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USPSNEWS@WORK

95% EXFC! USPS employees deliver record-breaking service performance

You did it! You delivered record-breaking performance for overnight First-Class MailŪ service, achieving a nationwide service score of 95% - a first - during quarter 2.

"This record-breaking service is remarkable in its own right," said David Fineman, Chairman of the Board of Governors, "but this exceptional level of service also was realized during one of the worst winters in recent memory."

The record performance came as the Postal Service was reporting that for the first time in its history, the number of addresses it delivers to in the U.S. has surpassed 140 million.

The 95% on-time delivery service score occurred between Nov. 30, 2002 and Feb. 21, 2003. This is the fourth consecutive quarter First-Class Mail delivery has reached 94% and above.

The San Jose Performance Cluster (PC) led the nation with a score of 97%, while 13 other PCs achieved on-time delivery performance scores of 96%.

First-Class Mail service delivery performance is measured by IBM's Business Consulting Services unit, using the External First-Class measurement system, or EXFC.

It provides an independent assessment of the time it takes a piece of First-Class Mail, once it's deposited into a collection box, to be delivered.

EXFC service performance scores are measured by testing 463 ZIP Code areas selected on the basis of geography and volume density, from which 90% of First-Class Mail volume originates and 80% destinates.

Spirit of innovation: Technology and automation drive service performance

Beneath the Postal Service's warm and fuzzy exterior beats a high-tech heart, said PMG Jack Potter in an interview with Office Solutions magazine.

Last year USPS collected, processed and delivered nearly 203 billion pieces of mail - more than 40% of the world's mail volume. "That's 675 million pieces on an average day," Potter said. "Laid end to end, that would circle the globe four times. We couldn't keep up with that volume without automation."

• The Postal Service entered the automation age in the early 1980s. So far, USPS has deployed 15,000 pieces of automation equipment.

• "This equipment has replaced labor-intensive manual sorting operations where productivity is typically 500 pieces per hour or less," Potter said.

• In comparison, barcoded letter mail can be sorted at speeds up to 34,650 letters per hour, and nonbarcoded letter mail up to 31,500.

• Potter said read rates on handwritten mail have increased dramatically from 2% in 1997 to 80% today.

• The Postal Service has long embraced technology and innovation, said Potter. He cited development of CONFIRM as an example of adding value to our core services. "CONFIRM is a new product that helps customers track mailpieces sent by First-Class MailŪ or Standard Mail service. This service is designed for larger mailers," Potter said.

• Office Solutions concludes the article with this observation: "The Postal Service couldn't do what it does every day if it hadn't adopted automation and technology at every level."

• And we couldn't do it without the 740,000 employees who make it happen every day.

Congress thanked for CSRS support: PMG Potter testifies before House subcommittee

Postmaster General Jack Potter has thanked members of Congress for supporting legislation to change the way the Postal Service funds its Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) obligation.

• If such legislation is enacted, it would allow USPS to "significantly pay down our current debt and enable us to hold rates steady until 2006," said Potter in testimony before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and Independent Agencies.

• "In these times of uncertainty, this stability would also give the entire mailing industry a booster shot to speed recovery from a sluggish economy," he said.

• Separate audits conducted by the Office of Personnel Management and General Accounting Office both concluded that the Postal Service was on track to overpay its CSRS obligation, the PMG said.

USPSNEWS@WORK

• Congress wasn't the only one to receive the PMG's thanks. Potter also praised Postal Service employees for their efforts at delivering service. "I can't say enough about our employees . . . they all have performed superbly this past year," he said.

• "Service performance across the country is the highest it's ever been," the PMG said. And, productivity is on pace to increase for the fourth consecutive year, he added.

Potter made three appropriations requests: $29 million for revenue foregone reimbursements, $36.5 million for free mail for the blind and for overseas voting materials and $350 million in emergency response funds for anthrax-related costs.

Noting that mail is a "fundamental communications link" for the men and women serving overseas, Potter told the subcommittee that approximately 4,400 Postal Service employees who are members of the Reserve or National Guard have been called to active duty.

USPS is working with the Military Postal Service to keep families connected through the mail during this time of conflict, the PMG said. "Even in a time of e-mail, nothing replaces traditional letters and packages," he told the Representatives.

A click away: Online telephone directory puts information at your fingertips

The Postal Service online telephone directory at http://contact.usps.gov is keeping people connected with listings of over 80,000 employees nationwide.

The directory's search engine has been enhanced to let users search for any EAS (non-bargaining) or PCES employee by job title or by Area. You also can search by name and location, including city, state and ZIP Code, or any combination of those.

Simple, fast and effective, this increasingly popular self-service tool is used thousands of times each day.

The directory is automatically updated regularly, but employees should take time to verify that their personal contact information is correct. To update or add information, click on your name and use the "edit" feature.

Need a Headquarters directory? Two choices are available: the employee directory and the new organizational directory. The employee directory has a complete alphabetical listing of all HQ employees. The organization directory lists managers by functional area. Click the Printable Directory button and make your selection.

Employees also can access the directory by clicking the banner on the Blue page at http://blue.usps.gov. The site's feedback option allows users to submit comments or suggestions to the online telephone directory folks directly.

The USPS online telephone directory is brought to you by Finance and Information Technology. It keeps employees connected.

USPS News Link has changed . . . for the better

We're transforming the way you receive Link.

cc:Mail users are now receiving Link in an easier-to- launch Microsoft Word attachment. No PowerPoint to launch and the file is much smaller.

Employees who are on the new Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) and get their e-mails on Microsoft Outlook now receive Link in a new in-text version within the body of the e-mail message. No attachments to click . . . just a straightforward Link in a clean, reader-friendly format.

Once the ACE rollout is complete, and all Postal Service e-mail users are on Outlook, all Link subscribers will receive the in-text version. That change could happen sooner than you think - employees are being migrated to ACE at a rate of several thousand a month.

The new Link is leaner and easier to read. It also has a new feature - Newsstand - brief reports on the top Postal Service and mailing industry news being reported in the media.

And coming soon, USPS News Link Online. Stay tuned.

Diversity: Preparing USPS for the future

Achieving diversity requires the strategic cooperation of the Postal Service, along with employees, customers and suppliers. Diversity Development rolled out its five-year strategic plan last month to help do just that.

The new strategic plan outlines ways to enhance a performance-based business culture by successfully managing diversity in today's world.

"The strategies and tactics presented in this plan are central to building and maintaining a business culture where all employees and customers are treated with dignity and respect," said Diversity Development Vice President Murry Weatherall.

USPSNEWS@WORK

"By valuing diversity, USPS will achieve maximum corporate success and positive recognition as a world-class business leader," said PMG Jack Potter. The plan is available on Blue. Read it for yourself at http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/diversityplan/strategicplan/welcome.htm.

Tax time: April 15 fast approaching

The IRS appreciates our timely delivery of tax forms to the American public. It also reminds Postal Service employees to comply with filing tax returns and paying any balances owed.

While the federal employee compliance rate is higher than that of the general public, there's always room for improvement.

What's more, section 661.66 of the ELM says "an employee must pay each just financial obligation in a proper and timely manner, especially one imposed by law, such as federal, state or local taxes." Need help? Go to www.irs.gov.

Spring swing

The Postal Service spring retail drive period is underway. Residential customers are the target market for the spring retail campaign.

Lobby posters and point-of-purchase messaging emphasize the "Real Time" advertising campaign featuring Priority MailŪ service.

And in addition to Priority Mail service, lobby messages also feature Express MailŪ service, Global Express MailTM and phone cards, and remind customers about alternate access locations for buying stamps.

