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The United States Postal Service often depends on contractors to support mail delivery, particularly in remote or hard-to-reach locations. If you’re looking to start working with the USPS as a contract delivery service, you can apply either as an individual or a company. First, ensure you meet all qualifications and submit the necessary documentation to the USPS.
Instructions
Submitting a Transportation Contract Application
Identify the contract type that fits your service. The USPS partners with various contractors, each offering different delivery solutions. The contract you pursue depends on the transport service you or your company can provide. To determine the right option, consult the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33): https://local300npmhu.org/wordpress-content/uploads/2013/07/Pub33-Mail-Transportation-CONTRACTING-Guide.pdf.
- Contract types include air, rail, water, and highway services.
- Highway contracts are most frequently awarded and may go to transport businesses or individual owner-operators using personal vehicles.
Verify your eligibility to become a USPS contractor. To qualify as a contracted mail delivery provider, you must meet specific criteria, which can differ depending on the contract type. Contact your local contracting officer for the exact requirements. For instance, basic qualifications for highway contractors include:
- Being at least 21 years old
- Residing in or next to the county where the job is located (for individuals)
- Operating in or near the county to be served (for businesses)
Tip: Most individual contractors must supply their own vehicle. The vehicle should be in reliable condition and large enough to carry the volume of mail typically handled on your delivery route.
Fill out the Mailing List Application form. When you're ready to apply, complete PS Form 5436 (Mailing List Application – Mail Transportation Services). This form is located at the end of the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33) or can be downloaded here: https://about.usps.com/forms/ps5436.pdf.
- You’ll need to provide details about your business (if applicable), the transportation equipment available, and the type of contract or delivery route you're pursuing (e.g., air, highway, water, or rail).
Submit your form to the local contracting office. After completing the application, locate your area’s contracting office or distribution network office and send the form there. Page 6 of the Mail Transportation Contracting Guide provides a list of regional offices.
- Once submitted, your name will be added to the mailing list for contract opportunities in your area.
Apply for a DUNS number if you're applying as a business. Organizations must have a DUNS (Data Universal Number System) number to bid on government contracts. You can obtain one through the Dun & Bradstreet website.
- Check with your finance or grants department first to see if your organization already has a DUNS number.
- There is no charge for requesting a DUNS number.
Register your organization with SAM to become a federal contractor. If you're representing a business and plan to bid on USPS contracts, you must register with the System for Award Management (SAM), previously known as CCR. You can complete your registration or check its status at: https://sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/index.jsf.
- Once registered, update your SAM profile at least once every year.
- A DUNS number is required before you can register with SAM.
- Registering with SAM is completely free.
Locating Delivery Contract Listings
Reach out to your local contracting officer for available contracts. After submitting your Mailing List Application, you’ll start getting USPS contract opportunity notifications by mail. You can also contact or visit your local office directly to inquire about current listings.
- Contact details, including addresses and phone numbers, for local contracting officers are listed on Page 6 of the USPS Mail Transportation Contracting Guide (Publication 33).
Browse contractor listings on the FedBizOpps website. All USPS solicitations for contractors are posted at FedBizOpps (https://www.fbo.gov/). Visit the site to check whether USPS is currently seeking vendors for mail transport services.
- You can filter listings by agency, region, keywords, or contract type on the site.
Note: The FedBizOpps platform has transitioned to https://sam.gov/content/home, now named Contract Opportunities.
Register your organization through the USPS Supplier Registration system. Businesses seeking USPS contract opportunities can sign up via the USPS Supplier Registration platform. This portal is only available to organizations, not individuals. Begin the registration process on the USPS eSourcing website.
- Once your organization is registered, USPS will reach out with potential contract opportunities.
- If your organization is awarded a contract, USPS will provide instructions for the next steps.
Find independent contractor mail carrier jobs on major job boards. Individuals looking for USPS contract delivery positions can often find leads on general employment websites like Indeed or SimplyHired. Try searching for phrases like “USPS contract driver” or “contract mail carrier.”
- Review the requirements for each listing to ensure you’re eligible. Most roles require a personal vehicle, a valid driver’s license, and at least 2–5 years of driving experience.
- Background checks and USPS clearance are usually mandatory.
- Your vehicle might also need to meet certain standards to qualify for mail delivery work.
