Los Angeles, California, Bulk Mail Center

Far-reaching changes in the communications and delivery services markets require that the United States Postal Service (USPS) transform itself into a more efficient, flexible, and commercially viable organization. In the past few years, although the number of delivery points has increased due to a growing population, the personal mail volume has decreased because of the concurrent growth of the internet and email traffic. At the same time, packaged mail has increased from the rise in online shopping. As a result of these shifts in the type of mail processed, the USPS has had to make fundamental changes in the way mail had been processed for the past 100 years.

Villa Grande, California

In July 2003, the USPS selected Parsons as its nationwide program manager to provide ongoing design, real estate, and construction services for its extensive facilities portfolio. By placing all program management tasks under the auspices of one entity, the USPS is streamlining its ability to upgrade facilities faster and more efficiently. The key factors in this contract win were Parsons’ ability to provide turnkey services in a cost-competitive manner and its proven track record of providing the best value to the USPS and other customers.

The contract was awarded for an initial term of 2 years with optional 2-year renewals through 2013 for a maximum contract value of $900 million. Since then, Parsons has been involved in the design and construction of many new facilities and has reduced the backlog of repair and alteration work at numerous existing buildings.

Early completion of site upgrades has helped the USPS operate and maintain its facilities more efficiently and cost effectively. For example, Parsons recently upgraded the historic Oakland Civic Center Station by redesigning and replacing its heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. This facility, constructed in 1930, serves the USPS and also houses two courtrooms for Alameda County, California, and their support functions. However, because of the building’s outdated HVAC system, portions of the building were in a heating mode while the rest was in a cooling mode—creating an inconvenience and discomfort to the occupants and causing inefficient energy usage.

Since this is a protected historic structure, it was important that the solution to the HVAC and energy problems avoid altering the building’s appearance. Parsons designed a modern system that provides a comfortable work environment throughout the entire building while reducing energy costs by permitting the occupants to control their specific areas. The design also incorporates environmentally friendly refrigerant that meets the new requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency to eliminate the use of ozone-depleting refrigerants by the year 2020.

Oakland, California, Civic Center Station

Although the courts work normal business hours, the USPS operates from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday. This timeframe created unique challenges in scheduling the renovations without disturbing the normal operations of both parties:

• To accommodate the occupants’ operating hours, some construction was limited to nights and weekends.

• To ensure uninterrupted operation of the HVAC system during new construction, new ductwork had to be installed before the old ductwork could be removed.

• To address the building’s downtown location (where it occupies an entire city block in a metropolitan area), Parsons had to avoid blocking traffic or impeding USPS vehicular movement during construction. We resolved this major issue through advanced planning and phased equipment delivery.

Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center Workroom

Examples of other projects include refurbishing more than 200,000 ft² of space in several buildings for the Processing and Distribution Center in Los Angeles, which Parsons completed in just over 3 months, and refurbishing the USPS New York City Vehicle Maintenance Facility so delivery trucks can be serviced and maintained more efficiently and with less downtime.

In addition to individual regional projects, Parsons is also involved in nationwide programs for the USPS where multiple sites and facilities undergo similar modifications. Last year, Parsons installed 500 Automated Postal Centers (APCs) in California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. These kiosks help the USPS give its customers access to basic services faster and more efficiently. And, because these APC kiosks have become so popular, the USPS plans to install 3,000 more APCs throughout the country within the next 2 years.

Automated Postal Center

On a national level, we are assisting the USPS in its Leased Space Accessibility Program, which implements the new guidelines required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Architectural Barriers Act on all its leased facilities nationwide, totaling more than 27,000. Most of the leased facilities range from 500 to 2,000 ft² and are spread throughout the United States in a variety of physical settings. The measures needed to achieve compliance with the new requirements will vary from very small tasks (such as providing a handicapped parking space) to extensive modifications within a facility. The facilities must be inspected and upgraded as they come up for lease renewal. The entire program is expected to last through the next 5 years with 5,000 facilities reviewed each year.

Parsons will execute the Leased Space Accessibility Program in four phases:

• Phase I: Initial Inspection

• Phase II: Design and Construction Solicitation

• Phase III: Construction (by subcontractors) and Supervision

• Phase IV: Final Inspection and Certification

To date, Parsons has received nearly 5,000 work orders ranging from a few thousand dollars to $8 million, covering all types of program management services. Parsons’ staff and subcontractors have worked more than 300,000 manhours without a safety incident. We are proud to deliver turnkey solutions to the USPS, meeting critical construction schedules, accomplishing work within budget, and satisfying the needs of national, regional, and local users.

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