Postal Bulletin Distribution

The GPO distributes the Postal Bulletin for the Postal Service to all postal facilities except classified stations and branches, contract postal units, and detached mail units, which receive copies from their administrative post office. The Postal Bulletin is also available online at http://www.usps.com (click on Info, then Postal Periodicals and Publications).

If your postal facility has access to cc:Mail, you may send a request for a new subscription order, an address and/or quantity change, or a subscription query to the cc:Mail address POSTAL BULLETIN. If you are using another email product, you can use the Internet emailaddress pbulleti@email.usps.gov.

If you do not have access to email, you may complete the order form and mail it to:

ATTN POSTAL BULLETIN
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 5540
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5540

Either way you send it, please include the "PO0"subscription number from your address label.

Finance

MANAGEMENT INSTRUCTION

Government-Issued, Individually Billed Travel Charge Cards

Management Instruction (MI) FM-640-2002-1, Government-Issued, Individually Billed Travel Charge Cards, has been published online. You can locate the online copy of the MI on the Postal Service Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on MIs. This MI will not be available in printed copies.

- Corporate Accounting, Finance, 5-2-02

Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 02-09

American Toleware Definitive Stamp

The Postal Service will issue a 5-cent American Toleware (Item 778100) definitive stamp in a gummed coil of 10,000 on May 31, 2002, in McLean, Virginia. The stamp, designed by Derry Noyes, Washington, DC, and illustrated by Lou Nolan, McLean, Virginia, will go on sale nationwide on June 1, 2002. The coil of 10,000 may not be split and the stamps may not be sold individually.

The American Toleware definitive stamp features a painted detail of a black toleware coffeepot. Toleware is japanned (varnished) or painted tinware fashioned into a variety of objects, including teapots, coffeepots, cups, and candlesticks, and often decorated with designs such as fruits, flowers, and leaves. Typically, these designs in colors such as deep red, green, and pumpkin yellow are either hand painted or stenciled into a black background of asphaltum mixed with varnish, giving the items a velvety finish. The coffeepot featured on the stamp is now in the collection of the Winterthur Museum in Delaware. It is believed that this piece was manufactured in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between 1850 and 1875. The American Toleware stamp is the first stamp in the new American Design series. The stamps in this series will vary in denomination from 1 through 10 cents.

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

Customers have 30 days to obtain the first day of issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, by telephone at 1 800 STAMP-24, and at the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:

AMERICAN TOLEWARE DEFINITIVE STAMP
POSTMASTER
6841 ELM ST
MCLEAN VA 22101-9991

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by July 1, 2002.

Stamp Fulfillment Services (SFS) also offers first day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog. Customers may request a free catalog by telephoning 1 800 STAMP-24 or writing to:

INFORMATION FULFILLMENT
DEPT 6270
US POSTAL SERVICE
PO BOX 219014
KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014

First day covers remain on sale for at least 1 year after the stamp's issuance.

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 778100, American Toleware, Coil of 10,000 (WAG)

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will not receive an automatic distribution of Item 778100, 5-cent American Toleware, water activated gum (WAG) coil of 10,000. Automatic distributions will be provided to accountable paper depositories (APDs) and Stamp Service Centers (SSCs).

SDOs requiring quantities of Item 778100 must order them from the appropriate APD using a separate PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition.

Initial Supply to Post Offices

Post Offices requiring quantities of Item 778100 must order them from their designated SDO using a separate PS Form 17. SDOs must not distribute these coils to Post Offices before May 24, 2002.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional coils must requisition them from their designated SDO using a PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional coils must order them from the appropriate APD using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling orders from SDOs, the San Francisco APD will receive 440 coils; the Chicago APD will receive 1,440 coils; the Denver APD will receive 400 coils; and the Memphis and New York APDs will receive 720 coils. For fulfilling supplemental orders from APDs, the Kansas City SSC will receive 8,640 coils.

Philatelic Requirement

Authorized philatelic centers requiring the American Toleware coil of 10,000, must order Item 778100 from their designated SDO using PS Form 17.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 5-2-02

UPDATED ANNOUNCEMENT 02-C

2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery

"2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery" (Announcement 02-C, May 2002), which appears on page 5, is intended to replace the quarterly announcement of the same name, previously printed and sent to customers on request through Stamp Fulfillment Services in Kansas City. The announcement is a listing of stamps and postal stationery items scheduled for issuance during calendar year 2002. Post Offices may wish to post this schedule on their bulletin boards.

