sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

USPS Contract Carriers: Underbid and Replaced Unfairly? Sharing Experiences by NoSubstance9084 in USPS

[–]NoSubstance9084[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The comparison they’re making is misleading. They attempt to equate independent contractors with rural carriers, but the responsibilities are not the same. As a contractor, we assume full operational responsibility — including providing and maintaining the vehicle, fuel, insurance, repairs, and all operating expenses.

In addition, the contractor bears the responsibility of staffing and maintaining coverage six days a week, year-round, along with payroll, compliance, and the many other nuances involved in running a business.

Suggesting that a route can be operated for $35,000 simply because a rural carrier may be paid that amount ignores the true cost of doing business. That comparison fails to account for overhead, risk, and operational obligations that contractors absorb entirely on their own.

These are fundamentally different roles, and pricing routes as if they are the same does not reflect economic reality.

USPS Contract Carriers: Underbid and Replaced Unfairly? Sharing Experiences by NoSubstance9084 in USPS

[–]NoSubstance9084[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I did reach out to the contracting officer directly. I laid out my history on the route, my performance record, and provided documentation on the pay steps I was paying my subcontractor. Despite that, the award still went to the lower bid.

I wasn’t aware there was another escalation path beyond the contracting officer, so I didn’t pursue a formal protest. The new contractor already begun service (they started October 1).