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Transportation contracts are distinguished by the mode of transportation service provided. A contract for any mode of service may require container and additional services such as stevedoring, terminal handling, and ground drayage between postal facilities and the supplier’s facilities. The modes follow.
- Air Taxi — Air taxi contracts call for the transportation of mail by dedicated aircraft operating between two or more specified points. In most cases, these contracts also call for the exclusive use of the entire aircraft capacity for the transportation of mail. Handbook PO-513, Mail Transportation Handbook, and more specifically, Handbook PO-509, Air Taxi Contract Administration, provides guidelines and procedures in the purchase and administration of air taxi contracts. If any conflict occurs between the handbooks and these guidelines, these guidelines apply.
- Air Network — Air transportation network contracts call for the transportation of mail by air carrier, usually by dedicated aircraft between points where hub transfers are used.
- Air Segment — Air transportation segment contracts call for the transportation of mail by air carrier between an origin and a destination specified by the Postal Service.
- Air System — Air system contracts call for the transportation of mail from, to and between any point(s) within the air carrier’s existing transportation system or network. The air carrier’s existing system may be modified from time to time as determined by the air carrier. An air carrier’s transportation system consists primarily of transportation by aircraft, but may include road feeder service (RFS) connections. Such contracts may be awarded either (a) through a competition in which price is a factor in the selection decision; or (b) on the basis of a uniform or common rate set by the Postal Service. If price is a factor in selecting air system suppliers, the purchasing procedures contained in the Supplying Practices should be followed. If set rate contracts are solicited, the purchasing method used must be authorized by the manager, Transportation Portfolio. The method used may deviate from those in the Supplying Practices, so long as those procedures (a) are reasonably adapted to negotiated, set rate contracting; and (b) are approved in writing, prior to issuance of an RFP, by the manager, Transportation Portfolio.
- Surface Airlift — A surface airlift contract calls for the airlifting of surface mail to its destination.
- Highway — Highway transportation is the surface transportation of mail by means other than bus, rail or water. Service may be between either two or more designated points (over the road) or within a local metropolitan area (shuttle service). Highway transportation contracts may include requirements for the in-route distribution of mail in specially designed and equipped vehicles, box delivery, collections and other services similar to those provided by rural carriers. Under these contracts, another suitable means of transportation may be authorized when the use of a motor vehicle would prove impracticable.
- Rail Transportation — A rail transportation contract calls for the transportation of mail in rail carrier supplied or Postal Service-furnished equipment by freight carriers or their subcontractors. These contracts may incorporate one or many origin⁄destination segments. Handbook PO-513, Mail Transportation Handbook, provides guidelines and procedures in the purchase and administration of rail contracts. If any conflict occurs between the handbook and these Practices, these Practices apply.
- Amtrak Transportation — An Amtrak transportation contract consists of mail movement from various origins to various destinations via Amtrak passenger train network. Mail is transported in either mail handling cars (MHCs), baggage cars or other equipment as specified in the requirements. Handbook PO-513, Mail Transportation Handbook, provides guidance and procedures for the purchase and administration of the Amtrak contract. If any conflict occurs between the handbook and these Practices, these Practices apply.
- Intermodal Transportation — Intermodal transportation is the transportation of mail in carrier-supplied or Postal Service-furnished equipment by the use of intermodal carriers or subcontractors. These Intermodal carriers include rail carriers, highway suppliers, or third party intermodal companies. Intermodal transportation is the combination of more than one mode of transportation to move mail between origin and destination (for example, the use of highway and rail transportation to complete one movement of mail from origin entry to destination arrival).
- Bus — Bus contracts call for the transportation of mail by passenger common carriers in passenger-carrying or other motor vehicles on the routes on which they are permitted to carry passengers. These contracts may either cover a segment of the particular bus service or may cover the entire bus system or network.
- Domestic Inland Water — A domestic inland water contract calls for the transportation of mail in vessels between points within the 48 contiguous states or between points within Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories and possessions. Such a contract may include guidelines requiring box delivery, collection and other services similar to those furnished by highway suppliers or rural carriers.
- Domestic Offshore Water — Domestic offshore water contracts call for the transportation of mail in vessels between points in the 48 contiguous states and offshore points and points in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories and possessions.
- International Ocean — An international water contract is a contract with U.S. or foreign-flag carriers for the transportation of mail by vessel from points in the United States or its territories and possessions to points in foreign countries.
Ground transportation network contracts call for the transportation of mail by ground truck operations and may include ancillary terminal handling or delivery requirements as determined by the Postal Service.
Terminal handling contracts call for the sorting, dispatching, loading, or unloading of mail into and out of transportation equipment. These services may be performed at the supplier or the Postal Service terminal handling facility and may or may not be ancillary in nature to the line-haul services performed by the same or other suppliers.
Leased trailer contracts call for the lease of trailers for transportation of mail within geographical areas designated by the Postal Service. These contracts may contain provisions for trailer maintenance and repair service and load restraint systems, and other related requirements determined to be in the best interest of the Postal Service.
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