Customers may also be directed to access the Postal Bulletin through the Postal Service Web site at www.usps.com, then by clicking on Info, and then Postal Periodicals and Publications.

This announcement will be updated every 2 to 3 months, as changes warrant.

How to Order First Day of Issue Cancellations and Covers

Customers may purchase new stamps or postal stationery items at their Post Office, from the USA Philatelic catalog, by calling 1 800 STAMP-24, or online at www.usps.com by clicking on Buy Stamps & More. Then they should prepare their own covers by affixing new stamps to the upper right corner of envelopes or postcards of their choice, and address those envelopes, postcards, or postal stationery items to themselves or others. (Postage must equal the current First-Class Mail rate.) For sturdiness, include a card of postcard thickness in each cover (envelopes only) submitted, and tuck in the flap. Place the cover in a larger envelope addressed to: NAME OF ISSUE, POSTMASTER, CITY, STATE, and ZIP CODE (followed by -9991). Covers submitted for first day of issue cancellations may include additional uncancelled stamps only if the uncancelled stamps were issued before the first day of issue of the new stamps or postal stationery items. All orders must be postmarked on or before the deadline indicated in the "2002 Stamps and Postal Stationery" announcement that follows.

The U.S. Postal Service offers uncacheted first day covers for new stamp issues and postal stationery items postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Each item has its own catalog number in USA Philatelic, issued quarterly. Customers may request a free catalog by phoning 1 800 STAMP-24, by sending an email to sfs@email.usps.gov, or by writing to: INFORMATION FULFILLMENT, DEPT 6270, US POSTAL SERVICE, PO BOX 219014, KANSAS CITY MO 64121-9014.

- Stamp Services,Government Relations and Public Policy, 5-2-02

2002 STAMPS AND POSTAL STATIONERY
This schedule is subject to change. Announcement 02-C (May 2002)

This is a periodic announcement of new stamps and postal stationery items being issued during the calendar year. For additional information on stamps and stamp products visit our Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com.

Note Descriptions

C: Change in previously announced date, site, and/or rate

N: New issue

P: Pictorial first day postmark

+ Customers must affix additional postage to bring total postage to at least the minimum First-class Mail rate for an envelope or stamped card, depending on which is used. Also, the cost for a stamped envelope is the value of the postage plus 8 cents, and the cost for a stamped card is the value of the postage plus 2 cents.

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

As a community service, the Postal Service offers pictorial cancellations to commemorate local events celebrated in communities throughout the nation. A list of events for which pictorial cancellations are authorized appears below. If available, the sponsor of the pictorial cancellation appears in italics under the date. Also provided, as space permits, are illustrations of those cancellations that were reproducible and available at press time.

People attending these local events may obtain the cancellation in person at the temporary Post Office station established there. Those who cannot attend the event, but who wish to obtain the cancellation, may submit a mail order request. Pictorial cancellations are available only for the dates indicated, and requests must be postmarked no later than 30 days following the requested pictorial cancellation date.

All requests must include a stamped envelope or postcard bearing at least the minimum First-class Mail postage. Items submitted for cancellation may not include postage issued after the date of the requested cancellation. Such items will be returned unserviced.

Customers wishing to obtain a cancellation should affix stamps to any envelope or postcard of their choice, address the envelope or postcard to themselves or others,insert a card of postcard thickness in envelopes for sturdiness, and tuck in the flap. Place the envelope or postcard in a larger envelope and address it to: PICTORIAL CANCELLATIONS, followed by the NAME OF THE STATION,ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP + 4 CODE, exactly as listed below (using all capitals and no punctuation, except the hyphen in the ZIP + 4 code).

Customers can also send stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation, as long as they supply a larger envelope with adequate postage and their return address. After applying the pictorial cancellation, the Postal Service returns the items (with or without addresses) under addressed protective cover.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations and Public Policy, 5-2-02

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Postmasters and plant managers who have any of the special cancellation die hubs listed below may use them for the periods designated. At the end of the period, these die hubs must be withdrawn and stored. Postmasters and plant managers who do not have these special die hubs may not request them from the sponsors.

