[D-LINK]

USPSNEWS@WORK

POSTAL HEROES: NALC recognizes five letter carriers

Germantown, TN, Letter Carrier Rodger Parker saw a truck veer off the road into a large lake and begin to sink. Water was rushing into the cab, trapping an elderly couple. The Navy veteran sprung into action and jumped into the lake, along with two other people.

First, he freed the woman and took her to shore. "I climbed in the truck and told her to stay calm," Parker told WREG-TV in Tennessee. "I undid her seat belt and I climbed back out, put her on my shoulder and swam to shore, 30 to 40 yards," said Parker.

Then the 37-year-old Parker went back and rescued the woman's husband, who was trapped in the driver's seat with water up to his neck. The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) recently named Parker as the organization's National Hero of the Year.

The NALC also recognized four other letter carriers for their heroic efforts. Postmaster General Jack Potter praised the five honorees for their "selfless service" and thanked them for making Postal ServiceTM employees everywhere proud of the service that we provide to the nation.

The other honorees are as follows:

• Columbia, SC, Letter Carrier Elizabeth Myers was named Eastern Region Hero for attempting to save the life of an elderly man and his daughter from a burning house.

• Alexandria, LA, Letter Carrier Lawrence Swain was named Central Region Hero for saving the life of a driver in a fiery accident.

• Sherman Oaks, CA, Letter Carrier Richard Reimer was named Western Region Hero for capturing a purse-snatcher who assaulted a woman. He also testified in court, which led to the conviction of the assailant and an accomplice.

• San Jose, CA, Letter Carrier Marilyn Bonacorso received the Special Carrier Alert Rescue Award for saving the life of an elderly man on her route after he failed to pick up his mail for several days.

SERVICE UP, COSTS DOWN: NOM delivers with improved efficiencies

Transportation is leading the way - not only in helping the Postal Service achieve record-breaking service, but also in cutting costs.

Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 is Network Operations Management's (NOM) fourth consecutive year of reducing expenses below same period last year (SPLY). NOM will be approximately $300 million under plan for FY 2003.

All modes of transportation - air, highway, rail, and water - are significantly below both plan and SPLY.

"The foundation of NOM's success is improved transportation efficiencies," said Network Operations Management V.P. Paul Vogel. The largest transportation dollar contributor was air transportation with more than $100 million under plan. Vogel said this was primarily due to better utilization of the FedEx network and a much more efficient Christmas network.

Other cost-saving highlights: rail consolidations accounted for another $40 million under plan. Mail transport equipment and the mail transport equipment service centers - both fall within NOM's responsibilities - were $100 million under plan and SPLY, thanks to improved utilization, consolidation, and restraint.

Network Operations Management's cost reductions have come at the same time that the Postal Service has raised the bar on service - External First-Class measure for First-Class Mail® service hit a record-high 95 percent for the second straight quarter in a row. "Efficiency and good service go hand in hand," said Vogel. "We're delivering for our customers, and we're doing it more efficiently and at a lower cost."

The plan also includes further reductions of 25 million employee workhours. Since 1999, the Postal Service has reduced total workhours by a cumulative 512 million, the equivalent of $13 billion in savings. Strasser also said that the financial plan would enable the Postal Service to fully recover all prior years' losses with projected net incomes this fiscal year and in FY 2004, capturing $6 billion since the start of FY 2003.

DELIVER ME : USPS announces new program to help find missing children

A new joint effort is underway to locate America's missing children. It's called the Deliver Me Network - USPS®, the Postal Inspection Service, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) are combining resources and coordinating efforts to find America's missing children quickly and return them safely .

USPSNEWS@WORK

Here's how it works: once a NCMEC "Team Adam" representative receives a law enforcement request about a missing child, fliers containing critical identifying information are printed and disseminated by USPS in the local area. The fliers are displayed at local Post OfficesTM, and letter carriers deliver them to mailboxes in a targeted ZIP Code.

The national program got its start in Northport, AL, when letter carriers delivered more than 16,000 fliers to help search for an 11-year-old girl, who had been missing since Aug. 19.

