Shipping Services Contract Partnership with UPS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this shipping services contract mandatory? What if we want to use a competitor’s service instead?
This contract is not a mandatory contract. We used the Request for Proposal process to establish a “primary” shipping provider to give the UW all of the advantages of an Ecommerce ordering system, a variety of methods for payment, a full range of quality and highly reliable services, and at the best price available from the vendors responding. If you want to use a competitor’s services, our request would be that you consider the following. Why do you want to use the competitor, is it because of something that UPS cannot overcome or deal with? Would you be willing to meet with UPS to discuss why you don’t want to use them?

What do I do about service areas that UPS cannot handle, such as delivery of animals?
We understand that there are some service elements that UPS does not provide, i.e. animal transport, the transportation of some items that are considered “hazmat” or regulated items. However, UPS is able and willing to meet with any and all departments to talk to you about what you are shipping and to work with you at competitive rates to offer you service solutions meeting your needs. Our request is that you give them the opportunity to meet with you to see if they can meet your needs at prices that match your budgets.

If I’m currently using MDS to ship my UPS packages, can I still use that service?
MDS services are still available and will continue to be available to those Departments who want to continue using that service. Advantages include a one stop source for Departments who do not have equipment or staff to weigh, measure and label items for shipment. It also provides a single source for problem resolution if issues arise.

What are my payment options? Will I be able to use direct pay as an option like I can with FedEx?
UPS Campusship online system allows users the options of using Pcard, Direct Charge (like FEDEX currently) and purchase orders as means of payment. The Pcard is the preferred method of payment. UPS will meet with individual departments to help set up profiles with Pcard, Direct Charge UDDS or PO numbers embedded in the profile to help avoid administrative payment issues that have come up in the past with non electronic options.

How does pricing between UPS and FedEx compare?
At the time of the RFP award, pricing was compared through a sampling process. Prices were compared between UPS proposed rates, UPS prior contract rates, FedEx current rates and FedEx proposed lowest rates. UPS proposed rates were better than their previous rates, as good as or better than FedEx current rates and a little higher, equal to, or a little lower than the rates proposed by FedEx under a consortium proposal.

How do I get access to the new UPS contract pricing?
Current UPS contract pricing and an explanation of how to use the pricing and zone documents is available in an Excel spreadsheet in the Purchasing Services contract publication at: http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/purch/contract/wp5886.html#pricing. The website also includes a link to “Accessorial Charges”. In the past, we have been charged by all of the shipping companies for various Accessorial Charges. For this contract, we asked that they be completely listed and defined so that we have a better idea of what they are and why we are paying for them.

What about prepaid stamps? Will UPS prepaid stamps be available? Can I continue to use FedEx prepaid stamps?
The UW is completing negotiations for a prepaid stamp program through UPS. For the short term, MDS will continue carrying FedEx stamps until the MDS inventory is exhausted. MDS will begin carrying UPS Prepaid stamps as the FedEx stamps are used up. Departments having a FedEx stamp inventory are encouraged to use them up, (don’t dispose of them, they should be treated as money), and to use the FedEx stamps before using any UPS stamps that are received from MDS using current order methods. UPS has committed to placing drop boxes in all of the locations where there is currently a FedEx box. This will make the UPS stamps as convenient for drop offs as the FedEx stamps currently are for department users. As the FedEx stamps are used up across campus, FedEx will be asked to remove their boxes based on a commitment made by the UW in our RFP.

How do I find the UPS drop boxes nearest to my location?
To find the nearest UPS location to drop off your packages, please consult the Find Locations feature on the UPS Website at http://www.ups.com/dropoff?loc=en_US.

Will the FedEx drop boxes be removed from campus?
Yes, at some point, all FedEx boxes will be removed from campus locations. This will not happen until it is clear that almost all of the prepaid stamps in departmental inventories have been used up and that the elimination of the drop boxes on campus will not cause departmental hardships.

Can I use my UPS account number in the same fashion as my FedEx number, i.e. can I give it out to others to ship documents/items where I will be paying for the shipping charges?
Yes, the UPS account number can be given to vendors or customers who want to take advantage of our rates and terms of agreement. UPS offers the added benefit of “reversing charges” in the event an account number was used inappropriately by a company or individual. This is a change from the previous process under FedEx where we were responsible to try and collect charges put against our accounts in error or fraudulently.

Is there any help documentation available on the UPS CampusShip program?
The CampusShip Quick Start guide is available for download as a .pdf document. For further information on this program, please contact Brian Mace at 414-491-9148 bmace@ups.com