Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Thanks for the "help"

I was putting together my newspaper in the print shop and came across this headline. "GSA Delivers Federal Shipping Contract to UPS."

The story says that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) awarded a five-year contract to a competitor for express and ground parcel shipping.

The GSA is a major administrative arm of the federal government, controlling big chunks of federal properties and vehicles.

What do you think about the federal government's choice to not use the Postal Service? Click here and tell me.

25 comments:

gerardf1957 said...

You just have to go back and see what President Obama said about USPS a few weeks. Enough said.

Anonymous said...

I think is sucks!
1) It only sends a message to all that find out about it that our competitor is probably providing the same service for less money.
2) It is also suggesting that GSA has no faith on the Postal system.

What is brought to mind is a long time ago, I had a relative that worked in a government position and he once said that our Postal system moved government mailings at no cost. It was a service we provided as an entity of the US government.
If this is still true why would they spend money they don't have to?
unless it is there way of so called sharing the wealth.

Erick said...

How can we as a company expect to survive is someone within that company will not provide support?
This shows how much confidence our fellow government employees have in us!
This is wrong!
We MUST support each other in order to survive!!!!

Anonymous said...

write and call congress

Anonymous said...

The GSA. like any other customer, should use the company which provides the best service for the best price. If that company is FedEx, we should work harder.

Anonymous said...

Who missed that Customer Conect. Why don't our representatives in "Headquarters" make their 3 Business connects like us out here in Podunk City have too?

Anonymous said...

The government needs to support the Postal Service. We are and have been serving the American People for many years. If they want us to succeed, then they need to show it!

Anonymous said...

Most of the services in USPS and other federal and government firms are given to private and other competing services when there was a federal/government or quasi government services and firms available or capability available within who can do the similar work.
Maybe our services are not as effective as we think or it is well known fact that contracts are awarded not based on competitive pricing but competitive contacts. Can anyone deny this fact? Lets check our our own fences.

Besides I was told a package to a same location by fedex domestic costed only less than $7 and when I sent loyal to postal using express mail, it was $22. Maybe we should evaluate our pricing with our competitors.

Anonymous said...

Lack of support for the USPS at the highest levels. PMG has some serious work to do!

Anonymous said...

A very poor decision that will hurt the country as a whole, by further injuring a national treasure when it is quite vulnerable.

Grannybunny said...

It's not only a terrible decision from the perspective of USPS, it is also stupid and bad for the taxpayers. GSA could mail with the Postal Service for free, using G-10 labels.

Anonymous said...

I think the federal government should be using the USPS for all their mailing needs.

Merk said...

On one hand, I think it's terrible that a government agency doesn't use the government's postal system. But we have been told not to order supplies from GSA so maybe it's payback. As to the remark about government agencies mailing for free, I don't believe that's true anymore. At one time all government agencies used "penalty mail" but now they have to put postage on it. Even though it's funded by taxes, they have budgets for postage. What USPS needs to do in this case is send a mailing specialist to talk to GSA and show them how we can save them money and provide better service.

Anonymous said...

I was appalled, but not surprised. Taxpayers probably appreciate the GSA controlling costs. But why are Federally funded agencies given a choice of shippers when we are a mandated government agency?

MOS clerk said...

Feels like being stabbed in the back again! If it is any consolation purchasing clerks have been told to NOT purchase from GSA.

Anonymous said...

I am incensed!! Why is a government agency not utilizing another government agency?

The article states that UPS was selected through "a competitive bid process open to vendors listed on the Federal Supply Schedule". Is the Postal Service even allowed to be on the Federal Supply Schedule, or are we excluded because we are a government agency??

We really need to get some common sense back in the federal government!!

Anonymous said...

What a shame! We should be very scared of what is in the future for the Postal Service when even our own government and officals don't support us. Just plain TACKY!

Anonymous said...

Typical for the current administration! Couldnt you see it coming? And its only the beginning of more of the same to come.

Anonymous said...

I was extremely disappointed when I read that. There should not be an option to use a private competitor. We have GSA contracts - we should use the negotiated pricing!

Anonymous said...

I feel betrayed, like I do with many of the laws and rulings coming out of the Government these days. This one hits closer to home when it affects my job directly. The others will affect me eventually, too. Anonymous

Anonymous said...

The Bussiness Connect comment hits the nail on the head. Just another pencil-whip program.

Anonymous said...

This is not a precident...

In the past, I've ordered products from GSA contractors and many of them use UPS instead of the Postal Service. I asked several of them why and they didn't have a satisfactory explanation. I can't understand why the Postal Service has tolerated this. Postal employees who do purchasing have been strongly encouraged to use GSA and not outside sources. I guess the federal government has no real concern if the Postal Service goes under otherwise GSA would be ensuring that contractors use USPS instead of private carriers.

Anonymous said...

UPS not USPS? Save money? I don't think so. No one has ever saved money with UPS VS USPS. I think someone is getting a kickback again.

Anonymous said...

It is my understanding that Government agencies have to go out for for bids. The Postal Service in the past has not been able to cut deals so our competitors would only have to look at our advertised prices bid 1 cent less and they would be the low bidder. So much for competive bidding but I also wonder if they even consider USPS and I agree any government agency should be required to use our service or justify there decision to use someone else. Is it any wonder, everyone agrees the US has the best Military in the world but we are still paying billions to private companies to provide military services in Irag and Afganistan. We all know how many problems that has caused our country.

Anonymous said...

Check out the Link from Friday-looks like we've just given GSA another bonus!!!!!!!! A huge order for postal vehicles. How stupid are we??