Post Offices

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

Miscellaneous Cardboard Boxes

If your local supply of Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) rolling stock is insufficient, you may consult with your Area Mail Transport Equipment specialist (AMTES) to order miscellaneous cardboard boxes as a substitute for the rolling stock.

If the AMTES can validate that your local supply of MTE rolling stock is insufficient, he or she will check on the local availability of reusable miscellaneous cardboard boxes.

Finally, if the AMTES finds that no MTE rolling stock and no reusable miscellaneous cardboard are available, your AMTES may place an order for miscellaneous cardboard boxes through one of the two (2) national contracts. Those contracts are the mandated sources.

- Mail Transport Equipment,
Network Operations, Management, 5-2-02

Preparation of Sacks, Mail Trays, and Lids for Reuse

Employees assigned to Postal facility opening units are reminded to look for and remove all ACT (Air Contract Transportation) tags and D&R (Destination/Routing) tags. Despite the fact that ACT tags are obsolete and should no longer be used, they still continue to turn up and must be removed. D&R tags are used on sleeves, lids, and sacks in all networks. Difficulties can result with the scanning system if more than one D&R tag is present to be scanned on a piece of mail or equipment.

Additionally, remove all tray labels from incoming sacks, mail trays, sleeves, and lids. Remove tags and labels immediately after emptying sack or tray contents into opening unit sorting and distribution equipment. Failure to remove used tags and/or tray labels can cause mail to be misrouted when mail transport equipment is reused.

Opening unit supervisors should ensure that adequate trash and/or recycling receptacles are available within the opening unit work area to dispose of removed tags and tray labels.

- Mail Transport Equipment,
Network Operations Management, 5-2-02

Unauthorized Modifications to Plastic Hampers

The Mail Transport Equipment Service Center (MTESC) network is finding a number of unauthorized modifications to Mail Transport Equipment (MTE) EIRS 61P (orange plastic 1046P hampers). One of the most common modifications is a slit that is cut across the top, which is used for the placement of a placard.

When an MTESC receives a 61P hamper in that condition, the hamper meets the criteria for condemnation. Headquarters is working with the MTESCs to ensure that those units are not condemned. However, in order to protect the integrity of the MTE, facilities performing those unauthorized modifications may be subject to chargeback for the destruction of MTE.

All facilities must immediately stop this type of unauthorized modification to all types of MTE or face the consequential chargebacks.

- Mail Transport Equipment,
Network Operations Management, 5-2-02

Employees

CORRECTION

Safety and Health Inspections - Level 20-26 Offices

In Postal Bulletin 22074 (4-18-02, page 84), the article "Level 20-26 Offices: Safety and Health Inspections" contained incorrect navigating instructions for reaching the Safety Checklists page on the Intranet. The correct navigating instructions are included here (corrections are shown in bold).

The Employee Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 824.32, PC Installations With One Hundred Workyears or More, requires a semiannual safety and health inspection of all postal installations with 100 or more workyears of employment in the regular workforce.

In offices with more than 100 employees in the main facility, the servicing safety office should conduct the inspection. In subordinate stations and branches with fewer than 100 employees, the installation head (IH) must ensure that these offices conduct their own inspections.

You can find the inspection checklists and inspection instructions on the Postal Service Intranet. Go to http://blue.usps.gov and click on:

1. Headquarters,

2. Human Resources,

3. Safety & Health,

4. Safety Performance Management,

5. Safety Toolkit Resources Page,

6. Program Management, and then

7. Safety Checklists.

Add the Safety Checklists page under your favorites for quick access. Note: Because the inspection checklists and instructions are available online, Headquarters does not provide these documents by mail.

The postmasters/IHs, or their designees, must:

1. Complete a safety and health inspection using the checklist within 30 days of the date of this Postal Bulletin.

2. Post the inspection.

3. Ensure abatement of all deficiencies in accordance with the instructions.

4. Certify completion of the inspection to the servicing safety office.

- Safety Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 5-2-02

Long-Term Care - Eligibility Information

On September 19, 2000, the US president signed Public Law 106-265, the Long-Term Care Security Act. The act amended federal civil service provisions to direct the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish and administer a program through which federal employees and annuitants, current and retired members of the uniformed services, and their qualified relatives may obtain long-term care insurance through a qualified carrier.

