Contract delivery drivers must be at least 21 years of age, except that if the vehicle driven is used exclusively under contract with the Postal Service, and the manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating is 10,000 pounds or less, the driver may be 18 years of age or more.

Contract employees who transport mail matter must be screened in accordance with Management Instruction PO-530-2004-2, Screening Highway Transportation Contract Employees.

Each driver must have a working, rechargeable cell phone with them on their routes that is continually turned on and available for use. The phone service must have voice mail enabled and be accessible by the driver.

Driver uniforms are not required under the contract. Suppliers who require their drivers to wear uniforms may include the cost only in the general overhead line (it is not considered part of the drivers’ wages and benefits).

For the complete text of HCR Terms and Conditions, see http://www.usps.com/purchasing/prequaldocs/TC_081905.rtf.

The minimum wages and benefits of contract delivery drivers varies by locality. The Service Contract Act requires contractors and subcontractors to pay employees no less than the wage rates and fringe benefits found prevailing in the locality as determined by the Department of Labor. See http://www.usps.com/purchasing/prequaldocs/WageDeterminations.txt.

Don Cheney
Auburn, WA