OPERATION IDENTITY CRISIS: Postal inspectors launch identity theft prevention campaign

Identity thieves ripped off consumers for $5 billion last year, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Banks and businesses lost even more. To combat this growing crime, the Postal Inspection Service has launched "Operation Identity Crisis" - a consumer education campaign to prevent citizens from being victims of identity theft.

Joining the Inspection Service in this initiative are the FTC, the Secret Service, the Department of Justice and various financial organizations.

Identity theft involves acquiring key pieces of someone's personal identifying information, such as name, address, date of birth and Social Security number. Identity thieves use the information to commit fraud such as applying for loans, credit cards, and Social Security benefits.

TV actor and Law and Order star Jerry Orbach, himself a victim of identity theft, is the campaign's spokesperson. He will appear in a nationally distributed public service announcement about preventing identity theft. The campaign also includes posters in all 38,000 Post OfficeTM lobbies, numerous banks, and other financial institutions throughout the country.

Here are some tips on preventing identity theft:

• Don't leave mail in mailbox overnight or on weekends.

• Deposit mail in Postal Service collection boxes.

• Tear up or shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.

• Review your consumer credit report annually.

Need more information? Go to www.usps.com/postalinspectors.

POTTER TO FORUM: Let's work together to make Postal Service better

Postmaster General (PMG) Jack Potter, addressing the recent National Postal Forum in Kansas City, MO, stressed that USPS and mailers need to work together to move the Postal Service forward in the 21st century.

Potter said USPS's efforts at improving service and cutting costs paid off during Fiscal Year 2003, which just ended. "Overnight First-Class Mail service, as measured by the External First-Class (EXFC) measurement system, has hit a record-breaking 95 percent for the past two quarters," said Potter. He told attendees USPS is $1.2 billion under budget in nonpersonnel costs.

On postal reform, he praised the entire mailing industry for supporting the effort that led to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) reform legislation. The legislative change will save the Postal Service billions that otherwise would've resulted in overpayment into the CSRS.

And the PMG noted the extensive work of the President's Commission on the U.S. Postal Service and its recommendations to the president on postal reform. "We must have legislative change," Potter said.

"Revenue growth is the key to a financially sound Postal Service," said Potter. The PMG said USPS is working hard to give mailers different options for using the Postal Service. He mentioned the recent negotiated service agreement with Capital One and products such as Customized MarketMailTM and Repositionable Notes - which allow mailers to attract customer attention through innovative mailpiece design.

Potter said these developments came about by working together. A successful mailing industry depends on a successful Postal Service. "We all must work together to make it better," said the PMG.

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 ServiceTM 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.

Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

FSM 1000 Redesignated as UFSM 1000

Effective October 2, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) C820.1.0, C820.3.0, C820.4.0, C840.3.2, E260.1.3, M820.1.0, M950.1.1, M950.2.1, M950.3.1, R200.1.2, R200.2.2, R200.3.2, and I022 are revised to reflect the change in the designation of "flat sorting machine (FSM) 1000" to "upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000." This redesignation is based on enhancements made to the FSM 1000.

Mailers who have stocks of polywrap film endorsed "USPS FSM 1000 Approved Polywrap" may continue using that film until October 2, 2004. Any mailer requiring an extension beyond that date must contact the appropriate rates and classification service center for approval to continue using any remaining film with the old endorsement.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of DMM 59 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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C Content and Characteristics

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C800 Automation-Compatible Mail

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C820 Flats

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

[Change "flat sorting machine (FSM) 1000" to "upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000" in the second sentence and change "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000" in 1.0a.]

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[Revise heading to read as follows:]

3.0 CRITERIA FOR UFSM 1000 FLATS

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4.0 POLYWRAP COVERINGS

[Change "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000" in 4.1b and Exhibit 4.1; change "an FSM 1000 mailpiece" to "a UFSM 1000 mailpiece" in 4.2a(2), 4.2b, and 4.3b; and change "USPS FSM 1000 Approved Polywrap" to "USPS UFSM 1000 Approved Polywrap" in 4.4.]

