USPS to rely on career employees, not contractors, for IT services

Career employees, not government contractors, will perform the bulk of the U.S. Postal Service’s IT management, according to the agency’s new strategic blueprint.In its , approved Tuesday by the Postal Service board of governors, the agency said it will reduce costs and streamline operations by transitioning its IT infrastructure from “high-cost IT contractors” to in-house staff.The plan builds on the initial transformation strategy the agency launched in 2002 to create a successful market environment and communications landscape.In this installment, the Postal Service proposes to reduce costs by improving efficiency in operational and business processes based on new technology, postmaster General John Potter said.Specifically, the plan envisions modernizing the agency’s IT infrastructure across the board by installing DSL or cable connectivity in at least 14,000 locations still served by dial-up connections.Also, the agency by 2009 will reduce costs by standardizing printers, scanners, photocopiers and other IT equipment.