On December 18, 2001, OPM awarded contracts to the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and to the John Hancock Life Insurance Company. The two companies are working in partnership to provide long-term care. They are referred to as Long Term Care (LTC) Partners, LLC.

General information regarding this new program follows.

Eligibility

The following persons are eligible to apply for coverage: all current federal career employees, including US Postal Service and Tennessee Valley Authority employees; noncareer employees who are eligible for federal health benefits; parents, parents-in-law, and stepparents of current employees; spouses and adult children of current employees and annuitants; federal annuitants; survivor annuitants; members of the uniformed services, including military retirees and reservists; uniformed services retirees and reservists (when eligible for an annuity); and Office of Workers Compensation Program (OWCP) recipients who were employed in a position covered under eligibility requirements.

Enrollment

Individuals interested in purchasing an LTC policy must request an application from LTC Partners, complete the application, and submit it directly to LTC Partners. Local personnel offices must not accept applications.

Not all employees who apply for an LTC policy will be eligible for the standard insurance. LTC Partners will ask applicants to complete an underwriting form. The length of the form and the type of questions asked will vary depending on whether the applicant is an active employee, spouse, retiree, and so forth. Nonemployees must complete a more extensive form (full underwriting). LTC Partners reviews the forms, may follow up with further questions or ask for medical documentation, and ultimately determines if applicants qualify for a policy.

Early Enrollment

An early enrollment opportunity is currently underway (March 25 - May 15, 2002). This early enrollment opportunity is strictly for individuals who have already fully researched LTC coverage options and are certain they would like to purchase a policy immediately. This is not an opportunity for individuals who still have many questions or are unsure whether they want to enroll. LTC Partners' current rates and options are now posted on the LTC Partners Web site (the address is shown below).

The effective date of the early enrollment will vary depending on the date the applicant is approved by LTC Partners.

LTC Open Season Enrollment

There will be an official LTC open season July 1 - December 31, 2002, when all potentially eligible individuals may apply for enrollment. LTC Partners has begun distributing educational and informational materials to agency personnel offices via mail, e-mail, posters, brochures, and broadcasts. Current information can also be found on the LTC Partners Web site.

The earliest effective date for individuals who apply during open season is October 1, 2002. Applications received after that date will be effective the first day of the month after the application is approved. The premium will be calculated based on the applicant's age on July 1, 2002.

Premium Payments

Enrollees may choose payroll deduction, direct debit from their bank account, or direct billing from LTC Partners (payroll deduction is not an option for the early enrollment period). The premiums will not be deducted on a pre-tax basis; they will be deducted on an after-tax basis. Enrollees must pay the full premium. There is no agency contribution. Employees may request payroll deduction to pay for the premiums of qualified family members who enroll.

Coverage

All applications are for self only policies. When a policy is purchased, the benefits apply only to the policyholder. The policyholder is the person who files an application, completes the underwriting, and is approved for a policy to receive LTC benefits. The benefits cannot be used for services rendered for other family members. The services must be for the policyholder only.

Rates and Benefits

Information on the plan rates and benefits is now available on the LTC Partners Web site.

Personnel Office Responsibility

Personnel offices are not responsible for the administration of this new program. Personnel's sole responsibility is to display communications information in accordance with local policy. LTC Partners will mail brochures and posters to the same Human Resources address distribution list as is used for Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), and Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) program materials. Personnel offices should direct employee inquiries or concerns to the program information sources shown below.

LTC Program Information Sources

For additional information about the new LTC program, contact the following resources:

LTC Partners LLC: 800-582-3337 (800-LTC-FEDS)
LTC Partners LLC Web site: www.ltcfeds.com
OPM Web site: www.opm.gov/insure/ltc

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 5-2-02

Thrift Savings Plan Open Season and PostalEASE

The next Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) open season is May 15, 2002, through July 31, 2002. TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees, provides a good overview of TSP (Postal Service stocking number (PSN) is 7530-03-000-9364, unit of issue is EA, bulk pack quantity is 150, and edition date is May 2001). The following information should assist personnel offices in conducting this open season.

PostalEASE Used for Enrollment

Employees who wish to make contribution elections must make them during the TSP open season. Employees must use the PostalEASE telephone system to make contribution elections and cancellations. The toll-free number is 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273). The employee must have his or her USPS Personal Identification Number (PIN) to use PostalEASE. For information on PINs, see the section explaining the USPS PIN versus the TSP PIN later in this article. This TSP open season ends July 31, 2002, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time (CT). Personnel and employing offices must not distribute TSP-1, Thrift Savings Plan Election Form, to employees for making TSP open season elections. TSP-1 is no longer stocked at the Material Distribution Center (MDC).

