what do i need to know about owning a rural post route, contracted

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The U.S. Post has always relied on contractors to help deliver the mail, especially in rural or difficult to access areas. If you're interested in working as a contract delivery service with the USPS, you can practise so either as an individual or as an organization. To get started, yous'll need to make certain you run across the eligibility requirements and file the appropriate paperwork with the USPS.

1. 1

   Make up one's mind what type of contract you demand. The USPS works with a diversity of unlike types of delivery contractors. The type of contract you apply for will depend on what kind of transportation you or your organization tin can provide. To meet which contract is the best match for you, cheque the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33): http://local300npmhu.org/wordpress-content/uploads/2013/07/Pub33-Mail service-Transportation-CONTRACTING-Guide.pdf.

   • The types of transportation contracts include air, runway, water, and highway.
   • Highway contracts are the well-nigh common, and they tin can be held either by transportation companies or by individual possessor-operators working out of their ain vehicles.

2. ii

   Check if you meet the contractor eligibility requirements. In order to piece of work as a contracted post commitment service, you'll need to run across sure requirements. These may vary depending on the blazon of contract you're applying for, then check with your local contracting officer for details. For example, to meet the basic requirements of a highway contractor, you must:^[1]

   • Be at least 21 years old
   • Live in or adjacent to the county where you will be working (if you're an private)
   • Do business in or next to the county you'll be servicing (if you're a corporation)

   Tip: For most private contract commitment positions, you'll need to provide your own vehicle. Your vehicle may also need to meet sure requirements, such every bit beingness in good working society and large enough to adapt the amount of postal service you normally carry on your route.^[two]

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3. three

   Consummate a Mailing List Application. Once yous're ready to apply, make full out PS Form 5436 (Mailing List Application – Mail Transportation Services). You can find this form at the end of the Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33), or download it here: https://about.usps.com/forms/ps5436.pdf.

   • On the form, you will demand to provide data virtually what blazon of business you have (if applicative), what kind of transportation equipment you tin can provide, and the type of route or contract you are interested in (e.g., air, h2o, rails, or highway).

4. 4

   Mail the application to your local contracting office. Once you lot fill out the form, look up the accost of your area's contracting office or surface area distribution networks role and ship it in. Y'all can find a listing of area offices on Page 6 of the Post Transportation Contracting Guide.^[three]

   • After you lot submit the application, you'll exist placed on a mailing list for your area so that you can receive information nearly contract opportunities.

5. 5

   Obtain a DUNS number if you are registering as an organization. If you're applying as a business organisation system, you'll demand a DUNS (Data Universal Number System) number in order to bid on a government contract.^[4] To become a DUNS number for your business concern, utilise on the Dun & Bradstreet website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.exercise.

   • Before applying for a DUNS number, check to make certain that your organization does not already have i. Your organisation'southward financial department or grant administrator should have that data.^[5]
   • There is no cost to apply for a DUNS number.

6. 6

   Register as a federal contractor with SAM if y'all represent an arrangement. If you want to bid on contracts with the USPS as an organization, you'll likewise need to annals with SAM (System for Award Management), formerly CCR (Cardinal Contractor Registration).^[6] You can register with SAM or check on the condition of your registration on the SAM.gov website: https://sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/alphabetize.jsf.

   • If y'all've already registered with SAM, you'll need to update your registration at to the lowest degree in one case a year.^[vii]
   • You must have a DUNS number before yous tin can register with SAM.
   • There is no fee to register with SAM.

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1. 1

   Bank check with your local contracting officer for opportunities. Later you lot submit a Mailing List Application to your local contracting office, you should first receiving information well-nigh opportunities through the mail. You lot tin can as well call your local role or visit them in person to ask nearly possible opportunities.^[viii]

   • To find addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers for your local contracting officer, check Page half-dozen of the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33).

2. 2

   Visit the FedBizOpps website to see contractor solicitations. The USPS posts all its contractor opportunities on the FedBizOpps website (https://www.fbo.gov/). Go to the website to find out if the USPS is currently soliciting suppliers, such equally companies that tin supply post transportation services.^[nine]

   • The FedBizOpps website allows yous to search for opportunities by region, type, keyword, or bureau.

