Traditionally, fueling out of USPS® bulk tanks and then retail locations, in that order of preference, are the best methods for getting vehicles fueled. Only under special circumstances should mobile fueling be used for the procurement of fuel. The mobile fueling contracts are administered by the Fuel Management Category Management Center (CMC) at Headquarters. Mobile fueling entails a fuel tanker truck going onsite to the USPS location and fueling each vehicle directly from the tanker. Typically, the fueling takes place in the evening or after normal business hours, to eliminate interference with normal business activity. Prior to establishing mobile fuel locations, local managers must define a business case supporting the higher fuel costs that historically average an additional 22 cents per gallon over retail. Mobile fueling is paid for with a U.S. Bank/Voyager “M” card.
The approval process for Postal Service™ sites requesting to become a mobile fueling location has changed at the suggestion of the Environmental Compliance & Risk Mitigation (ECRM) group. The new approval process is as follows:
1. Site Manager (Requestor). The site manager determines if mobile fueling is the best method for attaining fuel for the site by describing the factors used to offset the higher mobile fueling costs. The requestor forwards the pre-authorization form to the district manager.
2. District Manager. The district manager reviews the pre-authorization form and documentation to determine that the mobile fueling site’s request for mobile fueling is justified, then forwards to the area manager, Operations Support (MOS).
3. Area Manager, Operations Support (MOS). If the area MOS approves the request, then he or she will forward the request to the Office of Sustainability via the appropriate regional manager of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability.
4. The Office of Sustainability. The Office of Sustainability will perform an Environmental Risk Evaluation consisting of a review of the local air permit requirements, fire marshal requirements, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) state permit requirements, and other state/local environmental requirements. The Environmental Risk Evaluation process may take up to 180 days to complete. The regional manager of Environmental Compliance and Sustainability will provide the results of the Environmental Risk Evaluation to the area MOS and will assist in reaching a decision based on environmental costs and compliance considerations.
5. Area MOS. Once all the permits and compliance requirements are in place, the area MOS will submit the approved pre-authorization form containing all required signatures and documentation to the Fuel Management CMC to begin the contract process.
If you have questions, contact Lilian Sotomayor (the primary contact) at lilian.j.sotomayor@usps.gov or David King (the secondary contact) at david.b.king@usps.gov.
— Fuel Management CMC,
Supply Management, 4-19-12
USPS.com
