Market_Research_Questionnaire_-_NDGS.docx

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UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND

508 SCOTT DRIVE

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS 62225-5357

MEMORANDUM FOR POTENTIAL OFFERORS 8 February 2016

FROM: USTRANSCOM TCAQ-CI

SUBJECT: Next Generation Delivery Service (NGDS) Request for Information (RFI)

The United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Acquisition Directorate (TCAQ) is conducting market research in support of the Next Generation Delivery Service (NGDS) acquisition. With this acquisition, the Government anticipates consolidating the requirements of Total Delivery Services (TDS), Surface Small Package II (SSP II), and Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) small package ground tenders for shipments up to 150 lbs. TDS provides domestic and international commercial express package delivery service for the United States Federal Government and Department of Defense (DOD) customers. Service is for domestic shipments up to 150 lbs. (up to 300 lbs. between Continental United States (CONUS) and Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and within Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico) and for international shipments up to and including 300 lbs. The contractor is required to provide time-definite, door-to-door pick-up and delivery, transportation, timely and accurate intransit visibility (ITV), Government Third Party Payment System (TPPS) participation, and customs clearance processing (if applicable). SSP II provides transportation services for surface small package shipments of non-expedited (routine) nature from Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) depots and Vendor Shipment Module (VSM) origin locations to all points within the CONUS, Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to be used for this procurement is 492110, Couriers and Express Delivery Services, with a size standard of 1500 employees or less.

This RFI is a market research tool used to aid in acquisition strategy planning. The government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from any sources responding to this synopsis. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract or agreement. USTRANSCOM will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if one is issued.

Please complete the attached questionnaire no later than 5:00 p.m. Central Time, 22 February 2016 and email the file to Nicole Swoboda at nicole.d.swoboda.civ@mail.mil and Tiffany Kauffmann at tiffany.l.kauffmann.civ@mail.mil. We solicit and appreciate your open and honest responses to the questions contained herein, as they will provide valuable insight and direction in the development of a future solicitation. Note: This survey is for market research purposes only; all responses are confidential.

MARKET RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE

Directions: This document has been saved as a form. As such, you can only enter data where you see a shaded area. For some questions you will select from multiple-choice options.

Company Name:

Size (No. of Employees) of Company:

Respondent Name:

Respondent Phone Number:

Respondent Email Address:

Company Website:

Small business category: Please indicate if any one of the small business categories applies. The size standard for small businesses for North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 492110, Couriers and Express Delivery Services is 1500 employees or less.

1. Under this NGDS acquisition, the Government is exploring acquiring both small package air and ground delivery services. This consolidation strategy is intended to foster efficiencies. Do you provide consolidated air and ground services under your commercial contracts?

Please explain:

2. Do you believe acquiring small package air and ground services under one contract vehicle will result in any benefits? Please describe the efficiencies and savings you believe that this NGDS consolidation will generate for the Government. What benefits do you see to include cost savings, price reduction, and quality improvements that will save time and improve/enhance performance and efficiency? Would your company be able to provide better terms and conditions as a result of this NGDS consolidation?

Please explain:

3. The current TDS contract is a Fixed Price contract with Economic Price Adjustment. The price adjustment is done annually to protect the Government and the Contractor from significant market fluctuations. The adjustment is based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index for North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 492110, Couriers and Express Delivery Services. The SSP contract includes fixed prices for the base, three option periods, and six month extension.

What is the typical commercial contract type for these services and why?

Please explain:

4. What is the typical commercial contract length for these types of services?

d. |_| Other, please explain below

Please explain:

5. What combination of contract type and length would provide the Government the best value? For example, three year contract with fixed prices or five year contract with an annual economic price adjustment.

Please explain:

6. The SSP and SDDC ground tender pricing structure is a tiered pricing structure based on individual rates for delivery of packages for any number of pounds from 1-150 lbs. by destination zones. The TDS program encompasses a tiered pricing structure based on individual rates for any number of pounds from 1-150 lbs., single piece shipments weighing between151-300 lbs., and multiple piece shipments weighing 151-200 lbs., 201-300 lbs., etc. TDS incorporates regional and individual country to country locations in its pricing structure. Are these approaches commensurate with commercial practices? If not, please provide how these services are priced commercially. Do you have any recommendations for aggregating the different pricing structures of these separate contracts?

Please explain:

7. Is there a commercial standard definition of a high volume shipper? Does the same definition (number of shipments) apply for both small package air and ground delivery? Are there any incentives for high volume shippers?

Please explain:

8. Do you have a commercial service guide available that documents your carrier-specific business rules associated with the movement of small package shipments?

9. Do you sponsor an interface for Government shipper systems to consume for the processing of small package shipments with the end goal of obtaining carrier-produced shipping labels/waybills and carrier required hazardous certification documents?

10. Do you offer a delivery commitment for small package ground shipments? If yes, what recourse/refund is the shipper entitled to if that delivery commitment is not met?

Please explain:

11. If you are a small business, does the consolidation of these services negatively impact your ability to propose on the contract?

Please explain:

12. Please provide any comments/concerns you feel are relevant and need to be addressed to this proposed acquisition:

Please comment:

Thank you for your time and effort to complete this survey.

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