Postal Service VMFs Ensure Safety of NGDVs

Postal Service VMFs Ensure Safety of NGDVs
By Bobby Bock
NAPS Southeast Area Vice President

The next generation delivery vehicle (NGDV) built by Oshkosh has had what only can be described as a rocky rollout. In a previous column, I discussed quality control issues coming off the assembly line.

On Jan. 29, 2026, at approximately 4:30 p.m., I received a call from my manager regarding a technical bulletin issued by Oshkosh. The bulletin addressed the “NGDV Brake Pedal Clip and Pin” (Campaign 52).

Effective immediately, Tracy Powers, director of Fleet Operations, assembled the VMF team and developed a plan of action. This was a monumental task! Every NGDV needed to be inspected within one day.

VMF technicians were immediately dispatched to the field on the night of Jan. 29 to begin inspections. The remainder of the VMF staff joined the effort during the early morning hours on Jan. 30. During inspections at my two VMFs, my team identified one NGDV with this defect.

While the Postal Service received a minimal amount of reimbursement for this safety recall, the real costs lie in the labor and travel required for our teams to inspect these vehicles in the field. Once again, Fleet Management stepped up and delivered.

It is my understanding that our technicians were the ones who initially discovered this issue. We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated and professional workforce. At the Postal Service, safety is our number-one priority. Some hiccups are expected when deploying a new vehicle, but, as an organization, we must continue to hold Oshkosh accountable to our core values, especially when it comes to safety.

If we do not already, we should consider placing inspectors directly on the assembly line, just like the FAA’s oversight of aircraft manufacturing. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but this issue may only be the tip of the iceberg with these vehicles.

I have spoken with automotive professionals who previously worked with Grumman; they believe the LLVs potentially could be reinvented to meet today’s standards. Additionally, it is my understanding that the Postal Service is currently testing another delivery vehicle. Hopefully, that product will perform better than what we currently are experiencing.

Let’s stay safe out there! And remember, the VMF is your friend.