USPS Issues RFI for Outsourcing of NCOA Program

WASHINGTON, DC—03/19/09—The United States Postal Service has put out the following Request for Information (RFI) regarding proposals for a third party to manage its change-of-address (COA) program:

United States Postal Service Request for Information (RFI):

Moversource Program

Request
The United States Postal Service (“USPS”) is seeking information from parties interested in engaging in a long-term relationship as Supplier and/or alliance partner with the USPS to implement innovative solutions to enable USPS to efficiently and effectively manage its change-of-address (COA) program, while capturing the significant commercial opportunities presented when a postal patron submits change of address forms in connection with a move. Although the USPS desires at this time that interested parties be willing to fund all costs associated with the program, your response should address how the operating costs and potential future investments could be financed as well as your interest in taking on this role.

The process requires the submission of information from interested parties followed by an evaluation period in which the USPS will determine whether to move forward with a statement of work and request for proposal.

Background
Over 46 million Americans change their addresses annually and the processing of change-of-address (COA) orders received from postal patrons is a vital and necessary part of the USPS’s core mission to maintain timely service to the public. In service of this mission, the USPS processes approximately 46 million change-of-address orders each year. .

The mobility of the American population presents formidable challenges for the USPS and business mailers to maintain high-quality mailing lists that are up-to-date and accurate. It also offers a significant commercial opportunity for businesses to form relationships with potential customers because moving inspires increased, and predictable, event-driven spending patterns both before and after the move date. The USPS currently offers several services for postal patrons to update their address when they move., however, the USPS will not provide name and address lists to the supplier and/or alliance partner or vendors, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 412 and federal privacy policies

Postal patrons can submit their address changes from any of the following three channels:

• Post Office – Complete a PS Form 3575, Change of Address Order

• Internet – Utilize the COA application on usps.com

• Telephone – Utilize the COA process through USPS Corporate Customer Contact

Each of these channels currently offers a variety of move-related information and advertisements. The packages include postcards that the customer can use to notify magazines, catalogs, utilities, and others of their new address, as well as helpful checklists for movers. In addition, for each and every COA order submitted, the USPS provides a Move Validation Letter (MVL) and a Customer Notification Letter (CNL) and/or a Welcome Kit (WK).

Costs are incurred with the printing and distribution of the PS-Form 3575 and other move related forms, management of the Internet Change of Address (ICOA) site, as well as the associated postage associated with distribution of the movers guide and mailing of the Welcome Kit to new addresses.

USPS Objectives
The USPS wishes to continue and enhance, where feasible, marketing programs that leverage the COA program to capture the potentially high-growth commercial opportunities generated when a patron files a change of address with the USPS. A strategic relationship between the USPS and a capable and compatible supplier and/or alliance partner would be designed to defray the USPS costs of the COA program and deliver meaningful revenue growth for the USPS and its partner. The USPS is uniquely positioned in its relationship and interaction with movers when processing a change of address order and seeks to create innovative and effective marketing programs designed to capture the value potential inherent in this relationship.

The complete RFI can be downloaded by clicking here.