Plastic power

Apply online for the Employee Platinum Visa affinity credit card on the Web at www.postalemployeevisa.com. The card is for Postal Service employees and their families, has no annual fee and comes with 0% APR for six months. The USPS affinity credit card is for personal use only. It doesn't replace official government travel, purchase or fleet cards.

The Postal Bulletin — Help Us Save Paper and Money

The Postal Bulletin has been around for 123 years, and it's the most relied-upon, trusted source of information in the Postal Service today.

In the 1970s, when our nation became more concerned about our environment, the Postal Service began using recycled paper to print the Postal Bulletin. We have also tried over the years to print just the right number of copies to save our nation's resources.

Despite our efforts, some offices tell us that they receive too many copies. We need to do something about this.

Therefore, if you want to reduce the number of copies your office receives or if you want to cancel your subscription altogether, send an e-mail to pbulleti@email.usps.gov or call 202-268-5776. Please be assured that we will not reduce or cancel your subscription unless you ask us to do so.

Remember, each issue of the Postal Bulletin since 1995 is available online. To access the online version of the Postal Bulletin, please follow either of these routes:

On the Intranet: Go to the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on View Postal Bulletins.

On the Internet: Go to www.usps.com; click on About USPS & News, then Forms and Publications, then Postal Bulletin.

For more information on the Postal Bulletin, please see our article in Postal Bulletin 22097 (3-6-03, pages 5-6) titled "The Postal Bulletin — Your Source for Trusted Information."

We've come a long way, and we'll continue to evolve with the times. Our job is to make your job easier. As you know, the Postal Bulletin is here to serve you, as it has been for almost 125 years.

— Policies and Procedures Information,
Public Affairs and Communications, 4-3-03


Administrative Services

Directives and Forms Update

Effective immediately, Publication 223, Directives and Forms Catalog (June 1999), is revised. The tables below contain the document ID, edition date, title, national stock number (NSN), and the Postal Service and public supply source for all new, revised, and obsolete directives and forms. Use this article to keep Publication 223 current. Information on how to order directives and forms is available in chapter 1 of Publication 223.

IWEB = Intranet = http://blue.usps.gov; click onInformation, then Policies and Procedures.

WWW = USPS Web page = www.usps.com.

PE = Postal Explorer = http://pe.usps.gov.

F3 = F3 Fill Software.

New Directives

Handbooks

PSIN TL Edition Date Title Stock Number Manual Relation Org. USPS Source Public Source
HBK MS-212 1 10/01/02 Wide Field of View Camera (WFOV) 7610-05-000-5069 POM ENG MDC R

Revised Directives

Handbooks

PSIN TL Edition Date Title Stock Number Manual Relation Org. USPS Source Public Source
HBK EL-911 blank 11/02 Agreement between United States Postal Service & National Postal Professional Nurses 1999 - 2004 7610-03-000-0355 ELM LR MDC N/A

Publications

PSIN TL Edition Date Title Stock Number Manual Relation Org. USPS Source Public Source
PUB 42 blank 02/03 Manager's Guide to Retaining Career Employees 7610-03-000-8772 blank DD MDC MDC
PUB 164 blank 01/03 Compensation Relocation Benefits, and Reinstatement Policies for Career Employees in 7610-05-000-4393 blank ERM MDC N/A
PUB 257 blank 01/03 Misleading Advertisements: Media Guidelines 7610-03-000-9174 blank IS MDC MDC

Revised Forms

PSIN Edition Date Oldest Usable Date Title Stock Number Where Used Unit of Issue Org. USPS Source Public Source
PS 969 3/03 3/03 Material Recycling and Disposal (5-part set) 7530-02-000-7258 PS SE P&M MDC/
IWEB
N/A
PS 1357-S 1/03 1/03 (Customer) Request for Computer Access N/A PU SH PD IWEB WWW
PS 5051 1/03 1/03 Confirmation Services - Electronic Option Application N/A PU SH PD IWEB WWW
PS 5051-C 1/03 1/03 Confirmation Services - Electronic Option Checklist N/A PU SH PD IWEB WWW

Obsolete Directives

Handbooks

PSIN TL Edition Date Title Stock Number Manual Relation Org. USPS Source Public Source
HBK DM-701 blank 01/97 Procedures for Mailer Applications 7610-03-000-8945 DMM P&C MDC P/F

Management Instructions

PSIN Edition Date Title Stock Number Org. USPS Source Public Source
MI AS-830-93-8 12/23/93 Coordinating Access to Data from National Information System 7610-03-000-8947 IT MDC N/A
MI as-830-93-4 8/20/93 Data Stewardship 7610-03-000-9280 IT HQO N/A

Publications

PSIN TL Edition Date Title Stock Number Manual Relation Org. USPS Source Public Source
PUB 304 blank 9/1/97 Information Desk 7610-04-000-4269 blank S&M MDC N/A

— Policies and Procedures Information, Public Affairs and Communications, 4-3-03

ASM REVISION

Preserving the Postal Service Brand

Effective April 3, 2003, the policy regarding Postal Service brand equity is revised. The Postal Service is in a time of transformation. As a presidential commission studies our status as a quasi-government organization, the importance of preserving and communicating the Postal Service brand to the public and upholding our commitment to serving every American, every day, everywhere is more important than ever before. The Postal Service is a symbol of trust and dependability in the life of Americans, and all employees should be aware of how to preserve that symbol and must comply with the usage guidelines set by the office of Brand Equity and Design.

Specific guidelines for using the Postal Service logo, corporate signature, and trademarks on everything from stationery to vehicles, are available on the Postal Service Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov; click on the Selected References drop-down box, and click on Pub. 500 Guidelines.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the ASM and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on Manuals.

Administrative Services Manual (ASM)

* * * * *

4 Relations With Other Organizations

* * * * *

43 Postal Service Brand Equity

[Revise subchapter 43 to read as follows:]

431 Postal Service Brand

The United States Postal Service brand is the sum of all the characteristics that are tangible and intangible, in its verbal and visual messaging, that make its products and services unique to consumers, employees, and other stakeholders. The Postal Service brand is the essence of a customer's perception of the Postal Service. It includes the logo, the look, the feel, the sound, the image, and the "face" that the Postal Service presents to the customer.

432 Brand Identity

The Postal Service's brand identity is a unique set of attributes that defines the Postal Service based on the experiences, impressions, and emotions of our customers, employees, and stakeholders when they have contact with Postal Service products, services, employees, images, and communications.

The combination of the Eagle symbol and the corporate logotype are the main brand identity elements used to advertise, promote, and communicate the Postal Service in all of its corporate and marketing communications and across all business channels - customer- to-customer, customer-to-business, business-to-business, and business-to-customer. From corporate stationery to packaging materials, the consistent use of the Eagle symbol and the corporate logotype are recognized as the Postal Service brand.

433 Brand Equity

433.1 Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the vice president of Public Affairs and Communications to develop, disseminate, and maintain policies, procedures, and practices that preserve and build the value of the brand by facilitating and coordinating all brand-related activities with, to, and for all stakeholders throughout the United States Postal Service (see 113.21).

433.2 Review and Approval Process

433.21 General

The Postal Service brand must be presented clearly and consistently in all applications from advertising to signs. The brand defines the Postal Service for its customers and employees. To protect the brand, the manager of Brand Equity and Design must approve all uses of the brand and brand identity. This includes the following:

a. Advertising (print, radio, TV, Web audio, video, etc).

b. Visual (print or video) and verbal (radio, TV, Web audio, etc.) messaging that is produced for internal and external audiences.

c. Web pages on both the Internet and the Postal Service Intranet.

d. New ventures that require naming and/or the use of a logo, symbols, or graphics.

e. Film.

f. Packaging.

g. Presentations.

h. Printed materials (stationery, directives, forms, reports, etc.).

i. Signs.