Contacting TSP to Make a Fund Investment Election

An employee has three methods available to make a fund investment election: via the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov, via the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777, and by mailing the new form TSP-50, Investment Allocation (PSN is 7530-05-000-4305, edition date is May 2001) to the TSP Service Office in New Orleans. The Web site and ThriftLine offer more convenient methods, and elections will take effect more quickly than through using TSP-50. TSP-50 is not available from the TSP Web site. Personnel offices must not accept and cannot process completed forms TSP-50. To use the Web site or ThriftLine, employees need to use their TSP PIN.

USPS PIN versus TSP PIN

Employees must use two PINs to make TSP elections.

The USPS PIN is maintained by the Postal Service and must be used to make either a contribution percentage election or dollar amount election or to cancel TSP participation via PostalEASE. An employee who does not know his or her USPS PIN must call PostalEASE. When prompted, the caller must press 1 for PostalEASE. When prompted, the caller must enter the Social Security number. When prompted to enter the PIN, the caller must pause, then press 2. The USPS PIN will be mailed to the employee's address of record, normally the next business day. When an employee requests the USPS PIN, it does not change (unlike the TSP PIN), and the old USPS PIN remains valid. (The USPS PIN is the same PIN employees use for phone bidding and computerized bidding.)

The TSP PIN is maintained by TSP and must be used to make fund investment choices via the TSP Web site and the TSP ThriftLine. An employee who is a TSP participant and who does not know his or her TSP PIN may choose one of three methods to have a new TSP PIN mailed to his or her address of record. Available methods are: (1) Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov and select Account Access. (2) Call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777, choose 2, enter the Social Security number, then listen to the instructions. (3) Call the TSP Service Office at 504-255-6000. Once TSP has received a TSP PIN request, the old TSP PIN is no longer valid.

Direct Mailings to Employees

Direct mailings to employees include the following:

• Career employees receive from the national level a direct mailing of leaflet TSP0502, TSP Open Season (PSN is 7530-05-000-4884; unit of issue is EA; bulk pack quantity is 4,800), and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing addresses of record during May.

• In addition to the leaflet noted above, newly eligible career employees receive from the national level a direct mailing of TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees (PSN is 7530-03-000-9364; unit of issue is EA; bulk pack quantity is 150; edition date is May 2001), as well as a cover letter and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing addresses of record soon after their accession PS Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, is processed.

The return address for undeliverable TSP enrollment instructions for newly eligible employees is the employing office of record. The disposition of returned items is at the discretion of the district office or other administering office. Forwarding a returned enrollment package to an employee offers that employee an opportunity to submit a correct PS Form 1216, Employee's Current Mailing Address (PSN is 7530-02-000-7354; Quick Pick number is 118; unit of issue is SE; bulk pack quantity is 4,000).

Eligibility

All career employees are eligible to make employee contribution elections this open season (subject to financial hardship withdrawal and cancellation exclusions). FERS employees hired before January 1, 2002, receive Agency Automatic Contributions (1 percent) and Agency Matching Contributions (as appropriate) beginning in July 2002.

All employees who participated in TSP and cancelled their TSP contributions after January 31, 2002, are not eligible to participate in this TSP open season. They must wait for the TSP open season beginning November 15, 2002.

Effective Dates

The windows of opportunity for employees to make TSP open season elections via PostalEASE, which automates the processing of TSP elections, and the resulting effective dates are as follows.

Because PostalEASE provides employees the ability to complete a TSP open season election without contacting the local personnel office and automates the processing of such elections, it should minimize use of PS Form 6886, Thrift Savings Plan - Request for Retroactive Contributions, which is completed in cases of administrative error for TSP open season elections. Personnel offices have the authority to determine whether an administrative error has occurred. If an error has delayed a TSP open season election past the appropriate effective date, personnel and the employee must complete PS Form 6886 and submit it to the Eagan Accounting Service Center (ASC). The effective dates for elections delayed due to administrative error must be made retroactive to July 13 or July 27, 2002, depending on the date the employee would have otherwise entered his or her open season election via PostalEASE. (PS Form 6886, which was published in Postal Bulletin 21665, 3-31-88, must be reproduced locally as needed.) Personnel offices also have the authority to determine whether a belated open season election opportunity exists. If so, personnel must submit the employee's election to the Eagan ASC for processing, in accordance with administrative instructions provided to personnel offices regarding PostalEASE. Belated open season elections are not retroactive in most circumstances.

