AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY
Springfield, MA P&DC

October 21, 2011

An Area Mail Processing (AMP) study was initiated to evaluate the consolidation of mail processing operations from the Springfield, MA Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) with those performed at the Hartford, CT P&DC, the Albany, NY P&DC and the Central Mass (Shrewsbury), P&DC.  The initial results of the study support the business case for consolidation into the Hartford & Central Mass P&DCs.  This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service Headquarters and its 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.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2011, at 5:30 p.m. at Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave., Springfield, MA.  Below are preliminary highlights from the study:

Business Case:
Below is a breakdown of this savings estimate:

Annual Mail Processing Employee Savings	   $10,105,776
Annual Management Savings	     $1,528,693
Annual Maintenance Savings	     $1,044,096
Annual Transportation Savings	     $1,256,185

Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $13,934,750.

Postal Employees:
Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 169 positions is projected.  All bargaining employee reassignments will be made in accordance with the respective collective bargaining agreements.

Net Craft Employee Impact	-160
Net Supervisory/Management Employee Impact	    -9

Local Customer Considerations:
There are no retail services at the Springfield P&DC. There are no changes projected for the retail services at the Main Street Station in Springfield.  Other customer considerations follow:

•	Local collection box pick-up times will not change as a result of the AMP.
•	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.
•	First-Class Mail Service Standard Changes:
•	A total of 60 First-Class 3-digit pairs will be upgraded from 3-day to 2-day.
•	A total of 101 First-Class 3-digit pairs will be downgraded from Overnight to 2-day.
•	The net impact to First-Class Mail volume is -9.38%.

Commercial Mailers:
•	Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts. 
•	Mailers who drop ship to Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) 010-014 can expect changes if the AMP is approved.

Written comments may be sent to:

Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact
Connecticut Valley District
141 Weston Street
Hartford CT 06101-9631

All comments must be postmarked by November 23, 2011.