honor three (3) detour days? This is unrealistic
because DOT or the like might be replacing a bridge which could take months. Brian McKain, Royale Ledbetter.
A. Any such policy as you describe is simply an attempt to minimize administrative work. It is a violation of the contract
between the parties and should be reported to the Contracting Officer.
Q. I am a CDS combination contractor, I deliver to a lot of small businesses, how do I justify to a customer going to 5
day delivery? Corporate Communications.
A. Since 2006, the Postal Service has experienced a significant drop in First Class mail volume due to electronic diversion,
the Internet and the overall financial picture of the economy. The Postal Service has fixed costs that must be covered
every day that we deliver mail, much like you have in your home budgets. As revenue declines, we are performing
the same work for less revenue, and are reaching the point where by spreading volume over six days, we are spending
more than we take in. By eliminating one delivery day, we are saving on fixed delivery costs for that one day, as well as
processing costs for one day and around 60% of transportation costs for that day. Altogether, this amounts to approximate
savings of 3.1 billion dollars per year. Our options are to either raise prices on all products, further driving away volume,
or continue to lose money every week.
Q. Is there a required amount of floor space for a carrier at the Post Office? Vicky Stephens, Engineering.
A. HBK AS 504 Space Requirements, details criteria and instructions for allocation of appropriate workroom floor
space for city, rural and highway contract route casing equipment when planning or upgrading a facility. This document
is currently under revision in a combined effort from Engineering and Facilities with changes and updates to be published
at a future date.
In a March 2007 letter to the Area Vice-Presidents and Managers, Facility Service Offices, Senior Vice President of Operations
Bill Galligan announced revisions of the limits downward for Non-FSS offices and setting the targeted space at
123 square feet. This announcement terminated the existence of the Customer Service Evaluation (CSE) Committee and 
assigned accountability for proper space planning with Facility Service Offices (FSO).
There is no required amount of space; however the space allotted should conform to the Handbook AS 504, Space Requirements.
This is spelled out in Chapter 5, Sections 52 and 53. The number of cases required is based on volume and
deliveries. For example, the AS 504 Section 52 states: “The basic formula to be used in planning for space requirements
for a new or upgraded facility is 180 square feet (sq ft) for each city, rural, or highway contract route up to and including
the 25th route. For each additional route in excess of 25, a total of 130 square feet should be provided in the planning.
Q. On a combination route, will any part of the route be run if we go to a 5 day delivery week? Brian McKain, Royale
Ledbetter.
A. Depending upon the HCR portion of the combination route, it is possible that a portion of the route would still need
to be run if we go to a 5 day environment. This would be negotiated with the contractor if the change is substantial
(which it probably would be).
Again, many thanks to Ms Schaefer for answering our questions. Hope to see many of you at the Eastern/Southern Region
meeting November 3-4, 2011. We will have a CDS breakout session. Make your reservations now for the upcoming
CentralWestern Regional meeting on January 24-25, 2012.
Haven’t paid your dues yet? As of October 1, you were delinquent!
Our President, Cliff Blackburn, has initiated “Gain 1000 Members 2011-2012” It is up
to us as grass roots members to convince that non-member to join the Association.
United we stand, divided we fall. Help us help you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
~ Joyce
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