Contract Conditions and Specifications Unduly Restricting Competition

Gao ID: GGD-81-39 February 12, 1981

GAO addressed the restrictive conditions and specifications in U.S. Postal Service solicitations and contracts and their impact on Postal Service relationships with private industry, competition, and cost. The review discussed the Postal Service's formally advertised fixed-price contract for corrugated mail trays and sleeves to cover them in transit.

GAO found that: (1) the solicitation permitted bidding only by firms which could furnish all production requirements to all postal regions located throughout the United States; (2) the contract currently requires the corrugated trays and sleeves to be cut with a specific type of cutter; and (3) the contract requires the tray and sleeve be made from a very strong corrugated product.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: James G. Mitchell Team: General Accounting Office: General Government Division Phone: (202) 275-8676


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