USPS Request for Information (RFI) – 3A-20-A-0104 – Autonomous Removal & Replacement of Narrow Bins

USPS Request for Information (RFI) – 3A-20-A-0104 – Autonomous Removal & Replacement of Narrow BinsBackgroundThe United States Postal Service (USPS) has identified potential work hour savings opportunities by automating the placement and retrieval of containers adjacent to existing mail processing equipment (MPE). The USPS seeks information for current technology that is capable of retrieving these containers (Narrow Bins) using autonomous or automated technology such as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) or smaller form factor Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs).  The technology will be expected to approach a full container at a package sorting system, remove the container from the location, insert a replacement container, and transport the removed container to a remote location for further processing.RequirementsThe technical requirements and objectives of the Autonomous Removal and Replacement of Narrow Bins are described in the attached Statement of Objectives (SOO), “Autonomous or

Automated Removal and Replacement of Narrow Bins,” dated September 23, 2020.  Suppliers should read the SOO document for an understanding of the technical scope.Responding to this RFIInterested suppliers responding to this RFI should provide information that addresses the requirements as described in the SOO and shall include, at a minimum, the following:- A technical response to the Statement of Objectives (SOO) including the deliverables described therein- Information detailing the supplier’s current and past history and experience in providing the offered technology/solution- Company information to include: company name, any subsidiaries or associated companies, company address, company website, company overview, and Point of Contact name and phone number/email address- Estimated pricing and cost of ownership per vehicleProprietary information, if any, should be kept to a minimum and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Please be advised that all submissions become USPS property and will not be returned.Please note that this RFI does not in any way commit the USPS to make any award, or to test or to purchase any equipment.Any questions pertaining to this RFI should be directed to Tammi Robinson-Minor at Tammi.Robinson-Minor@usps.gov and Andrew Hopkins at Andrew.J.Hopkins@usps.gov no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Monday, October 26, 2020.   All questions will be consolidated and the Postal Service’s responses will be provided as an amendment to this announcement.Written submissions in response to this RFI must be provided via email to both Tammi Robinson-Minor at Tammi.Robinson-Minor@usps.gov and Andrew Hopkins at Andrew.J.Hopkins@usps.gov no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) on Friday, November 13, 2020.Applicable Solicitation ProvisionThe following standard USPS solicitation provision applies:Provision A-2: Solicitation for Information or Planning Purposes (March 2006)a. The Postal Service does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to pay for the information solicited.b. This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: gathering information to assess market capability for autonomous or automated removal and replacement of mail processing equipment narrow bins.