AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY
New Castle, PA P&DF to Pittsburgh, PA P&DC

Date:  7/1/09

Area Mail Processing (AMP) is the consolidation of mail processing operations from one or more postal facilities to other facilities to improve operational efficiency and/or service.

An AMP study was initiated to evaluate the transfer of outgoing mail processing operations from the New Castle, PA Processing and Distribution Facility (P&DF) to the Pittsburgh, PA Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC).   The initial results of this study support the business case for consolidation.  This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service (USPS) Headquarters and its Eastern Area Office, is subject to change.

A public meeting will be held to share the initial results of the study and allow members of the community to ask questions and provide feedback.  The public’s input will be considered prior to a final decision.  

This meeting will be held Wednesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. at the New Castle High School, 300 E Lincoln Avenue, New Castle, PA 16101. 

Below are preliminary highlights from the feasibility study:

1.	Business Case:

Proposed annual savings in the AMP feasibility study are approximately $1.3 million.

2.	Postal Employees:

Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 17 positions is projected.  All reassignments will be made in accordance with collective bargaining agreements.

3.	Local Customer Considerations:

Services that are currently available from the New Castle facility will continue to be available to customers.

•	Collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP.
•	Retail services will remain the same.
•	Business mail acceptance will remain the same.
•	A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.
•	Delivery of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP.

4.	Commercial Mailers:

•	Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive applicable postage discounts.
•	Mailers who drop ship mailings will continue to deposit them at the New Castle facility.

Comments may be sent to:

MANAGER CONSUMER AFFAIRS
1001 CALIFORNIA AVE
PITTSBURGH PA 15290-9631

All comments must be postmarked by July 30, 2009.