USPS to buy retail software

U.S. Postal Service officials are seeking bids for postal retail software from a single vendor. USPS officials want software that runs under Microsoft Windows and is flexible enough to handle USPS' diverse business operations.

In a bid request issued Nov. 26, USPS officials listed 56 mailing functions that they need the software to perform. In addition to supporting those functions, the software must run on USPS' existing hardware, which includes 78,000 terminals bought in the late 1990s and later.

Officials plan to gradually replace USPS' oldest hardware with newer Model HP RP-5000 computers from Hewlett Packard.

The contract requires that the software be integrated with a transaction processing monitor, such as BEA Systems' Tuxedo, for authorizing users to gain access to applications. The contract also asks for software that can authenticate users through Microsoft's Active Directory.

USPS officials are interested in software that provides quick service. Users of the software will include window clerks, managers and postmasters.

Postal officials said they are expecting bids by Jan. 10, 2005.