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C840 Barcoding Standards for Letters and Flats

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[Revise heading to read as follows:]

3.0 BARCODE PLACEMENT-FLAT-SIZE MAIL

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[Revise heading to read as follows:]

3.2 Applying One Barcode

[Change "For FSM 1000 mailpieces" to "For UFSM 1000 mailpieces" in the second sentence.]

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[Revise heading to read as follows:]

3.3 Applying Second Barcode

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E Eligibility

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E200 Periodicals

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E260 Ride Along

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1.3 Physical Characteristics

[Change "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000" in the first sentence in 1.3c; change "on an FSM 1000" to "on a UFSM 1000" in 1.3c(1); change "an FSM 1000-compatible host piece" to "a UFSM 1000-compatible host piece" and "on the FSM 1000" to "on the UFSM 1000" in the first sentence in 1.3c(2).]

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M Mail Preparation and Sortation

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M800 All Automation Mail

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M820 Flat-Size Mail

[Change "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000" in 1.5a, 1.5c, 1.5d, 1.7, and 1.12.]

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M900 Advanced Preparation Options for Flats

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M950 Co-Packaging Automation Rate and Presorted Rate Pieces

[Change "FSM 1000 requirements" to "UFSM 1000 requirements" in 1.1f, 2.1g, and 3.1g.]

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R Rates and Fees

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R200 Periodicals

[Change "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000" in footnotes in 1.2, 2.2, and 3.2.]

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I Index Information

I000 Information

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I020 References

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I022 Subject Index

[Change all instances of "FSM 1000" to "UFSM 1000."]

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- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 10-2-03

DMM REVISION

Parcel Return Services Experiment

Effective October 19, 2003, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) G993 is added to set forth the standards adopted by the Postal ServiceTM to implement the Parcel Return Services (PRS) experiment pursuant to the Decision of the Governors of the Postal Service approving the Recommended Decision of the Postal Rate Commission in its Docket No. MC2003-2. The recommended decision is based on the Stipulation and Agreement that represented a negotiated settlement of all issues in that docket.

The Postal Service is conducting this PRS experiment to respond to the rapidly evolving market of Internet and catalog sales. Merchandise sales inevitably lead to returns, and many consumers, as well as Internet and catalog retailers, rely on the Postal Service for return of merchandise. By taking advantage of new ways of handling returned parcels, the new PRS experiment can provide convenience to consumers and competitive prices for retailers. Commercial shippers generally enter their parcels in bulk at Postal Service facilities near their destinations and receive discounts for doing so. With the PRS experiment, they will be able to pick up returns in bulk at those same facilities and receive discounts for the handling and transportation costs the Postal Service otherwise would have incurred for single- piece handling and transportation of those parcels back to the original shipper. Thus, the experiment provides return parcels with the benefits of worksharing and the advantages of Parcel Select® service realized by mailers for outgoing parcels.

PRS consists of three rate categories for returned Package Services parcels retrieved in bulk by a permit holder.

• The Parcel Select return delivery unit (RDU) rate category applies to Parcel Post subclass parcels retrieved from a designated delivery unit. Designated delivery units (DDUs) are those that currently offer extended hours for entry of Parcel Select-DDU parcels. The RDU rates are flat rates that do not vary by weight. There is one rate category for all regular- sized parcels and a separate flat rate for all oversized parcels.

• The Parcel Select return bulk mail center (RBMC) rate category applies to Parcel Post subclass parcels retrieved in bulk from any of the 21 bulk mail centers (BMCs) listed in DMM L601, or other equivalent facility. Permit holders are required to develop reverse manifests of each piece they retrieve.

• The Bound Printed Matter (BPM) return bulk mail center (RBMC) rate category applies to BPM subclass parcels retrieved in bulk from any of the 21 BMCs. Permit holders are required to develop reverse manifests of each piece they retrieve. Flat- shaped single-piece rate BPM pieces eligible for a rate reduction in the form of a flat differential do not qualify for the RBMC rate. There is no separate BPM rate for parcels retrieved from RDUs. BPM parcels can qualify as PSRS parcels retrieved from a DDU.