433.22 Getting Approval

Employees or customers who wish to use the Postal Service brand in any of the applications listed in 433.21 or any other application must first obtain the approval of the manager of Brand Equity and Design, Public Affairs and Communications. Submit all materials for approval prior to their release. To obtain approval, use the Postal Service corporate clearance procedures outlined in Management Instruction AS-310-96-3, Management of Policy and Procedure Information - Paper and On-Line. To eliminate improper use of the brand, develop each conceptual use of the brand with the manager of Brand Equity and Design whenever possible. However, if you have prepared products, presentations, books, marketing materials, or advertisements that use the brand in any of the applications listed in 433.21 without consulting the manager of Brand Equity and Design, you must obtain review and approval before releasing them.

* * * * *

— Design and Brand Equity,
Public Affairs and Communications, 4-3-03

HANDBOOK REVISION

Changes to Password Requirements

Handbook AS-805, Information Security, has been revised to bring password requirements into alignment with current Postal Service needs.

In chapter 9, subsection 9-7.1.1, in list items "a" and "b," the phrase "at least one character from each of the following" replaces "elements from three of the four following types of characters," and we have deleted the phrase "nonalphanumeric characters (special characters such as &, #, and $)." In chapter 9, subsection 9-7.1.5, list item "c," we have changed the length of time a password can be used before it expires from 90 to 180 days.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed and online versions of Handbook AS-805. The latter is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.

Handbook AS-805, Information Security

* * * * *

9 Information Security Services

* * * * *

9-7 Authentication

* * * * *

9-7.1 Passwords

* * * * *

9-7.1.1 Password Selection Requirements

* * * * *

[Revise items a and b to read as follows:]

a. For privileged users and personnel in technology areas, passwords must consist of at least six characters and contain at least one character from each of the following: English uppercase letters (A-Z), English lowercase letters (AZ), and westernized Arabic numerals (0-9).

b. For all other users, passwords must consist of at least six alphanumeric characters. It is recommended that all other users choose passwords that contain at least one character from each of the following: English uppercase letters (AZ), English lowercase letters (AZ), and westernized Arabic numerals (0-9).

* * * * *

9-7.1.5 Password Expiration

* * * * *

[Revise item c to read as follows:]

c. At least every 180 days, passwords for all other accounts must be aged and changed.

* * * * *

—Corporate Information Security Office,
Information Technology, 4-3-03

HANDBOOK REVISION

New Password Requirements for General Users

Handbook AS-805-C, Information Security for General Users, has been revised to bring password requirements into alignment with current Postal Service needs.

In chapter 2, in the section "Creating A Password," the third bulleted item of this section is revised.

We will incorporate this revision into the online version of the handbook, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs.

Handbook AS-805-C, Information Security for General Users

* * * * *

2. Logon IDs, Passwords, and PINS

* * * * *

Creating A Password

* * * * *

[Revise the third bulleted item to read as follows:]

Use at least one character from each of the following:

- Uppercase letters (AZ).

- Lowercase letters (AZ).

- Numbers (0-9).

* * * * *

— Corporate Information Security Office,
Information Technology, 4-3-03


Customer Relations

Mail Alert

The mailings below will be deposited in the near future. Offices should honor the requested delivery dates. Mailers wishing to participate in these alerts, for mailings of 1 million pieces or more, should contact Business Service Network Integration at 703-292-4041 at least 1 month preceding the requested delivery dates. The Postal Service also offers electronic Mail Alerts via ADVANCE. For more information, see the ADVANCE Notification & Tracking System Technical Guide on the Internet at http://www.ribbs.usps.gov/files/advance/ADVTECH.PDF or contact the National Customer Support Center at 800-458-3181.

Title of Mailing Class and
Type of Mail
Requested
Delivery
Dates
Number of Pieces (Millions) Distribution Presort Level Comments
April Sears Day Mailer Standard 4/1/03-4/3/03 17.0 Nationwide Car-Rt Harte-Hanks
Midnight Velvet Standard 4/7/03-4/10/03 1.0 Nationwide Barcoded, Basic, 3/5 Digit, Car-Rt Quad Graphics, Lomira, WI
JCP Summer Women's Plus Standard/Catalog 4/11/03-4/14/03 2.5 Nationwide Car-Rt Quebecorworld
JCP Swim Sale Standard/Catalog 4/11/03-4/14/03 1.0 Nationwide Car-Rt Quebecorworld
JCP April Insider's Perks Standard/Flat 4/14/03-4/16/03 6.0 Nationwide Car-Rt Harte-Hanks
JCP Havanera Standard/Flat 4/14/03-4/16/03 1.0 Nationwide Car-Rt Harte-Hanks
Billy Graham Letter Standard/Letter 4/15/03-4/29/03 1.3 Nationwide Barcoded, Basic, 3/5 Digit Minneapolis
- Business Service Network Integration,
Service and Market Development, 4-3-03


Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Horizontally Divided Card Rate Mailpieces

Effective April 3, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C100.2.6 is revised to further clarify the format standards for displaying a message area on the address side of a First-Class MailŪ card rate mailpiece that is divided horizontally.

The address side of a card rate mailpiece is the side bearing the delivery address, postage, and any Postal Service marking or endorsement. At the mailer's option, the address side may also contain a message area.

DMM C100.2.6 requires that cards that are claimed at either a First-Class Mail Presorted or automation card rate and that have a message area on the address side must be divided either vertically or horizontally to separate the message area from the address area. When divided horizontally, the delivery address, postage, and any Postal Service marking or endorsement must appear within either the upper or the lower portion of the card.

The revision to DMM C100.2.6 provides an alternative for the format of the address side of a horizontally divided card. When the delivery address appears in the lower portion of a horizontally divided card, it is permissible for the postage, return address, and any Postal Service marking or endorsement to be located in the upper portion of the address side of the card.

To be eligible for the First-Class Mail card rate, all cards claimed at a card rate must continue to meet the physical size standards in C100.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

* * * * *

C100 First-Class Mail

* * * * *

2.0 CARDS CLAIMED AT CARD RATES

* * * * *

2.6 Address Side

***Cards claimed at the Presorted or automation card rates that contain a message area on the address side must be divided vertically or horizontally and meet the following additional standards, as applicable:

* * * * *

b. Horizontally divided cards.

* * * * *

[Revise item 2.6b(2) to read as follows:]

(2) The delivery address, postage, and any Postal Service marking or endorsement must appear within the portion containing the delivery address. As an alternative, when the delivery address appears within the lower portion, it is permissible for the postage, return address, and any Postal Service marking or endorsement to appear in the upper portion. The portion bearing the delivery address must be at least 1-1/2 inches high (measured from the top or bottom edge of the card, as applicable, right edge to left edge inclusive).

* * * * *

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03

DMM REVISION

Repositionable Notes Applied to Automation Rate First-Class Mail and Standard Mail Letter-Size Mailpieces

Effective April 3, 2003, the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C810 is revised to allow repositionable notes to be applied to First-Class MailŪ and Standard Mail letter-size mailpieces that otherwise qualify for automation letter rates, if certain standards under C810.7.0 are met. A repositionable note is a 3-inch by 3-inch paper material attached to letter-size mailpieces with a 3/4-inch adhesive strip. The note is designed to be removed by the recipient and "repositioned" for future reference or use (e.g., on a telephone, refrigerator, or computer).