Note: Processing deadlines and the closing date of this TSP open season require using only two pay periods as indicated above.

Open Season Materials

In addition to the direct mailing of TSP information to employees, the MDC will automatically distribute residual supplies of the open season leaflet TSP0502, TSP Open Season, to Human Resources at district offices, area offices, processing and distribution centers/facilities (PDC/Fs), bulk mail centers (BMCs), airport mail centers/facilities (AMC/Fs), remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units.

Non-Open Season Materials

Because of TSP policy changes, these two items have been created or revised: TSP-16, Exception to Spousal Requirements (edition date is January 2002), and TSP-65, Request to Combine Uniformed Services and Civilian TSP Accounts (edition date is January 2002). All prior editions of these items are obsolete and must be discarded or recycled where appropriate.

The MDC has completed its automatic distribution of the above non-open season items to Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units.

Ordering TSP Items

Offices may place orders for new or revised TSP items with the MDC on an as-needed basis. Please note that it is not necessary to maintain a large stock of forms and/or publications such as the Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees since they are mailed to each newly hired career employee from the national level. In all cases where the MDC will stock the new or revised TSP item, the MDC has made an initial distribution to Human Resources at installations as noted earlier. Offices may check the TSP Web site for new or revised items. However, note that TSP-50 will not be available from the TSP Web site.

Participant Statements

Employees with a TSP account will receive a participant statement from the TSP Service Office in May 2002.

Publicity

Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, the Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units receive a supply of posters this open season from the MDC. Installations that receive the posters must widely distribute them and post them on bulletin boards.

To assist in publicizing the TSP open season, all offices must post (1) the open season notice on page 26 of this Postal Bulletin through July 31, 2002, and (2) the current TSP fact sheet on bulletin boards.

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 5-2-02

Thrift Savings Plan Policy Changes,
TSP Open Season, and PostalEASE

TSP Contribution Use PostalEASE telephone enrollment system during TSP open season to Elections and begin contributing, change contribution amount or percentage, or cancel TSP Cancellations contributions.

(USPS PIN) To use PostalEASE, you will need your Social Security number (SSN) and USPS Personal Identification Number (PIN), available only from PostalEASE.

Call toll free: 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273).

Don't know your USPS PIN? Call PostalEASE; press 1; enter SSN; when prompted to enter PIN, pause, then press 2. Your USPS PIN will be mailed to your address of record, usually by the next business day.

Career employees who have trouble using PostalEASE, or who are unable to use a telephone, may contact local personnel office for help.

TSP Fund Investment Contact TSP directly, during or outside TSP open season, to change Elections investment of future TSP contributions or money already in account.

(TSP PIN) Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov, or call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777. Or mail TSP-50, Investment Allocation, to TSP (available from your local personnel office; election not effective as quickly).

To use the TSP Web site or TSP ThriftLine you must know your TSP PIN (available only from TSP).

Don't know your TSP PIN? Request it from www.tsp.gov - choose Account Access. Or via TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777 - press 2, enter SSN, follow instructions. Or call TSP Service Office at 504-255-6000 and speak to a representative. Your new TSP PIN will be mailed to your address of record.

When and Who May 15, 2002, through July 31, 2002 - all career employees

PostalEASE and TSP A TSP leaflet with PostalEASE instructions is mailed to all career employees. Information Mailed to If mailing is not received by mid June, contact your local personnel office. Career Employees In addition, a TSP Summary, cover letter, and PostalEASE instructions are mailed to all newly hired career employees soon after their accession PS Form 50 action is processed.

Closing Date and Time PostalEASE closes 5:00 P.M. Central Time on July 31, 2002, for TSP open season elections.

Please post on all bulletin boards through July 31, 2002.

[D-Link]

Purchasing and Materials

PUBLICATION 247 REVISION

Ordering Procedures for Postmarking Ring Dies and Die Hubs

Effective immediately, Publication 247, Supply and Equipment Catalog, is revised to reflect changes pertaining to ordering ring dies and die hubs.