As part of this experiment, participants will be charged the applicable rate in new DMM G993.3.1 through 3.4.

Parcels must be retrieved on a regular schedule. From BMCs, a minimum of every 48 hours excluding Sundays and Postal Service holidays, and from designated delivery units, a minimum of once every 7 days. Permit holders or their agents would be required to set up a recurring or standing appointment to retrieve PRS parcels. If the permit holder (or agent) already has existing appointments to deliver Parcel Select parcels to a BMC or DDU, the same appointment can be used for retrieving PRS parcels.

Participation in the first year of the experiment will be limited to 20 approved participants (permit holders). An additional 10 participants may be added during the second year. Participants will pay one annual PRS permit fee and one annual PRS advance deposit accounting fee of $150.00 and $475.00, respectively, at the Post OfficeTM where the PRS permit is held. Only one permit and accounting fee is required for each participant (permit holder). Payment of these fees allows permit holders to retrieve both Parcel Select and BPM PRS parcels for their clients, as well as their own parcels, at all approved locations. Permit holders must use the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS) electronic postage payment system to fund postage payments for all returns through all locations. Information on CAPS can be found at http://caps.usps.gov.

The PRS permit may be canceled by the Postal Service for failure to maintain sufficient funds in a trust account to cover postage and fees on returned parcels, for distributing labels that do not conform to Postal Service specifications, or for several other reasons set out in this rule.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of DMM Issue 59 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

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G900 Experimental Classification and Rate Filings

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G990 Experimental Classifications and Rates

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[Add new G993 to read as follows:]

G993 Parcel Return Services

Summary G993 describes the eligibility, standards, physical characteristics, markings, and rates that apply to the experimental Parcel Return Services classification.

1.0 BASIC INFORMATION

1.1 Description

The standards in G993 apply to parcels that are retrieved in bulk by authorized permit holders or their agents who are approved participants in the Parcel Return Services (PRS) experiment. The permit holder guarantees payment of postage and retrieval of all PRS parcels mailed with a PRS label. The permit holder has the option of retrieving returned parcels at a designated delivery unit (DDU) (the Post Office where PRS parcels are mailed by a customer)-or at the bulk mail center (BMC) that serves the Post Office where returned parcels are deposited by a customer. Payment for parcels returned under PRS is deducted from a separate advance deposit (postage due) account that is funded through the Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS).

1.2 Applicability

Parcels may use PRS when all of the following conditions apply:

a. Parcels contain merchandise being returned to the merchant.

b. Parcels bear a PRS label that meets the standards in 4.0.

c. The parcel shows the permit number, and the permit holder has paid the annual PRS permit fee and the annual PRS accounting fee.

1.3 Services

Package Services pieces using Parcel Return Services are not eligible for ancillary or special services.

1.4 Customer Mailing Options

Returned parcels must be mailed within the service area of the Post Office shown in the return address on the label. They may be deposited at:

a. The main Post Office or any associated office, station, or branch.

b. In any collection box (except an Express Mail® box).

c. With any rural carrier.

d. On business routes during regular mail delivery if prior arrangements are made with the carrier.

e. As part of a collection run for other mail (special arrangements may be required).

f. At any place designated by the postmaster for the receipt of mail.

1.5 Participation

Companies who wish to participate in this experiment must send a request, on company letterhead, to the manager, Mailing Standards (see G043 for address). Requests also may be sent via e-mail to sherry.s.freda@usps.gov; or by fax to 703-292-4058. The request must contain the following information:

a. Company name and address.

b. Individual contact name, telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.

c. The rate category or categories to be used; proposed retrieval locations (delivery units and bulk mail centers); and individual contact information for the company contact or agent at each location.

d. A list of clients, if the applicant is not the merchant (required for mailer identification number assignment).

e. Projected volume per quarter for each RDU and/or RBMC.

f. Label and instruction examples that comply with 4.0.

g. Date(s) label distribution will begin for each client.

h. Description of the electronic returns manifesting system to be used to document returns, by location and rate eligibility.

i. Current Parcel Select and BPM parcel profile (volumes and weights).

