Utility Reverse Auction Services

Sources Sought Notice

Issue Date:      May 7, 2015

The United States Postal Service (USPS) intends to issue a solicitation for reverse auction services for the purchase of 3rd party utility supply service within the next 60 days.  This will include contracting with a reverse auction company with primary expertise in conducting reverse auctions in de-regulated electricity and natural gas markets. 

The scope of the reverse auction contract will include but will not be limited to data collection support, data validation, supplier qualification, market research, utility rate and tariff analysis, price analysis, bid analysis and award support, market forecasting services and reporting for natural gas, electricity and propane markets. These services do not include fuel oil or gasoline. 

The term of the contract will be for the period of three (3) years effective August 1, 2015 through July 31, 2018 and includes conducting reverse auctions for all Postal Service electric accounts for the following states: CT, DC, DE, IL, MA, MD, ME, NY, OH, and PA. Reverse auctions for natural gas will be determined by the Contracting Officer over the course of the contract. The auctions will be scheduled within the first 12 - 18 months of the contract. These markets may change or expand dependent upon the data collection and market research process.

The intent of this notice is to evaluate the market and supplier interest in providing these services. This information will then be used to develop the source list to which the solicitation will be issued.  It is not intended that suppliers prepare detailed technical or price proposals in response to this notice but to express their interest in receiving the solicitation and to provide the contact information for receipt of the solicitation. It is also not intended to source electric and natural gas suppliers. 

Suppliers are directed to submit a letter of Interest no more than 2 double sided pages in length addressing the following:

•1.    Provide an executive summary of their capability and specific experience with providing reverse auction services;

•2.    List utility type, utilities and states for which reverse auction services have been conducted;

•3.    Provide contact name, mailing address, e-mail address and phone number for the individual to receive and respond to the solicitation;

•4.    Confirm if the company or any of its divisions market or broker natural gas or electricity and if so, describe the markets served;

•5.    Describe ancillary services that are provided including but not limited to data collection and validation, supplier qualification, market research, utility rate and tariff analysis, price analysis, forecasting service and reporting.

•6.    Include a copy of the suppliers standard fee schedule and describe how the fees are compensated (supplier and or customer assessed) 

The letter of interest should be submitted to Alex Cintron, Purchasing and Supply Management Specialist on or before 5 pm EST May 28, 2015.  This response may be sent via e-mail to alex.cintron@usps.gov, by fax to 1-860-285-1202 or by regular mail to Utilities Category Management Team, 6 Griffin Rd North, Windsor, CT 06006-7002