2-26.5 Site Visits

For projects that are complex, high in dollar value, critical, or have high switching costs, site visits may be conducted to validate and supplement information provided by potential suppliers in proposals in response to RFPs. These visits enable face-to-face interaction and:

• Validate information already acquired.
• Offer a firsthand view of the supplier’s facilities, operations, and personnel.
• Clarify points in supplier’s offers or proposals.
• Provide a better insight into the supplier’s proposals and its capacity and capability to deliver (can include an in-depth demonstration of the supplier’s proposed solution and presentations by the supplier’s project team).
• Advance negotiations with a supplier.
• Ensure that both sides of the supply relationship have the same understanding and definition of various performance metrics, such as “on-time delivery” and “quality.”
• Provide a forum to discuss product specifications in depth.
• Allow the Postal Service to assess supplier’s dependability and total health.

Individuals involved in site visits may not divulge any supplier’s proprietary business or trade secrets.