1.6 Evaluation

The electronic returns manifesting system will be subject to approval by the manager, Business Mailer Support (BMS). BMS can provide applicants information for developing and receiving approval for a parcel returns system, electronic file transfer requirements, and certification process. Once approved, participants must comply with the terms of the PRS Service Agreement and pay the annual fees in 2.2 and 2.3. The manager, Mailing Standards may request additional data and a visit to the applicant's plant. In selecting participants, the manager, Mailing Standards uses the following additional criteria:

a. The applicant must be prepared to begin operation at a mutually agreed upon time soon after selection.

b. The applicant must demonstrate the ability to retrieve parcels on a regular schedule mutually agreed upon from the designated RDU, RBMC, or both.

1.7 Authorization

Participants during the first year of this experiment will be limited to the first 20; depending on the results in year one, 10 additional participants may be approved during the second year. The manager, Mailing Standards will review each request and will proceed as follows:

a. If the applicant meets the conditions required for the PRS experiment and the application is otherwise consistent with the purposes and goals of the experiment, the manager, Mailing Standards will approve the letter of request. For the purposes of the experiment, the Postal Service may require additional documentation and periodic review and inspection of each participant's PRS processing and accounting operations.

b. If the application does not appear to meet the conditions required for the PRS experiment, the manager, Mailing Standards will deny the request and send a written notice to the applicant, with the reasons for denial.

1.8 Procedure

Upon approval and payment of fees, participants must provide a copy of the approval to each contact at each pickup location. The manager, Mailing Standards will provide a copy to each district manager, Business Mail Entry that has a pickup location. Local Post Offices can determine payment of fees through CAPS.

1.9 Pickup Schedule

Parcels must be retrieved on a regular schedule: from BMCs, a minimum of every 48 hours excluding Sundays and Postal Service holidays; and from DDUs, a minimum of once every seven days. Permit holders or their agents will be required to set up a recurring or standing appointment to retrieve PRS parcels. If the permit holder (or agent) already has existing appointments to deliver Parcel Select parcels to a BMC or DDU that meet these standards, the same appointment can be used for retrieving PRS parcels.

2.0 POSTAGE AND FEES

2.1 Postage

There are three PRS rate categories:

a. Parcel Select RDU. Parcels returned as Parcel Post to, and retrieved in bulk from, a designated delivery unit.

b. Parcel Select RBMC. Parcels returned as Parcel Post to, and retrieved in bulk from, a designated BMC.

c. Bound Printed Matter RBMC. Parcels returned as Bound Printed Matter to, and retrieved in bulk from, a designated BMC.

2.2 Permit Fee

A $150.00 permit fee must be paid annually at the Post Office where the PRS permit is held. The permit must remain valid during the course of the experiment.

2.3 Advance Deposit Account and Annual Accounting Fee

The participant must pay postage through an advance deposit account and must pay an annual accounting fee of $475.00. The account must remain valid during the course of the experiment.

3.0 RATES

3.1 Parcel Select Return Services-Return Delivery Unit

Regardless of weight, any parcel that measures more than 108 inches (but not more than 130 inches) in combined length and girth must pay the oversized rate.

3.2 Parcel Select Return Services-Return BMC Machinable

Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel.

3.3 Parcel Select Return Services-Return BMC Nonmachinable

Parcels that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and girth are charged the applicable rate for a 15-pound parcel.

Regardless of weight, any parcel that measures more than 108 inches (but not more than 130 inches) in combined length and girth must pay the oversized rate.

3.4 Bound Printed Matter Return Services-Return BMC

4.0 LABEL FORMAT

4.1 Label Preparation

PRS labels must be certified for use by the Postal Service prior to distribution. In addition, permit holders must obtain Postal Service certification for barcode symbologies. Any photographic, mechanical, or electronic process or any combination of such processes may be used to produce PRS labels. The background of the label may be any light color that allows the address, barcodes, and other required information to be easily distinguished. If labels are electronically transmitted to customers for their local printing, the permit holder must advise customers of these printing requirements as part of the instructions in 4.3.