Special cancellation die hubs are non-Postal cancellations. Post Offices may not order a special die hub on behalf of a sponsor before contacting and receiving authorization from Headquarters Business Mail Acceptance (BMA). After authorization has been granted, BMA supplies PS Form 3617, Order for Special Canceling Machine Die Hubs. Additional setup fees are incurred for these dies.

Special cancellation die hubs may be ordered only if the request meets the description outlined in Domestic Mail Manual G900.2.1 (philatelic services, special cancellations).

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Publication 247 and into the online version, available on the Postal Service PolicyNet page on the corporate intranet at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on Publications.

Publication 247, Supply and Equipment Catalog

* * * * *

1 Introduction

* * * * *

12 Requisitioning Instructions

* * * * *

123 Requisitioning Special Orders

* * * * *

123.3 Pre-Inked and Self-Inking Stamps and Postmarking Equipment

* * * * *

123.32 Ordering Instructions

* * * * *

123.323 Postmarking Ring Dies and Die Hubs

123.3231 Essential Information

[Revise 123.3231 to read as follows:]

Supplier:

HANLEY POSTAL SUPPLY INC
ATTN DIANE WILER
PO BOX 10006
ERIE PA 16514-0006
TELEPHONE 814-898-2720
FAX 814-898-2825

Additional engraving: Postal facilities may order up to 4 characters, letters, or numbers, per die, of additional engraving detail that may be used to identify specific machines or locations on either the lead or trail ring dies (or both). The cost of a lead or a trail with the additional engraving is $35.25 ($31.50 for the die and $3.75 for the additional engraving). A lead and trail set with additional engraving on both dies is $70.50.

Supplier:

PITNEY BOWES INC
ATTN TRINH WONG
WALTER WHEELER JR DR
LOCATION 12-29
STAMFORD CT 06926-0700
TELEPHONE 203-356-5283
FAX 203-356-6067

Part # Price
O7410 $27.50
(aka PB5393012)

Supplier:

INTERNATIONAL PTT COMPANY
ATTN JIM JIRANEK
1400 ALPINE RD
WELLSVILLE PA 17365-9779
TELEPHONE 717-248-9665
FAX 717-248-4241

Note: Prices shown are valid for orders placed on or before 2/28/2003. For orders placed after 2/28/2003, consult the Postal Bulletin or call the supplier for current pricing.

* * * * *

- Materials,
Purchasing and Materials, 5-2-02

NOTICE

Heroes of 2001 Pins for Sale

Use of the Heroes of 2001 stamp image remains highly restricted. The Postal Service has now been granted the right to use the image on pins for Postal premiums.

The pins are not for resale.

You can order the pins using authorized Postal Service purchase methods from the following list of official licensees.

* Agreement not yet fully executed.

If you have any questions concerning these pins, please call Tiffani St. Cloud at Postal Service Headquarters at 202-268-8116 or send an email to licensing@usps.com.

- Licensing, Public Affairs and Communications, 5-2-02

NOTICE AND ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

Postal Service/Enersys, Inc., Partnership for Industrial and Automotive Batteries

On March 26, 2002, the Postal Service formed a strategic partnership with Enersys, Inc., to meet our nationwide industrial and automotive battery requirements. Under this agreement the industrial batteries will be Enersys brands (General and Exide) and the automotive batteries will be Interstate. This partnership is part of Purchasing and Materials' commitment to effective supply chain management. It will provide cost savings through leveraged national buying, transaction cost savings, and streamlined procedures.

This 5-year contract with a 5-year renewal option will meet the Postal Service's present and future requirements for industrial and automotive batteries. It will also maximize service response and increase standardization opportunities with every new purchase. The contract is expected to save the Postal Service 10.4% over the average of previously paid pricing. Under this partnership agreement, the Postal Service must purchase all industrial and automotive batteries from Enersys. Enersys will also supply other types of specialty and general-purpose batteries.

Ordering Instructions

For product prices and general information, contact Enersys, Inc., at 800-844-8999, or visit the Greensboro Purchasing and Material Service Center online at http://blue.ups.gov/purchase/material/pmsc/greensboro. Material Logistics Bulletin MLB-CO-02-004 contains complete ordering instructions. All pricing for equipment under this contract is FOB destination.