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Note: As of Nov 2019, the FedBizOpps website will move to http://beta.SAM.gov.

1. 1

   Use the USPS Supplier Registration system for organizational contracts. Another way to find contracting opportunities is through the USPS Supplier Registration site. You lot can merely use this site if yous are applying for contracts every bit an organization (rather than an private).^[ten] To register your arrangement, visit the USPS eSourcing site.

   • Later on you annals your arrangement, the USPS will contact you with possible contract opportunities.
   • If you win a bid on a contract, USPS will contact yous with farther instructions on how to proceed.

2. 2

   Search for private commitment contractor jobs on general job websites. If you lot're an individual looking for a job as a contracted mail carrier, you may be able to discover local opportunities through chore websites similar Indeed or SimplyHired. Do an online search using terms like "contract mail carrier" or "USPS contract driver."

   • Check the specific requirements for each job to brand sure you authorize. For example, most delivery contract positions require that you lot have your own vehicle, a valid driver'southward license, and 2-five years of driving experience.
   • You will likely demand to laissez passer a background check and exist cleared for the position by the USPS.
   • Your vehicle may also need to meet certain specifications in club to qualify for mail commitment.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Where practise I get the PS Form 5436?

  

  This answer was written by ane of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accurateness and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Respond

  You lot can detect this form on the Nigh.USPS.com website. Navigate to "Find a Form" under the "Resources" tab at the top of the page.

• Question

  How do I find the proper address to send the course 5436?

  

  This answer was written by i of our trained team of researchers who validated information technology for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Reply

  Regional addresses for contracting officers are bachelor in the Postal service Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33). This guide is linked in the article, or y'all tin notice it by doing an online search for "USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide."

• Question

  How do I find out if there are routes available in my area?

  

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  Check with your local USPS distribution network role. You lot tin can find contact information for these offices in the USPS Post Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33).

• Question

  How tin can I discover the USPS distribution network office in my area?

  

  This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

  

  wikiHow Staff Editor

  Staff Answer

  At that place is a listing of these offices in the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33). You can find a link to the guide in the article, or search for the title online to notice a PDF.

• Question

  Am I responsible for lost or wrongly delivered mail service?

  

  Aye. If y'all're supposed to deliver the mail and you don't, then you or your visitor is responsible for it.

• Question

  How much practice contract delivery drivers earn?

  

  Anywhere from $12 to $16 per hour. It depends on how many bids are submitted, as well equally the total contract bid amount (including vehicle expenses, etc.).

• Question

  When I am contracted to do a road, are the number of hours to do the route prepare past the contractor or by the USPS?

  

  You are required to follow the set times that the USPS will provide y'all with.

• Question

  What type of car is necessary?

  

  It depends on the route. A bid parcel volition comprise all the data yous need - size of road, the size of vehicle needed (it goes by cubic inches of space), etc.

• Question

  Is there a limit on the age of the automobile I can use for delivery?

  

  Usually, the bid package should incorporate the information on what is required for your vehicle.

• Question

  Are contractors required to have worker's compensation?

  

  Sole proprietors are not required, simply if you lot accept an employee, you must contribute to worker'south compensation and provide fringe benefits like sick leave and vacation days.

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Article Summary X

The USPS relies on contract delivery services to deliver postal service, especially in rural or hard to admission areas. To get a contract delivery service, yous'll usually need your ain vehicle that's in good condition and big plenty to acquit the mail service for your route. Fill out a mailing listing application from the USPS website and postal service it to your local contracting office. If you're registering as an organization, yous'll need a Data Universal Number Arrangement number, which places you on a directory for authorities contracts. If yous want to bid on contracts equally an organization, you'll as well demand to annals with the System for Laurels Management. Once you've submitted your application, you lot should kickoff receiving information near opportunities through the post. Y'all can also phone call your local office or visit them in person to notice out about opportunities. For more tips, including how to discover individual commitment contractor jobs online, read on!

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