Customer Relations

Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates

Effective January 1, 2001, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) E670.5.11 is revised to reflect an increase from $7.40 to $7.60 for low-cost products mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates. Under statutory restrictions implemented in DMM E670, products may not be mailed at the Nonprofit Standard Mail rates unless the products meet at least one of three exceptions. Under the Internal Revenue Code, a low-cost item is one of these exceptions.

The value of a low-cost item - the actual cost to the authorized organization - is determined each year by the Internal Revenue Service, based on cost-of-living. For the year 2000, the maximum limit for the value of a low-cost item has been adjusted to $7.60.

This revision will appear in the printed version of DMM 57 and is included in the monthly update of the on-line DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

E Eligibility

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E600 Standard Mail

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E670 Nonprofit Standard Mail

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5.0 ELIGIBLE AND INELIGIBLE MATTER

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5.11 Products Mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail Rates

The following products are mailable at Nonprofit Standard Mail rates:

a. Low-cost items within the meaning of 26 USC 513(h)(2), Internal Revenue Code. At the beginning of each calendar year, the value of low-cost items is adjusted for cost of living. Effective January 1, 2001, the standard established that the cost of such items may not exceed $7.60. This cost is the cost to the authorized organization that mails the items or on whose behalf the items are mailed.

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- Mail Preparation and Standards, Pricing and Product Design, 2-8-01

DMM REVISION/CORRECTION

Commercial Mail Receiving Agency Delivery Procedures

On September 7, 2000 (PB 22032), Domestic Mail Manual D042 was revised to include new delivery procedures for commercial mail receiving agencies. These revisions are not included in the printed version of DMM Issue 56 (effective 1-7-01). However, employees and customers are reminded that these standards are in effect. This revision has been included in the online DMM, available via the Postal Explorer Web site at http://pe.usps.gov.

As a reminder, DMM D042.2.6(e) was revised as part of the September 7, 2000, Postal Bulletin article; the date for compliance to this standard is August 1, 2001.

- Mail Preparation and Standards,Pricing and Product Design, 2-8-01

DMM REVISION

Parcel Post ZIP Code Deletions

Effective February 8, 2001, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) E751 Exhibit 8.0 is amended to delete certain ZIP Codes. The correct facility to qualify for destination delivery unit rate is now consistent with the facility associated with the 5-digit ZIP Code as listed in the AMS Drop Ship Product.

This revision will appear in the printed version of DMM 57 and is included in the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E700 Package Services

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E750 Destination Entry

E751 Parcel Select

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Exhibit 8.0 Delivery Facilities Different From
Those in the Drop Shipment Product

[Amend Exhibit E751.8.0 by deleting the following ZIP Codes:]

- Operational Requirements,Operations Planning and Processing, 2-8-01

DMM REVISION

Parcel Post ZIP Code Deletions

Effective February 8, 2001, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) E751 Exhibit 7.0 is corrected to delete certain ZIP Codes. The correct facilities to qualify for destination delivery unit rates are now consistent with the "Majority of City Carriers" rule for these ZIP Codes as listed in the AMS Drop Ship Product. Therefore, they no longer need to be listed in Exhibit 7.0.

This revision will appear in the printed version of DMM 57 and is included in the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E700 Package Services

* * * * *

E750 Destination Entry

E751 Parcel Select

* * * * *

Exhibit 7.0 Delivery Facility Exceptions to the
"Majority of City Carriers" Rule

[Amend Exhibit E751.7.0 by deleting the following entries:]

- Operational Requirements,Operations Planning and Processing, 2-8-01

NEW HANDBOOK

Handbook DM-110

A new Handbook DM-110, Centralized Postage Payment (CPP) System for Periodicals Mail, is now available. Handbook DM-110 defines the organizational responsibilities and reporting structures for the CPP system for Periodicals mail. It is designed for use by postal employees in business mail entry and by other personnel who have responsibilities for ensuring the proper collection of postage for Periodicals mail submitted under the CPP system.

Handbook DM-110 will be available only in an electronic format on the Postal Service internal Web site. No hard copy will be printed and stocked at the Material Distribution Center (MDC). To view or print the electronic copy, access the corporate intranet at http://blue.usps.gov (click on Information, then Policies and Procedures, then Handbook, then either By Document ID Number or By Title, and then scroll down to Handbook DM-110).

- Business Mail Acceptance,Marketing Technology and Channel Management, 2-8-01

DMM REVISION

Parcel Post ZIP Code Additions

Effective February 8, 2001, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) E751 Exhibit 8.0 is amended to add a ZIP Code to the Parcel Post exception list. Parcel Post for ZIP Code 20852 should now be deposited at the Rockville facility, 500 N Washington Street, Rockville, MD 20850 in order to qualify for destination delivery unit rates. This change may be implemented before the effective date.

The facility's Drop Site Key listed in the AMS Drop Ship Product has been included to assist in identifying the correct facility.

