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PROJECT SCOPE

In pursuit of the MTESC (mail, transport, equipment, support center) contract with the US Postal Service, CSC/DynCorp engaged Himes Associates to perform site selection, transaction support, development management, equipment, and turn-key delivery services of 1.9 million square feet of industrial space in six cities throughout the mid-west and south-east.

The function of these facilities was to receive, sort, repair, package and store various pieces of USPS mail transport equipment. These facilities were programmed to handle millions of pieces of equipment every week.

A key requirement of the USPS Request for Proposal was a management plan for the design, construction, and equipment installation for each facility. The equipment included sophisticated sorting, repair, packaging and distribution equipment, all pre-specified by the USPS. Himes was instrumental in assessing potential sites and developing development plans that would ensure compliance with CSC/DynCorp’s financial, schedule, and functional requirements under the contract.

CSC/DynCorp was awarded a contract of six sites, which was the maximum number of sites allowed under the USPS procurement. From the date of award, the schedule allowed 10 months for lease negotiations, design, and construction and equipment installation. The schedule for delivery varied. CSC/DynCorp's contract was signed in September: 2 sites were due in February, 2 in April, and the final 2 in June. Himes Associates had 6 months in 2 cities, 8 months in 2 others, and 10 in the final 2. Note that the selection of sites was largely a function of how far along the core and shell work had progressed versus the team’s needs.

The program was managed by leveraging Himes’ national presence, collaborative work processes, and centralized point of client contact. This resulted in a continuous improvement process, bringing greater efficiency to each succeeding project. The result was every project was delivered on time, under budget and fully operational in accordance with USPS specifications.

The Postal service had enormously complex review processes which had to be adhered to. They reviewed the design three times as it progressed, and each time Himes responded to their comments. This was a particularly important and difficult part of the process.

As with all businesses,CSC/DynCorp’s MTESC contract involved far more than delivering facilities. Within the eight-month schedule, CSC/DynCorp hired and trained personnel, established operating procedures, and developed an entire business unit dedicated to the implementation of this contract. By outsourcing to Himes, CSC/DynCorp was able to maintain focus on their core capabilities of labor, facilities and production management.

Himes continues to provide project management services to CSC today.