The combined weight of the note and the host mailpiece form the weight that is to be used for computing postage. The content of the note must conform to any applicable content-based requirements for rate eligibility, such as requirements in DMM E670 that specify content restrictions on Nonprofit Standard Mail items. In order to enhance the likelihood that mailpieces with repositionable notes will be successfully processed on automated processing equipment, the content of the host piece must comply with certain characteristics as stated below.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM Issue 58 and in the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

* * * * *

C800 Automation-Compatible and Machinable Mail

C810 Letters and Cards

[Renumber current 7.0 and 8.0 as new 8.0 and 9.0, respectively. Add new 7.0 to read as follows:]

* * * * *

7.0 REPOSITIONABLE NOTES

7.1 Use

A repositionable note may be affixed directly to the address side of First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letter-size mailpieces that meet the standards in 7.2 through 7.6. The note is included as an integral part of the mailpiece for weight and postage rate computation purposes. Repositionable notes must conform to any content restrictions applicable to the class of the host piece.

Repositionable Notes Placement

repositionable notes placement diagram.

7.2 Mailpiece Characteristics

Each mailpiece must:

a. Bear a valid delivery point barcode.

b. Meet the automation-compatibility requirements under C810.

c. Be eligible for and claim an automation letter rate.

d. Be uniformly thick.

7.3 Contents

Allowable characteristics of contents of the host piece include:

a. Paper.

b. Credit cards or similar plastic cards. Such cards must be affixed to or tightly enclosed within the other contents. The position of the credit cards should alternate in adjacent mailpieces between left and right ends (or left, center, right), to keep the stack thickness consistent.

c. Maximum insert shift is 7/8 inch.

7.4 Physical Requirements and Size Standards

Each mailpiece must be rectangular in shape and have a surface smoothness of 195 Shefield Units or smoother. The following standards also apply:

a. Enveloped mailpieces. Each mailpiece prepared in an envelope must be constructed from a basis weight of 20 pounds or greater. Window envelopes must have a closed panel made of polystyrene or glassine. Each

enveloped mailpiece is limited to the following minimum and maximum dimensions:

1. For height, no less than 4-1/8 or more than 6 inches high.

2. For length, no less than 8 or more than 9-1/2 inches long.

3. For thickness, no less than .02 or more than .125 inch thick.

b. Card stock mailpieces. Each mailpiece prepared as card stock is limited to the following minimum and maximum dimensions:

1. For height, no less than 4-1/2 or more than 6 inches high.

2. For length, no less than 8-1/2 or more than 9 inches long.

3. For thickness, no less than .009 inch thick (cards 5-3/4 inches or more in height must be .012 inch thick or greater.)

7.5 Notes Characteristics

Repositionable notes must:

a. Be square in shape and measure 3 by 3 inches.

b. Not contain phosphorescent or red fluorescent colorants.

c. Be positioned parallel with the length of the piece, affixed by standard labeling equipment, and placed no closer than 3/8 inch from the left of the delivery address. Manually affixed notes are not permitted.

d. Be at least 1/2 inch (plus or minus 1/8 inch) from the bottom and left edges of the mailpiece.

e. Be adhered with a 3/4 inch (plus 1/4 inch or minus 1/16 inch) adhesive strip across the top portion on the reverse side of the note.

f. Not be placed in a manner that interferes with the delivery address, and must not display a specific address or ZIP Code. References to general landmarks are permissible. The written and graphic characteristics of the notes are considered when determining eligibility of mailpieces mailed at the Standard Mail and Nonprofit Standard Mail rates.

7.6 Compliance

The following should be kept in mind regarding repositionable notes compliance:

a. Repositionable notes must be obtained from an approved repositionable notes vendor. To view a listing of approved vendors, see www.usps.com/repositionablenotes. Prospective vendors can obtain information on how to become an approved vendor by requesting USPS standards and test procedures, which are available from USPS Engineering at the address in G043. Testing must be performed by a certified independent laboratory.

b. Mailers must present evidence at the time of mailing to show that their repositionable notes have been supplied by an approved vendor.

c. Each mailing must include, as part of the mailing, eight pieces addressed to each of the following addresses:

RPN SAMPLE
USPS ENGINEERING LETTER TECH
8403 LEE HWY
MERRIFIELD VA 22082-8101

RPN SAMPLE
PRODUCT MANAGEMENT LETTERS
1735 N LYNN ST RM 4015
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6043

* * * * *

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03

DMM REVISION

Bound Printed Matter - Flat-Size Mail Co-Packaging and Co-Sacking

Effective April 3, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) M910 and M950 are revised to provide new mail preparation standards for the co-packaging and co-sacking of flat- size Bound Printed Matter (BPM) mailpieces. Related revisions are also made to DMM M011, M032, M722, and M820 to support the new co-packaging and Co-sacking standards for flat-size BPM pieces.

Under the revised co-packaging standards in DMM M950, mailers will have the option to co-package (i.e., sort into the same package) flat-size BPM Presorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount and Presorted rate pieces (not qualifying for the barcoded discount). Co- packaged pieces will be required to be co-sacked under DMM M910.

Additionally, under the revised Co-sacking standards in DMM M910, mailers will be required, beginning September 1, 2003, to co-sack (i.e., sort into the same sack) packages of flat-size BPM Presorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount with packages of Presorted rate pieces not claiming the barcoded discount. (Note: In this circumstance, the pieces are not co-packaged under DMM M950.)

The other containerization methods permitted for First- Class MailŪ, Periodicals, and Standard Mail items in DMM M920, M930, and M940 are not available for BPM.

Co-Packaging Standards (Optional)

The new standards for the optional co-packaging of BPM flats include the following:

• All pieces must weigh 20 ounces or less and meet the AFSM 100 criteria for automation-compatible flat- size mail in DMM C820.

• A separate minimum of 300 Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and a separate minimum of 300 Presorted rate pieces (not qualifying for the barcoded discount) are required. The combined total number of pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate must be used to meet the minimum volume requirements for packages and sacks.

• Each piece in the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must bear a correct and readable ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode (DPBC) under DMM C840. Each piece in the Pre- sorted rate mailing must bear a correct and readable 5-digit barcode under DMM C840.

• Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be sorted together with the Presorted rate pieces, but only one physical package for each logical presort destination is permitted to contain both pieces claiming the barcoded discount and pieces not claiming the discount, unless presented using an approved manifest mailing system under DMM P910.

• Co-packaged pieces must also be co-sacked under DMM M910.

Co-Sacking Standards (Required September 1, 2003)

The new standards for the required Co-sacking of BPM flats include the following:

• Packages prepared as part of the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and packages prepared as part of the Pre- sorted rate mailing (not qualifying for the barcoded discount) must be co-sacked, effective September 1, 2003. However, mailers who choose to use the co- packaging standards prior to September 1, 2003, will be required to CO-sack

• Packages of flats qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount that are co-sacked with packages of Presorted rate flats must be part of the same mailing job.

• Both the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate mailing must separately meet the applicable rate eligibility and volume requirements.

• Packages that are co-sacked under DMM M910 are not required to be co-packaged.

Documentation Requirements

Standardized documentation as detailed in DMM P012 is required for mailings prepared under the new standards for co-packaging and CO-sacking The following applies:

• Documentation for a co-packaged mailing must indicate by zone (when applicable) for each package sortation level, the number of Presorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount and the number of Presorted rate pieces (not claiming the barcoded discount) that are contained in each package.

• Documentation for a co-sacked mailing must indicate by zone (when applicable) for each sack sortation level, the number of Presorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount and the number of Pre- sorted rate pieces (not claiming the barcoded discount) that are contained in each sack.