4.2 Labeling Methods

If all applicable content and format standards are approved (including instructions to the user), a PRS label may be distributed by any of the following methods:

a. As an enclosure with merchandise when initially shipped, as part of the original invoice accompanying the merchandise, or as a separate label preprinted by the permit holder. If the reverse side of the label bears an adhesive, it must be strong enough to bond the label securely to the mailpiece.

b. As an electronic file created by the permit holder for local output and printing by the customer.

4.3 Instructions

Regardless of label distribution method, written instructions always must be provided to the user of the PRS label that, at a minimum, direct the user to do the following:

a. "If your name and address are not already printed in the return address area, please print them neatly in that area or attach a return address label there."

b. "Attach the label provided by the merchant squarely onto the largest side of the mailpiece, unless you need to use another side to make the parcel more stable. Place the label at least 1 inch from the edge of the parcel, so that it does not fold over to another side. If you are using tape to attach the new label, do not put tape over any barcodes on the label, even if the tape is clear, because the reflection interferes with barcode readers."

c. "If you are reusing the original container to return the merchandise, use the label to cover your original delivery address and the barcodes and any other postal information on it. If it is not possible to cover all that information with the label, either remove old labels containing these items, mark them out completely with a permanent marker, or cover them completely with blank labels or paper that cannot be seen through. If that cannot be done, or if the original container is no longer sound, please use a new box to return the merchandise and attach the return label to that new box."

d. "Once repackaged and labeled, you can mail the parcel at a Post Office, deposit it in a collection box, or give it to the carrier at the original delivery address. If the parcel is addressed to RETURN DELIVERY UNIT, mail it at a local Post Office near the original delivery address. If the parcel is addressed to RETURN BULK MAIL CENTER, you can mail it at any Post Office or collection box in the town, city, or metropolitan area of the original delivery address."

4.4 Label Format Elements

There is no minimum size for PRS labels; however, the label must be of a sufficient size to accommodate all label elements and standards in this section. All PRS label elements must be legible. Except where a specific type size is required, elements must be of a type size large enough to be legible from a normal reading distance and to separate them from other elements on the label. Examples of PRS label formats are shown in Exhibits 4.4a, 4.4b, 4.4c, and 4.4d. The following elements are required:

a. Postage Guarantee. The imprint "No Postage Necessary if Mailed in the United States" must appear in the upper right corner.

b. Horizontal Bars. A minimum of three horizontal bars must appear directly below the imprint in the upper right corner. The bars must be uniform in length, at least 1 inch long, 1/16 inch thick, and evenly spaced.

c. Parcel Return Service Legend. The legend must be placed directly above the address and include:

(1) Line 1: In capital letters at least 3/16 inch high, PARCEL SELECT RETURN SERVICE or BOUND PRINTED MATTER RETURN SERVICE, as appropriate. Bound Printed Matter may be abbreviated BPM.

(2) Line 2: In all capital letters, Permit holder's name, left justified, followed by PERMIT NO., followed by the permit number.

d. Customer's return address. The return address of the customer using the label to mail the parcel back to the permit holder must appear in the upper left corner. If it is not preprinted by the permit holder or merchant, space must be provided for the customer to enter the return address.

e. Address. The address must be the physical location of the return facility, as shown in the Drop Ship Product. The address must consist of at least three lines. If needed, the ZIP Code may appear left-justified on the line directly below the city and state line.

(1) Line 1: In all capital letters RETURN DELIVERY UNIT, or RETURN BULK MAIL CENTER, as appropriate. Center may be abbreviated CTR.

(2) Line 2: Street address, including number.

(3) Line 3: City, state, and ZIP Code.

f. Parcel Return Service Barcode. A PRS barcode must be printed directly on the label. The barcode may appear in any location on the label, except the upper left, upper right, and lower right corners. The barcode must meet the standards for barcodes in Publication 91, with the following exceptions:

(1) The barcode must be produced using the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology.

(2) The service type code (STC) contained in the barcode must identify the rate associated with the label destination. For labels addressed to a return delivery unit, the STC must be 58. For labels addressed to a return bulk mail center, the STC must be 57.

