FedEx Corp. of Memphis, Tenn., had held the contract for package delivery in the United States since 1991, when it assumed the single-award contract. However, recent meetings with agency procurement officials led GSA to open the market to more vendors and to expand the variety of express delivery services available. We really felt the federal agencies needs were such that we needed an expanded schedule, said Sue McIver, director of GSA s service acquisition center. A schedule is a catalog of supplies and services available at prenegotiated prices to federal agencies.
Agencies can expect more choice of package-delivery services when the new contract kicks in.
The FedEx contract expires Aug. 15. McIver said GSA officials have held focus groups with customer agencies, who said they wanted more options. McIver said agencies now can buy other delivery service options without using the GSA contract. However, GSA s role in federal procurement is to save agencies time by negotiating with vendors and money by assuring them they are getting the best price. We can get them good prices by leveraging the buying power of the federal government, McIver said.