AREA MAIL PROCESSING (AMP) FEASIBILITY STUDY
Tacoma, WA, P&DC to Seattle, WA, P&DC

November 1, 2011

An Area Mail Processing (AMP) study was initiated to evaluate moving the mail processing operations from the Tacoma, WA, Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) to the Seattle, WA, Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC).  The initial results of the study support the business case for consolidation.  This study, currently in review at United States Postal Service Headquarters and its Western 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 Thursday, November 17, 2011, at 5:30 p.m., at the Tacoma Public Library, 1102 Tacoma Avenue South, in Tacoma.  Below are preliminary highlights from the study:

Business Case:
Below is a breakdown of the estimate of annual savings:

Annual Mail Processing Savings         	$3,026,523 
Annual Management Savings  	$1,362,865             
Annual Maintenance Savings  	$2,468,370      
Annual Transportation Savings  	     $83,948

Proposed annual savings in the draft AMP feasibility study are approximately $6,941,706.  

Postal Employees:
Due to the consolidation, a net decrease of approximately 139 positions is projected.  All bargaining employee reassignments will be made in accordance with the respective collective bargaining agreements.

Net Craft Employee Impact  	-134
Net Supervisory/Management Employee Impact	   -5

Local Customer Considerations:
•	There are no retail services available at the Tacoma facility. 
•	Business mail acceptance will remain the same. 
•	Local collection box pick-up times may change as a result of the AMP.
•	A local postmark will be available for stamped First-Class Mail.
•	Delivery times of mail to residences and businesses will not change as a result of the AMP.
•	The proposed consolidation would support a 2- to 3-day service standard for First-Class Mail.

Commercial Mailers:
•	Mailers who presort mail will continue to receive appropriate postage discounts. 
•	Mailers who drop ship to Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) for ZIP(s) 983 and 984 can expect changes if the AMP is approved.

Written comments may be sent to:

Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact
Seattle District
PO Box 90306
Seattle WA  98109-9631

All comments must be postmarked by December 2, 2011.