WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Postal Service announced plans to open access to its prized last-mile delivery network, a move that could reshape how packages reach doorsteps across the country and create a new revenue stream for the financially strained agency.
Beginning in late January or early February 2026, shippers large and small will be able to bid for direct access to more than 18,000 USPS delivery destination units nationwide. The solicitation process will allow companies to propose combinations of volume, pricing, and tender times at individual locations, with USPS handling final delivery the same day or the next day, depending on customer preference.
Postmaster General and CEO David Steiner said the initiative leverages the Postal Service’s unmatched reach, noting that the agency already delivers to more than 170 million addresses at least six days a week under its universal service obligation.
“In the logistics business, the most expensive part of delivery is generally the last mile,” Steiner said. “We are the natural leader in last-mile delivery, and we want to make this valuable service available to a wide range of customers.”
The Postal Service described the effort as a market-driven approach that allows shippers to tailor last-mile solutions to their needs while reducing delivery costs. Because USPS delivery operations already reach every home and business daily, officials say the program can offer same-day or next-day service without the need for additional delivery infrastructure.
Before launching a dedicated bidding platform, USPS plans to engage potential participants to refine the process and gauge demand. More details are expected in the coming months.
Steiner said the agency’s local delivery units have achieved strong service performance, driven by streamlined processing at the community level. He framed the initiative as a way for businesses to turn USPS’s existing reach into a competitive advantage.
“Our last mile can become our customer’s last mile,” Steiner said.
USPS said recent modernization investments have left it with significant unused package processing and delivery capacity, positioning the agency to handle a larger share of the nation’s shipping needs. Accepted bids are expected to be formalized through negotiated service agreement contracts tied to the agency’s Parcel Select product.
The Postal Service anticipates notifying winning bidders in the second quarter of 2026, with service beginning in the third quarter.
While USPS has long offered direct delivery from its destination units, access has historically been limited to a small number of very large customers. Officials said opening the network to a broader audience is expected to boost revenue and strengthen the agency’s long-term financial viability.
USPS framed the move as an evolution of a network that has served the nation for more than 250 years, positioning its last-mile reach as a central asset in the fast-growing demand for same-day and next-day delivery.
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