The Postal Service Should Increase Competition and Reduce Costs When Buying Vehicle Batteries

GAO reported on the restrictive conditions and specifications in Postal Service solicitations. Specifically, GAO addressed the Service's formally advertised solicitation for six types of vehicle batteries. This solicitation could have produced a single national supplier for each type of battery, resulting in a maximum of six awards. GAO met with Service officials to discuss several conditions and product specifications contained in the solicitation. Later, the Service canceled the solicitation because it was impossible to determine from the face of the bids if the product offered was the product specified.