Effective Dates

Effective April 3, 2003, mailers may begin using the co-packaging standards for BPM flats. The standards for co-packaging are optional. However, if a mailer chooses to CO-package under DMM M950, then the co-packaged pieces must be co-sacked under DMM M910. The required use of the CO-sacking preparation standards (for pieces that are not co-packaged) becomes mandatory on September 1, 2003. Regardless of the date presented, all mailings that are co-packaged under DMM M950 must be co-sacked under DMM M910.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

M MAIL PREPARATION AND SORTATION

M000 General Preparation Standards

M010 Mailpieces

M011 Basic Standards

1.0 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

* * * * *

1.3 Preparation Instructions

For purposes of preparing mail:

* * * * *

[Revise item ae to read as follows:]

AE Co-packaging is an alternate preparation method available under M950 for First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail that allows the combining of flat- size automation rate and Presorted rate pieces within the same package under the single minimum package size requirement. Co-packaging is also available for combining within the same package flat-size Bound Printed Matter Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate pieces not qualifying for the barcoded discount. Regardless of the class of mail, pieces may not be combined in more than one physical package for each logical presort destination unless presented using an approved manifest mailing system under P910.

1.4 Mailing

Mailings are defined as:

* * * * *

[Revise the first paragraph of item e by adding references to the advanced preparation options for flat-size Bound Printed Matter in M900 to read as follows:]

e. Package Services. Except for single-piece rate pieces not otherwise subject to a minimum mailing requirement that are presented under an approved manifest mailing system under P910, the types of Package Services listed below may not be part of the same mailing even if in the same processing category. See M910 and M950 for the advanced preparation options available for flat-size Bound Printed Matter. ***

* * * * *

M030 Containers

* * * * *

M032 Barcoded Labels

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS-TRAY AND SACK LABELS

* * * * *

Exhibit 1.3 3-Digit Content Identifier Numbers

[Revise Exhibit 1.3 by adding new categories and content identifier numbers for co-sacked Bound Printed Matter pieces to read as follows:]

PACKAGE SERVICES
* * * * *
BPM Flats - Co-Sacked Barcoded and Presorted
blank blank
5-digit sacks 648 PSVC FLTS 5D BC/NBC
3-digit sacks 661 PSVC FLTS 3D BC/NBC
SCF sacks 667 PSVC FLTS SCF BC/NBC
ADC sacks 668 PSVC FLTS ADC BC/NBC
mixed ADC sacks 669 PSVC FLTS BC/NBC WKG

* * * * *

M700 Package Services

* * * * *

M720 Bound Printed Matter

* * * * *

M722 Presorted Bound Printed Matter

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

[Add new 1.5 to read as follows:]

1.5 CO-Sacking Flats With Barcoded Mail

The following standards apply:

a. If the mailing job contains a carrier route mailing, a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount, and a Presorted rate mailing, the job must be prepared as follows:

(1) Prior to September 1, 2003, the carrier route mailing must be prepared under M723, the Pre- sorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be prepared under M820, and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under M722.

(2) Effective September 1, 2003, the carrier route mailing must be prepared under M723, and the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under the CO-sacking standards in M910. Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount may be co-packaged with Presorted rate pieces under M950. Regardless of the date presented for mailing, co-packaged pieces must be CO sacked under M910.

b. If the mailing job contains only a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and a Presorted rate mailing, the job must be prepared as follows:

(1) Prior to September 1, 2003, the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be prepared under M820, and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under M722.

(2) Effective September 1, 2003, the mailing job must be prepared under the CO-sacking standards in M910. Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount may be co-packaged with Presorted rate pieces under M950. Regardless of the date presented for mailing, co-packaged pieces must be co-sacked under M910.

c. If the mailing job contains only a carrier route mailing and a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount, the job must be sacked separately under the applicable standards in M723 and M820.

d. If the mailing job contains only a carrier route mailing and a Presorted rate mailing, each mailing must be sacked separately under the applicable standards in M722 and M723.

* * * * *

M800 All Automation Mail

* * * * *

M820 Flat-Size Mail

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

* * * * *

1.10 Co-Traying, CO-Sacking, and Co-Packaging With Presorted Rate Mail

The following standards apply:

* * * * *

[Add new item d for Bound Printed Matter to read as follows:]

d. Bound Printed Matter:

(1) If the mailing job contains a carrier route mailing, a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount, and a Presorted rate mailing, the job must be prepared as follows:

(a) Prior to September 1, 2003, the carrier route mailing must be prepared under M723, the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for the barcoded discount must be prepared under M820, and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under M722.

(b) Effective September 1, 2003, the carrier route mailing must be prepared under M723, and the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under the CO-sacking standards in M910. Presorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount may be co-packaged with Presorted rate pieces under M950. Regardless of the date presented for mailing, CO packaged pieces must be co-sacked under M910.

(2) If the mailing job contains only a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and a Presorted rate mailing, the job must be prepared as follows:

(a) Prior to September 1, 2003, the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be prepared under M820 and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under M722.

(b) Effective September 1, 2003, the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate mailing must be prepared under the CO sacking standards in M910. Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount may be co-packaged with Presorted rate pieces under M950. Regardless of the date presented for mailing, CO packaged pieces must be co-sacked under M910.

(3) If the mailing job contains only a carrier route mailing and a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount, each mailing must be prepared separately under the applicable standards in M723 and M820.

* * * * *

6.0 BOUND PRINTED MATTER

* * * * *

6.2 Sack Preparation and Labeling

[Revise 6.2 to read as follows:]

Preparation sequence, sack size, and labeling:

a. 5-digit scheme (optional, containing 5-digit scheme packages only); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L007.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 5D SCH BC."

b. 5-digit (required); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code on mail, preceded for military mail by correct prefix under M031.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 5D BC."

c. 3-digit (required, except for optional packages with 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes indicated by an "N" in L002, when optional SCF sacks are prepared); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L002, Column A.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 3D BC."

d. SCF (optional); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L005.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS SCF BC."

e. ADC (required); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L004.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS ADC BC."

f. Mixed ADC (required); no minimum; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L803 or, if entered by mailer at an ASF or BMC, L802.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS BC WKG."

M900 Advanced Preparation Options for Flats

M910 Co-Traying and CO-Sacking Packages of Automation and Presorted Mailings

[Revise the Summary to include the new option for preparing flat-size Bound Printed Matter, to read as follows:]

Summary

M910 describes the requirements for co-traying packages of flat-size automation rate and Presorted rate First-Class Mail. It also describes the requirements for CO-sacking packages of nonletter-size automation rate and Presorted rate Periodicals, packages of flat-size automation rate and Presorted rate Standard Mail, and packages of flat-size Presorted rate Bound Printed Matter qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate Bound Printed Matter (not qualifying for the barcoded discount).

* * * * *

[Add new 4.0, Bound Printed Matter, to provide preparation requirements for CO-sacking flat-size Bound Printed Matter to read as follows:]

4.0 BOUND PRINTED MATTER

4.1 Basic Standards

Effective September 1, 2003, packages of flat-size pieces in a Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be co-sacked with packages of flat-size pieces from a Presorted rate mailing under the following conditions:

a. The Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate pieces must be part of the same mailing job and be reported on the same postage statement.

b. The Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must meet the criteria for flat- size mail under C820. Pieces in the Presorted rate mailing must meet the criteria for flat-size mail under C050.

c. The Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must meet the eligibility criteria in E712, the mail preparation standards in M820, the sacking requirements in 4.4, and the documentation criteria in 4.1h.

d. The Presorted rate mailing must meet the eligibility criteria in E712, the mail preparation standards in M722, the sacking requirements in 4.4, and the documentation criteria in 4.1h.

e. The rates for pieces in the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount are applied based on meeting the sortation requirements in M820 and, when applicable, the zone. The rates for pieces in the Presorted rate mailing are based on meeting the sortation requirements in M722 and, when applicable, the zone.

f. The pieces must be marked according to M012.

g. The packages prepared from the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for the barcoded discount and the packages prepared from the Presorted rate mailing must be sorted into the same sacks as described in 4.4.

h. A complete, signed postage statement(s), using the correct USPS form or an approved facsimile, must accompany each mailing job prepared under these procedures. In addition to the applicable postage statement, standardized documentation under P012 must be submitted with each co-sacked mailing job

that describes for each sack sortation level the number of pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount and the number of pieces qualifying for each applicable Presorted rate.

i. Barcoded sack labels under M032 must be used to label the sacks.

