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

A -- PORTABLE, MULTI-SYMBOLOGY TAG READER DUE 021299 POC Pauline C. McTeer,Fax,703-280-8412 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the purchasing office via e-mail, pmcteer@email.usps.gov. The US Postal Service is seeking sources and qualification statements from firms who have an existing commercial product, or who are interested in being considered for development of portable, multi-symbology tag readers to read/decode fluorescent barcode symbologies used by the US Postal Service. The tag reader must be able to read the USPS National ID tag as well as the proposed International ID tag. Both ID tag barcodes are bar-no bar codes printed with a fluorescent ink on the back of the mailpiece. These barcodes are printed on a variety of substrates including picture postcards and kraft paper stock. Since there is no "clear" area for the ID tag, the barcode is often printed over graphics and text. Embedded in each type of ID tag is error detection/error correction. The ID tag specifications may be obtained by request. The readers need not be of the "gun" type, but may be of the "mouse or wand" type, as necessitated by fluorescent ink. The readers must be capable of operation in a variety of ambient light levels. This includes an office environment as well as the high ambient light levels encountered in mail processing centers, and areas where sunlight is ambient. In addition to the fluorescent ID tag, the reader must be able to read the current bar/ half bar contrast barcodes, namely the POSTNET barcode and its derivatives, such as the PLANET code. It would be desirable if the readers could decode all of the one dimensional symbologies used by the Postal Service meeting AIM Uniform Symbology Specifications and UCC/EAN specifications. Examples are: USS Interleaved I 2/5, USS Code 128, USS Code 39, USS Code 93 and UCC/EAN Code 128. These codes are used for parcel sorting, delivery confirmation, and for airline dispatch/routing. Only those firms who are determined to be prequalified will be considered for any resulting contracts. Interested firms should prepare a summary of their qualifications, including the most recent financial statements and descriptions and specifications of their standard products whose capabilities parallel the foregoing requirements. The qualification statement should not exceed twenty (20) single-sided pages and must demonstrate that the firm has the following capabilities: (1) successful past performance in the design and manufacture of portable, multi-symbology readers or similar equipment, including a list of contracts within the past three years directly related to this effort. This listing must include a description of each effort, the dollar value, duration, and a point of contact with the current user of the equipment; and (2) the ability to develop and manufacture multi-symbology readers, including resumes of at least three of the key personnel in your employment who may be made available for this effort. No proprietary information is to be submitted. The qualification statement must be submitted in an original and three (3) copies and in electronic form (MS Word 95 preferred) on a disk, if available, to the address above no later than February 12, 1999. Posted 01/04/99 (W-SN284778). (0004)

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