This revision will appear in the printed version of DMM 57 and is included in the monthly update of the on-line DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E700 Package Services

* * * * *

E750 Destination Entry

E751 Parcel Select

* * * * *

Exhibit 8.0 Delivery Facilities Different From
Those in the Drop Shipment Product

[Amend Exhibit E751.8.0 by adding the following entry:]

- Operational Requirements,Operations Planning and Processing, 2-8-01

REVISED FORM AND PROCESS

PS Form 3749, Irregularities in the Preparation of Mail Matter

In order to improve the quality of business mailings, the Postal Service is revising the irregularity reporting and correction process.

PS Form 3749, Irregularities in the Preparation of Mail Matter, is revised. The new PS Form 3749, Mail Irregularity Report, is shown in this Postal Bulletin. An additional form has been created: The new PS Form 3749-D, Disposition of Mail Irregularity Report, is also shown in this Postal Bulletin. Together these forms will report the irregularity and subsequently notify the PS Form 3749 originator of the disposition.

The old PS Form 3749 was an 8" x 11" four-part form designed to be completed and inserted into a window envelope for distribution to the designated parties. The new PS Form 3749 is a user-friendly, 5.5" x 8" two-part form that contains the address elements on the reverse side of the copy to be submitted for review.

This process should be used to report serious quality issues such as unreadable barcodes, broken bundles, carrier route out of sequence, mislabeled trays, and so on.

The irregularity reporting process as outlined in the flowchart is simple. In the office or plant, the individual identifying the irregularity will complete PS Form 3749. Each office may create a unique number to be used on that form. If using a numbering system, the employee will duplicate the same number on PS Form 3749-D to report the disposition. The first copy will be detached and filed there. The second copy of PS Form 3749 will be sent to the originating postmaster or plant manager, depending on whether the irregularity is external (e.g., unreadable barcodes, broken bundles) or internal (e.g., misrouted, comingling). For Periodicals, the employee will send forms to the postmaster of the known office of publication.

The employee completing the form may maintain additional information such as photocopies of the mailpiece, labels, and so on, as part of the origin office file. If the employee feels that the inclusion of this information is essential in understanding the nature of the irregularity, he or she may place the items in an envelope, along with PS Form 3749, and address the envelope to the mailing office or known office of publication. Upon receipt, the responsible postmaster or plant manager will investigate the matter and complete PS Form 3749-D. If the irregularity is identified as a mail preparation issue, the postmaster should inform the local business mail entry unit. This will allow the business mail entry unit the opportunity to review subsequent mailings to prevent similar irregularities.

Focus groups commented that feedback to the originator of the form is essential. Feedback is the final link, vital to the success of this process. Therefore, the postmaster or plant manager will record information regarding the investigation and resolution on PS Form 3749-D, Disposition of Mail Irregularity Report. Then he or she will send the second copy back to the originator of the PS Form 3749.

The original PS Form 3749-D and copy of PS Form 3749 should be retained by the postmaster or plant manager in a "customer quality folder." Business Mail Entry, or Quality Improvement, is the suggested place for the customer quality folder.

Both forms will be distributed as two-part, carbonless forms. Initial distribution will be made nationwide, and the new forms can be obtained from the Material Distribution Center.

- Business Mail Acceptance,Marketing Technology and Channel Management, 2-8-01

Finance

CLARIFICATION

Use of Airline Contracts for Official Travel

The following is a clarification of the article in Postal Bulletin 22037 (11-16-00). To ensure that Postal Service travelers continue to have access to convenient and cost-effective air travel, postal employees must use contract city-pair fares when traveling on official business. Non-contract airline carriers may be used only as follows:

· If space is not available on a scheduled contract flight so that your time of arrival allows you to accomplish your travel purpose.

· If use of the contract carrier requires the Postal Service to incur unnecessary overnight costs (lodging, per diem, etc.).

· If a non-contract carrier offers a lower fare available to the general public that would result in a lower total trip cost to the Postal Service (unless the contract carrier offers a comparable fare and has seats available at that fare).

· Rail service is available and such service is cost effective and allows you to accomplish your travel purpose.

You may also use a non-contract fare such as a through fare, special fare, commutation fare, excursion fare, or reduced-rate round-trip fare. Your approving official must determine, prior to your travel, that this type of service is practical and economical to the Postal Service. If the fare is restricted or has specific eligibility requirements, you must know or reasonably be able to anticipate, based on the travel as planned, that you will use the ticket.

Airlines that are not city-pair contract carriers may offer matching government ("me too") fares. However, beginning October 1, 2000, these non-contract carriers have changed their rules pertaining to the advance purchase of matching government fares. Depending on the airline, reservations made but not ticketed within two or three days after booking are now being cancelled.

Also, non-contract airlines can change the class of service required for matching government fares at any time. This means that a reservation made on one date may no longer be valid in the same class of service at the time of ticketing and the fare originally quoted is also no longer valid.

Your travel agency has no control over these changes in price and the cancellation of reservations. The only way to guarantee your reservation and your fare is to use city-pair contract carriers.

- Corporate Accounting, Finance, 2-8-01

Fraud Alert

- Recorder's Office, Judicial Officer, 2-8-01