4.2 Package Preparation

Except for mail prepared under the co-packaging option in 4.3, the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount must be packaged and labeled under M820, and the Presorted rate mailing must be packaged and labeled under M722.

4.3 Optional Co-Packaging Preparation

As an alternative to the basic packaging requirements in 4.2, flat-size Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount may be co-packaged with flat- size Presorted rate pieces, subject to M950.

4.4 Sack Preparation and Labeling

Packages of Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate pieces prepared under 4.2 or 4.3 must be presorted together into sacks (co-sacked) using the following preparation sequence, sack size, and labeling:

a. 5-digit (required); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: city, state, and 5-digit ZIP Code destination of packages, preceded for military mail by the correct prefix under M031.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 5D BC/NBC."

b. 3-digit (required, except for optional packages with 3-digit ZIP Code prefixes indicated by an "N" in L002, when optional SCF sacks are prepared); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L002, Column A.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS 3D BC/NBC."

c. SCF (optional); minimum 20 addressed pieces; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L005.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS SCF BC/NBC."

d. ADC (required); minimum 20 addressed pieces (use L004 to determine ZIP Codes served by each ADC); labeling:

(1) Line 1: L004.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS ADC BC/NBC."

e. Mixed ADC (required); no minimum; labeling:

(1) Line 1: L803 or, if entered by mailer at an ASF or BMC, L802.

(2) Line 2: "PSVC FLTS BC/NBC WKG."

* * * * *

M950 Co-Packaging Automation Rate and Presorted Rate Pieces

Summary

[Revise the Summary to include the new option for preparing flat-size Bound Printed Matter to read as follows:]

M950 describes the requirements for co-packaging flat-size automation rate and Presorted rate First-Class Mail, non- letter-size automation rate and Presorted rate Periodicals, flat-size automation rate and Presorted rate Standard Mail, and flat-size Presorted rate Bound Printed Matter qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate Bound Printed Matter (not qualifying for the barcoded discount).

* * * * *

[Add new 4.0, Bound Printed Matter, to provide CO packaging preparation requirements for flat-size Bound Printed Matter under M950 to read as follows:]

4.0 BOUND PRINTED MATTER

4.1 Basic Standards

Mailers may choose to CO-package flat-size Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate pieces as an option to the basic packaging requirements in M722 and M820, subject to the following conditions:

a. The pieces in the Presorted rate mailing qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the pieces in the Presorted rate mailing must be part of the same mailing job and must be reported on the same postage statement.

b. The pieces in the mailing job must be flat-size and meet any other size and mailpiece design requirements applicable to the rate category for which they are prepared.

c. Co-packaged pieces must be co-sacked under M910.

d. A separate minimum of 300 Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and a separate minimum of 300 Presorted rate pieces are required. The combined total number of pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and the Presorted rate must be used to meet the minimum volume requirements for packages and sacks.

e. Presorted rate pieces must contain a 5-digit barcode and be co-packaged with Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount for the same presort destination. If this optional preparation method is used, all barcoded discount pieces and Presorted rate pieces in the same mailing job and reported on the same postage statement must be co-packaged.

f. All pieces must meet the AFSM 100 requirements in C820.

g. Unless presented using an approved manifest mailing system under P910, Presorted rate pieces qualifying for and claiming the barcoded discount and Presorted rate pieces for each presort destination must be sorted so that only one physical package for each logical presort destination includes both Pre- sorted rate pieces qualifying for the barcoded discount (containing a ZIP+4 or delivery point barcode) and Presorted rate pieces (containing a 5-digit barcode).

4.2 Package Preparation

Preparation sequence, package size, and labeling:

a. 5-digit scheme (optional); minimum 10 addressed pieces or 10 pounds, maximum package weight 20 pounds; optional endorsement line (OEL) required.

b. 5-digit (required); minimum 10 addressed pieces or 10 pounds, maximum package weight 20 pounds; red Label D or OEL.

c. 3-digit (required); minimum 10 addressed pieces or 10 pounds, maximum package weight 20 pounds; green Label 3 or OEL.

d. ADC (required); minimum 10 addressed pieces or 10 pounds, maximum package weight 20 pounds; pink Label A or OEL.

e. Mixed ADC (required); no minimum, maximum package weight 20 pounds; tan Label MXD or OEL.

* * * * *

—Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03

DMM REVISION

Miscellaneous DMM Revisions

Effective April 3, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C050.2.2, C100.2.7c, E010.2.3, M110.1.0, P014.4.1, P014.4.12, P014.4.13, and P040.1.1 are revised for the following reasons:

• DMM C050.2.2 is revised to identify the correct reference of DMM C010.1.3 for determining the length and height of a letter-size mailpiece that is subject to the nonmachinable surcharge, and not DMM C010.1.1 as previously indicated.

• DMM C100.2.7c is revised to specify that single- piece rate cards that have any of the address format characteristics detailed in DMM C100.2.6a(3) or 2.6b(3) must be prepared under the sortation requirements in DMM M130.2.0, and not under DMM E130 as previously indicated.

• DMM E010.2.3 is revised to remove the reference to Publication 4, Importing Animal and Plant Products Through Overseas Military Post Offices. Publication 4 is obsolete and no longer being issued. The revised text will direct the reader to find more information on mailing animal and plant products in DMM C022 and Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.

• DMM M110.1.0 is revised to reinstate the text that requires five or more letter-size pieces bearing metered postage or permit imprints at the single-piece rate to be faced and packaged. Such pieces must be faced with the addresses in one direction. This text was inadvertently removed prior to the publication of DMM Issue 57 and is now reinstated to reduce unnecessary mail handling for Postal Service operations.

• DMM P014.4.1 is revised to clarify that only letter- size First-Class MailŪ and Standard Mail pieces are eligible to participate in the value added refund (VAR) program. This requirement is already noted in DMM P014.4.12 and P014.4.13, which are revised to standardize the presentation of those requirements for the purpose of clarity.

• DMM P040.1.1 is revised to specify that permit imprints cannot be used as the postage payment method on mailpieces designed for reply purposes. Reply mail must be designed using the standards for business reply mail, courtesy reply mail, metered reply mail, or merchandise return service.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

C000 General Information

* * * * *

C050 Mail Processing Categories

* * * * *

2.0 LETTER-SIZE MAIL

* * * * *

2.2 Nonmachinable Criteria

[Revise the first sentence in 2.2 by correcting the DMM reference and making minor edits for clarity, to read as follows:]

A letter-size piece is nonmachinable if it has one or more of the following characteristics (see C010.1.3 to determine the length, height, top, and bottom of a mailpiece): ***

* * * * *

C100 First-Class Mail

* * * * *

2.0 CARDS CLAIMED AT CARD RATES

* * * * *

2.7 Special Rules for Single-Piece Rate Cards

Cards claimed at the single-piece card rate that have the format characteristics in 2.6a(3) or 2.6b(3) and are part of a mailing of 200 or more identical pieces must:

* * * * *

[Revise item c to read as follows:]

c. Be prepared under M130.2.0.

* * * * *

E Eligibility

E000 Special Eligibility Standards

E010 Overseas Military Mail

* * * * *

2.0 GENERAL RESTRICTIONS

* * * * *

2.3 Animals and Plants

[Revise 2.3 by removing the reference to Publication 4 and replacing it with references to C022 and Publication 52, to read as follows:]

Information on mailing animal and plant products is in C022 and Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail.

