In 2005 the Postal Service completed acquisition of 2,142 cargo vans. It also completed the solicitation, evaluation, and subsequent contract awards for 1,406 tractors and 382 spotters.

During 2005 the Postal Service conducted a number of vehicle research and development activities, including the purchase of ten advanced diesel vehicles and ten hybrid electric vehicles for test and evaluation; completion of a 24 thousand-mile durability evaluation of a hybrid vehicle on a postal accelerated driving schedule; completion of fuel economy and emission measurement of a hybrid on a postal driving schedule; deployment of two hybrid electric 2-ton vehicles in the Boston area; completion of a comprehensive engine tear-down evaluation of tractors and cargo vans that have operated on biodiesel for the last several years; and continuing the 2-year evaluation of a hydrogen-powered fuel cell minivan for mail delivery in the Washington, D.C. area. A Web site was created to support the fuel cell vehicle program and the interagency task force on hydrogen, for meeting EPACT 2005 requirements.

Moreover, eight additional 2-ton electric vehicles have been placed in operation in New York City. These "CitiVans" were added to the fleet of over 20 postal electric CitiVans already deployed in the Bronx and Staten Island. They are recognized by the EPA as zero emission vehicles and are recharged during off-peak hours. They can travel more than 40 miles on a single electrical charge, making them ideal for use in the demanding "stop-and-go" environment of New York City.

5. Mail Transport Equipment

Mail transport equipment (MTE) consists of sacks, trays, lids, pallets, and wheeled containers that enclose and transport mail. The Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) program is an outsourced, production-oriented, volume-driven integrated network of 22 MTE processing facilities. MTESC contractors collect, sort, repair, store, and distribute MTE to internal and external Postal Service customers for processing, transporting, and delivering the mail. The Mail Transport Equipment Support System (MTESS), a redesigned Postal Service software application, integrates and manages the network. The MTESC network is undergoing transformation to streamline processing and reduce operating costs.

The independent and externally administered Customer Satisfaction Measurement (CSM) system consistently shows high marks, from both Premier and National managed accounts, for the availability of serviceable MTE.

F. Postal Service Facilities, Equipment, and Supplies

1. Environmental Programs

A. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

An Environmental Management System (EMS) is a framework for identifying and evaluating environmental and business issues. Historically, the Postal Service has used the EMS framework to achieve environmental excellence by addressing key business and environmental issues. Currently, the Postal Service is formalizing and upgrading its framework by adopting the 14001 EMS standard developed by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This standard has been adopted by the Universal Postal Union, endorsed by senior postal management, and implemented by competitors. The Postal Service has created an EMS program to provide policy, guidance, and oversight of the implementation of ISO standards for a 10-year period. The Seattle Bulk Mail Center has led the implementation effort by self-declaring its EMS conforms to the 14001 standard following a rigorous audit protocol. Ten other postal facilities have begun the process of implementation which will help the Postal Service identify and capitalize on environmental opportunities.

B. ENERGY ACHIEVEMENTS — TELEMETERING

The Postal Service is expanding its energy telemetering program to collect comprehensive energy usage data via remote automated electronic systems. This information is essential to monitoring the achievements of energy projects and progress toward the goals of Executive Order 13123, Greening the Government through Efficient Energy Management. Telemetering data can also be used real-time by postal facilities to monitor and control energy usage.

C. ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLE PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS

The Postal Service continues to use commercially available alternative fuels where conveniently accessible and competitively priced. This usage decreases fleet emissions, creating the potential for the Postal Service to obtain emission reduction credits that can be traded on an emerging commodity market.