The U.S. Postal Service is opening its last-mile delivery network to more companies through a new competitive bidding platform.
USPS announced Tuesday that it has launched a website allowing businesses to submit proposals for same-day or next-day delivery using its local delivery infrastructure. The platform gives shippers access to more than 18,000 destination delivery units and local processing centers across the U.S.
Until now, direct access to those facilities was typically limited to a small number of very large customers. The new system is designed to broaden that access, allowing companies of different sizes to compete for space in one of the country’s largest last-mile delivery networks.
The move comes as retailers and logistics providers continue to push deliveries closer to customers while managing rising costs and ongoing supply chain disruptions.
“We recognize trends in the shipping marketplace — as well as changing market conditions, supply chain disruptions and the effects of a post-pandemic world — have driven our customers to prioritize convenience,” said David Steiner, Postmaster General and CEO. “To best accommodate the evolving needs of American commerce, and consumers, we are evolving our business strategies to better reflect the value in our last-mile delivery network.”
Through the new platform, companies can propose delivery volumes, pricing, and tender times at specific USPS facilities. Depending on location and timing, deliveries can be made the same day or the next day.
USPS expects accepted bids to be formalized through negotiated service agreements, or NSAs. Those agreements can be tailored to individual customers and may cover contract length, entry times, and other operating terms. The agency said it expects to notify winning bidders in the second calendar quarter, with service beginning in the third quarter of 2026.
Interest in the program has already been strong. USPS said it heard from a wide range of companies ahead of its December announcement and has seen even more interest since then. The agency also worked with shippers prior to launch to fine-tune the bidding process.
USPS delivers to more than 170 million addresses nationwide, often six or seven days a week, making it a critical player in last-mile delivery. Opening broader access to that network could also help strengthen the Postal Service’s finances.
“There is no doubt that many companies have flourished as a result of their relationship with USPS and their access to our last-mile network,” Steiner said. “We want to continue these successful associations and continue to help those customers grow their business.”