* * * * *

M Mail Preparation and Sortation

M000 General Preparation Standards

* * * * *

M100 First-Class Mail (Nonautomation)

M110 Single-Piece First-Class Mail

1.0 PREPARATION

[Revise 1.0 by reinstating the text that five or more letter- size pieces bearing metered postage or permit imprints must be faced and packaged and by reorganizing the copy, to read as follows:]

The following standards apply to single-piece rate First- Class Mail:

a. Each piece must have a delivery address but is not required to bear the rate marking "First-Class" or "First-Class Mail."

b. No minimum quantity is required unless postage is paid with a permit imprint (in which case the mailing must contain at least 200 pieces or 50 pounds of pieces).

c. There are no sortation standards for single-piece rate First-Class Mail, but five or more letter-size pieces bearing either metered postage or permit imprints must be faced with the addresses in one direction and packaged. Packaging of letter-size pieces is not required if they fill a tray (see M011.1.3b). Metered mail and permit imprint mail may not be packaged or trayed together.

* * * * *

P Postage and Payment Methods

P000 Basic Information

P010 General Standards

* * * * *

P014 Refunds and Exchanges

* * * * *

4.0 REFUND REQUEST FOR EXCESS POSTAGE (VALUE ADDED REFUND) AT TIME OF MAILING

4.1 Value Added Refund

[Revise the first sentence in 4.1 by inserting the word "letter-size" before "First-Class Mail" and adding references to 4.0, 4.12, and 4.13, to read as follows:]

Subject to the standards in 4.0, a presenter (i.e., the mailer or other party, such as a presort service bureau), who prepares letter-size First-Class Mail or Standard Mail under 4.12 and 4.13 for their customers and presents it to the USPS in their behalf, may request a value added refund (VAR) for postage affixed to mail in excess of the rate applicable to that mail when presented to the USPS.***

* * * * *

4.12 First-Class Mail

[Revise 4.12 by making minor edits for clarity, to read as follows:]

If a VAR request is submitted when a First-Class Mail mailing is presented to the USPS, each piece in the mailing must be:

a. Letter-size and weigh less than the applicable maximum weight for automation rate mail as required in C810.

b. Part of an automation rate mailing prepared by the presenter.

c. Metered by the presenter or the presenter's customer at the Presorted First-Class Mail or automation rates applicable to a piece of that weight, including the full postage for the second and third ounces, if applicable.

4.13 Standard Mail

[Revise 4.13 by making minor edits for clarity and reorganizing the text, to read as follows:]

If a VAR request is submitted when a Standard Mail mailing is presented to the USPS, each piece in the mailing must be:

a. Letter-size and weigh less than the applicable maximum weight for automation rate mail as required in C810.

b. Part of an automation rate mailing prepared by the presenter.

c. Metered by the presenter or the presenter's customer at a nonautomation rate or at any automation minimum per piece rate. Pieces for each entry must be prepared as a separate mailing if the destination entry rates are claimed.

* * * * *

P040 Permit Imprints

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

1.1 Definition

[Revise 1.1 by specifying permit imprints cannot be used to pay postage on mailpieces designed for reply purposes and by making other minor edits for clarity, to read as follows:]

A mailer may be authorized to mail material without affixing postage when payment is made at the time of mailing from a permit imprint advance deposit account established with the USPS for that purpose. This payment method may be used for postage and special service fees for First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Package Services. This method is not available for Periodicals or Express Mail and must not be used to pay postage on any mailpiece that is designed for reply purposes.

* * * * *

— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03

DMM REVISION

Outside-County Periodicals Co-Palletization Experiment

Effective April 20, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) G092 is added to implement a new experiment testing whether additional rate incentives will encourage the CO palletization and drop shipment of individual Periodicals publications. The experiment includes two additional per- piece discounts for co-palletization of Periodicals publications that otherwise would have been prepared in sacks. The additional per-piece discounts apply to addressed pieces in bundles placed on sectional center facility (SCF) and area distribution center (ADC) pallets that are drop shipped to either a destination area distribution center (DADC) or a destination sectional center facility (DSCF). The experiment will last for 2 years.

Co-palletization allows mailers to combine separately presorted bundles of different titles and editions on pallets to achieve the minimum pallet weight required to take advantage of current pallet and drop-shipment discounts for Periodicals publications (e.g., 250 pounds of mail to a destination ADC). However, many publishers of small-circulation publications do not take advantage of this opportunity due to the increased preparation costs associated with CO palletization. The objective of the additional discounts is to move mail from origin-entered sacks to drop-shipped pallets. Mail prepared in sacks accounts for a disproportionate amount of the Postal Service's costs for processing Periodicals publications.

The primary beneficiaries of this incentive should be smaller circulation publications, for which, in some cases, complete mailings are now in sacks. Some smaller portions of larger mailings (sometimes referred to as "residual" or "tail of the mail"), as well as smaller circulation versions, editions, and supplemental mailings of large circulation publications, could also qualify under the experiment.

For mail that otherwise would have been prepared in sacks under the original presort for the mailing (before CO palletization), a new per-piece discount of $0.007 is available for addressed pieces in bundles on ADC and SCF pallets entered at DADCs. For SCF pallets drop shipped to DSCFs, the new per-piece discount is $0.01. The discounts do not apply to mail prepared on any other pallet level or to mail that moves from an ADC pallet to an SCF pallet as a result of co-palletization.

Co-palletized pieces with less than 250 pounds of mail per title or edition within an ADC remaining after preparing SCF pallets during the original presort of the separate title or edition could qualify for the co-palletization discounts because this mail otherwise would have been prepared in sacks. Mailers may build upon originally presorted SCF and ADC pallets, but only the copalletized pieces with less than 250 pounds per title or edition per ADC destination, if independently presorted, would qualify for the co-palletization discounts. Other drop-ship and palletization incentives available on the current rate schedule still apply to all the pieces based on their eligibility (e.g., drop-ship discounts and pallet discounts for pallets containing 250 or more pounds).

Mailers must use a new postage statement, PS Form 3541-X, Postage Statement - Periodicals Co-Palletization Experiment, to enter mail with the new discounts. This form is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click Postal Forms. Publishers who CO-palletize multiple editions of the same publication must submit a consolidated postage statement and register of mailings.

Publications mailed under the Centralized Postage Payment System (CPP) program may be included as part of a copalletized mailing. Publishers may elect to (1) remove the copalletized portion of a mailing job from the CPP consolidated postage statement and pay postage at the consolidation point, or (2) provide, to the preparer of the consolidated postage statement, information about the CO palletized portion of their mailing to be included on the consolidated postage statement submitted to the New York Rates and Classification Service Center (RCSC).

Because copalletized volumes are difficult to predict, during the experiment copalletized mail will not be required to be placed on the finest level pallet possible. For example, if a copalletized ADC pallet contains more than 500 pounds to a particular SCF, an SCF pallet will not be required. Mailers and consolidators will be encouraged to periodically reevaluate mail volumes for SCF/ADC destinations to determine whether additional SCF pallets could be created on a regular basis to maximize presort and worksharing benefits.

Standard operating procedures for accepting and verifying of copalletized mailings under the experiment will be provided to business mail entry employees servicing CO palletization sites by Business Mail Acceptance..

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM Issue 58 and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

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G General Information

G000 The USPS and Mailing Standards

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G090 Experimental Classifications and Rates

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[Add new G092 to read as follows:]

G092 Outside-County Periodicals Co-Palletization Drop-Ship Classification

1.0 ELIGIBILITY

1.1 Description

The standards in G092 apply to mailings that are produced by mailers and consolidators who are approved to participate in the Outside-County Periodicals Co-Palletization Drop-Ship Classification experiment.