When contacting Enersys, you must provide the following information:

• Basic requirements (an Enersys industry specialist can help you develop these requirements).

• Delivery location and point of contact.

• Application (light-duty, heavy-duty).

Industrial Batteries

Industrial batteries will be available through eBuy soon. In the interim, use the expense IMPAC credit card for purchases under $10,000.

Automotive Batteries

eBuy is also being adapted to process automotive battery requests. The system will contain some different functionality to accommodate Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) consignment requirements. The Postal Service and Enersys are working together to develop a solution. Until that time, VMFs must use the repair parts IMPAC credit card for purchases under $10,000. Note that only VMFs are authorized to purchase vehicle batteries.

Battery Purchases Over $10,000

For industrial and automotive battery purchases over $10,000, complete and forward a properly approved and funded PS Form 7381, Requisition for Supplies, Services, or Equipment, to the Greenboro Purchasing and Materials Service Center (PMSC); e-mail this form to ebeck001@email.usps.gov, fax it to 336-665-2866, or mail it to the following:

ATTN ERIC J BECK
GREENSBORO PURCHASING AND MATERIALS SERVICE CENTER
PO BOX 27496
GREENSBORO NC 27498-0001

The Greensboro PMSC will process all delivery orders for batteries not available on eBuy. If you have questions regarding this contract, contact Eric J. Beck, commodity manager, Greensboro PMSC, at 336-665-2871 or 800-627-7211.

- Materials,
Purchasing and Materials, 5-2-02

Retail

REMINDER

Setting Electronic Manually Reset Meters

Retail unit employees who reset meters may have already begun to see customers presenting meter resetting authorization letters. Retail unit employees are instructed not to reset any meter unless the customer presents an original, valid authorization letter.

In Postal Bulletin 22072 (3-21-02, page 108), the article "Announcement: Setting Electronic Manually Reset Meters After April 30, 2002" contained the information you need. The article describes how to recognize that the licensee is presenting an original authorization letter. Those authorization letters were printed on special security paper.

If customers have not received the authorization letter or if they have questions or other issues, tell them to contact their meter manufacturer immediately. Any communication with the Postal Service on this subject must be initiated through the manufacturer.

The meter manufacturer contacts for users of manually reset meters are as follows:

Francotyp-Postalia, Inc.
Telephone: 630-827-5761
E-mail: tsokley@fp-usa.com

Hasler, Inc. (formerly, Ascom Hasler)
Telephone: 800-237-9157
E-mail: mc@ahmail.com

Neopost, Inc.
Telephone: 800-NEOPOST, ext. 3717 or selection 3
E-mail: meterinventory@neopostinc.com
Fax: 510-489-7205

Pitney Bowes, Inc.
Telephone: 800-MRBOWES
E-mail: mrbowes@pb.com
Fax: 800-688-2728

DON'T FORGET:
NO METER WILL BE RESET
WITHOUT A VALID AUTHORIZATION LETTER

- Postage Technology Management,
Product Development, 5-2-02

FIELD NOTIFICATION

Requests for Information on Meter Licensees

In the past, customers have contacted local Post Offices to request information regarding the holder of a meter license. Those requests are subject to applicable Postal Service policies, including privacy, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) concerning what and how information should be disclosed.

In order to ensure compliance with these policies and to guard against disclosure of information that the Postal Service is required to protect, we are changing the procedures for providing this information. Effective immediately, customers must not make requests for such information at the local Post Office. Instead, customers must make those requests in writing and must send them to:

METER LICENSEE INFORMATION REQUEST
POSTAGE TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT
1735 NORTH LYNN STREET ROOM 5011
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6370

The requesting customer must include the original envelope or mailing wrapper showing the indicia for which the information is requested, as well as the mailing address and return address. A photocopy may be acceptable only if all information is clearly legible. This will allow us to verify to whom the meter was licensed at the time of the mailing and will ensure the accuracy of our response.

We will decline a request if we determine that the information is being requested for an individual rather than a business or firm. In order to support the reason for the request, requesting customers should include copies of the contents contained in the envelope or a description of the contents of a package. To facilitate a timely response, the requesting customer should include an e-mail address or telephone number in addition to a mailing address.

- Postage Technology Management,
Product Development, 5-2-02