1.2 Rate Application

The Outside-County Co-Palletization Drop-Ship Classification discounts apply to pieces meeting the standards in G092.

1.3 Basic Standards

The basic standards for copalletized mailings are as follows:

a. Each mailing must consist of at least two different Periodicals publications or two different editions, segments, or versions of a Periodicals publication.

b. Each mailing must be presented with the correct postage statement(s). Mailings consisting of different Periodicals publications must be accompanied by a separate postage statement for each publication. Mailings consisting of different editions or versions of the same Periodicals publication must be accompanied by one consolidated postage statement and a register of mailings.

c. Each mailing must meet the documentation and postage payment standards outlined in 2.0 and P200.

d. Each mailing must be entered and postage paid at the post office where consolidation takes place, except that postage for publications authorized under the Centralized Postage Payment (CPP) system may be paid to the New York Rates and Classification Service Center (RCSC). Each publication included in a mailing under these standards must be authorized for original entry or additional entry at the post office where the consolidated mailing is entered.

1.4 Discount Eligibility

To be eligible for one of the discounts, mailpieces must be:

a. Part of a Periodicals mailing that meets the standards in M200, M820, or M900.

b. Part of a mailing segment with less than 250 pounds per title or version per ADC destination, if independently presorted. This includes mail for an ADC service area that remains after finer levels of pallets are prepared.

c. Prepared as bundles (packages) on pallets under M041 and M045, or under M900.

d. Prepared on either an ADC or SCF pallet of CO palletized pieces. Mailers may build on ADC or SCF pallets of 250 or more pounds prepared as part of the original presort. However, the pieces originally on these pallets (250 or more pounds per title or edition) do not qualify for the co-palletization discounts.

e. Drop shipped to the appropriate DADC or DSCF.

2.0 DOCUMENTATION

Each mailing must be accompanied by documentation meeting the standards in P012, as well as any other mailing information requested by the Postal Service to support the postage claimed (e.g., advertising percentage and weight per copy). Documentation must be presented by title and version, segment, or edition; or by codes representing each title and version, segment, or edition included in the CO palletized mailing. In addition, documentation for the CO palletized mailing must:

a. Upon request, include presort reports showing how the pieces would have been prepared before co-palletization.

b. Include presort and pallet reports showing how the copalletized pieces are prepared and where they will be entered (DADC or DSCF).

c. Distinguish publications or segments that do not qualify for the co-palletization discounts (e.g., because there are 250 or more pounds to an ADC destination) from those that do qualify for the discounts.

d. Allow easy reconciliation with reports prepared to reflect how mail would have been prepared prior to CO palletization if requested to verify compliance with standards for discount eligibility.

e. Provide the following data in spreadsheet format (using a model spreadsheet provided by the Postal Service):

(1) Number of titles receiving one or both of the CO palletization discounts.

(2) Number of sacks that would have been prepared without co-palletization, as well as the weight and the number of addressed pieces that would have been in these sacks.

(3) Number of pallets that would have been prepared without co-palletization, as well as the weight and the number of addressed pieces that would have been prepared on pallets.

(4) Number of sacks prepared after co-palletization, as well as the weight and the number of addressed pieces in these sacks.

(5) Number of pallets containing mail that qualifies for the ADC co-palletization discount, as well as the weight and the number of addressed pieces receiving the ADC discount on these pallets.

(6) Number of pallets containing mail that qualifies for the SCF co-palletization discount, as well as the weight and the number of addressed pieces receiving the SCF discount on these pallets.

3.0 DISCOUNTS

The following discounts are available:

a. For pieces sorted to an SCF or ADC pallet of 250 or more pounds and drop shipped to the appropriate DADC: $0.007 per piece.

b. For pieces sorted to an SCF pallet of 250 or more pounds and drop shipped to the appropriate DSCF: $0.01 per piece.

c. Copalletized pieces sorted to overflow DSCF or DADC pallets qualify for the corresponding CO palletization discount.

d. Copalletized pieces sorted to ADC pallets weighing between 100 and 250 pounds and drop shipped to the appropriate DADC: $0.007 per piece.

4.0 REQUEST TO PARTICIPATE

A mailer or consolidator may request approval to mail in the experimental Outside-County Periodicals Co-Palletization Drop-Ship Classification test by submitting a written request to the manager, Mailing Standards (see G043 for address). The request must be accompanied by the following:

a. A completed application form (available from the manager, Mailing Standards).

b. A process map and narrative demonstrating how and where presort and co-palletization reports (including "before" and "after" data) are created as they relate to mail movement and consolidation of packages to be copalletized The map and narrative must also describe mail movement from production through the co-palletization process to dispatch to destination entry postal facilities.

c. Samples of all required documentation that must be provided at the time of mailing, including "before" and "after" reports and postage statements. The sample reports must demonstrate:

(1) How the copalletized portion of the mailing is segregated from other mailing segments on the "before" reports.

(2) How mailing jobs, mailing segments, and containers will be identified in both "before" and "after" reports to allow reconciliation of the reports.

(3) How pieces appearing on the "after" reports that qualify for the co-palletization discounts (mailing segments with less than 250 pounds to an ADC) are differentiated from those that do not (mailing segments with 250 or more pounds to an ADC).

d. An explanation of how data for mailings included under the co-palletization experiment will be collected and reported to the Postal Service, including whether the model spreadsheet provided by the Postal Service can be used.

e. A list of the publications to be included initially in the test and evidence that each publication has obtained the appropriate additional entry authorizations at the office where mailings will be verified and postage paid. The list must indicate if the publications are authorized under the Centralized Postage Payment (CPP) system. If the applicant is not a printer and/or is consolidating publications for other printers, a list of these printers must be included with the application.

5.0 DECISION ON REQUEST

The manager, Mailing Standards, approves or denies a written request to participate in the experimental Outside- County Periodicals Co-Palletization Drop-Ship Classification test. If the application is approved, the mailer or consolidator will be notified in writing by the manager, Mailing Standards. Initial approval is for a conditional 90-day period. When the mailer or consolidator has demonstrated the ability to prepare and enter mailings under the standards in G092, final authorization will be granted. If the application is denied, the mailer or consolidator may file at a later date or submit additional information needed to support the request.

6.0 POSTAL SERVICE SUSPENSION

The manager, Mailing Standards, may suspend at any time an approval to participate in the experiment when there is an indication that postal revenue is not fully protected. The manager will notify the participant in writing of the decision. The suspension becomes effective upon the mailer's receipt of the notification.

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— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03

POM REVISION

Special Die-Hub Cancellations

Effective April 3, 2003, Postal Operations Manual (POM) 236.52 and 236.92 are revised to show the correct name of the office responsible for approving requests for special cancellations of national events and requests for the retention of die hubs used for special cancellations.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the POM and into the next update of the online version available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on Manuals.

Postal Operations Manual (POM)

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2 Philately

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23 Types of Cancellation Services

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236 Special Die-Hub Cancellations

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236.5 Requirements

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236.52 National Events

[Revise the address in 236.52 to read as follows:]

Wording on a special cancellation must be standardized and approved by the sponsor's national headquarters when the sponsor is an affiliate or local chapter of a national organization. Requests for national events must be forwarded to:

MAILING STANDARDS
US POSTAL SERVICE
1735 N LYNN ST RM 3025
ARLINGTON VA 22209-6038

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236.9 Disposition

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236.92 Special Requests

[Revise 236.92 to read as follows:]

A request from the sponsor that a special cancellation die hub be retained for an appropriate purpose, such as placement in a museum, library, historical site, or other suitable use, may be approved by Mailing Standards at Headquarters.

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— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-3-03