(3) Human-readable text above the barcode must read USPS PARCEL RETURN SERVICE. If the barcode is a single concatenated barcode with the postal routing code described in 4.4g, the text above the barcode must read BMC ZIP - USPS PARCEL RETURN SERVICE.

(4) The clear zone between the barcode, human- readable text, and the horizontal bar above and below the barcode must be at least 1/16 inch.

g. Postal Routing Barcode. If a single concatenated barcode is not used for the PRS Barcode, a postal routing barcode also must be printed directly on the label. The barcode may appear in any location on the label, except the upper left, upper right, and lower

right corners. Postal routing barcodes must meet the standards in C850, with the following exceptions:

(1) The barcode symbology must be produced using the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology.

(2) The human-readable text below the barcode must read BMC ZIP - followed by the 5-digit ZIP Code for the BMC facility. The ZIP Code must be the correct ZIP Code for the RBMC as provided by the Postal Service. For RDU- addressed labels, the RBMC that services the location of the RDU must be used as the BMC 5-digit ZIP Code in the postal routing barcode.

h. Mailer Identification (ID). An individual mailer ID must appear in the lower right corner. The mailer ID is assigned by the permit holder to each individual client (merchant) of the permit holder. The mailer ID must consist of a single, uppercase alpha character followed by a two-digit number, with no spaces or dashes (e.g., A01). The mailer ID must be at least 3/16 inch high and surrounded by a border (box), with a clearance of at least 3/16 inch between the mailer ID characters and the border. The mailer ID may be reverse-printed.

i. Additional Information. Additional information (e.g., company logo, return authorization number, inventory barcode) is permitted on the PRS label if it does not interfere with any required format elements. Inventory barcodes must not resemble barcodes described in C850.

Exhibit 4.4a Parcel Select Return Services Label Addressed to a Return Delivery Unit With Separate Parcel Return Services and Postal Routing Barcodes

Exhibit 4.4b Parcel Select Return Services Label Addressed to a Return Delivery Unit With Concatenated Parcel Return Services and Postal Routing Barcodes

Exhibit 4.4c Parcel Select Return Service Label Addressed to a Return Bulk Mail Center

Exhibit 4.4d Bound Printed Matter Return Service Label

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 10-2-03

REVISED PUBLICATION

DMM 100, A Customer's Guide to Mailing

An updated version of the DMM 100, A Customer's Guide to Mailing, is now available. The newest edition of the guide includes design enhancements and additional information about international rates, claims, and online shipping labels. This publication is available through the Material Distribution Center (MDC).

The relevant ordering information for DMM 100 is as follows:

• Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message (wait 48 hours after registering before you place your first order).

• E-mail: Complete PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition (manually or by using FormFlow), and send it as an attachment to the e-mail address MDC Customer Service or to mcustome@usps.gov.

• Mail: Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

Here's the information that you'll need to order DMM 100:

PSIN: DMM100
NSN: 7610-05-000-5072
Unit of Measure: Each
Min. Order Qty: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: 200
Quick Pick Number: 526
Price: $0.1883
Edition Date: 06/03

Please make the guide available in your Post OfficeTM and encourage your customers to take a copy.

The DMM 100 is accessible also on the Internet at www.usps.com; click All Products & Services, then Publications, then Browse All Periodicals & Publications, and then A Customer's Guide to Mailing. In addition, customers who order stamps and other merchandise from the Postal Store Web site at www.usps.com/shop will receive a copy with their order.

To order the Spanish-language version of the DMM 100, available through the MDC, refer to the article on the next page titled "DMM 100-S, Guia para el consumidor de los servicios postales (A Customer's Guide to Mailing)."

A Chinese-language version is coming soon.

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 10-2-03

NEW PUBLICATION

DMM 100-S, Guia para el consumidor de los servicios postales (A Customer's Guide to Mailing)

Pricing and Classification and Diversity Development are pleased to announce the availability of the Spanish- language publication, Guia para el consumidor de los servicios postales (A Customer's Guide to Mailing), Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) 100-S. This informative and easy-to- use publication is available through the Material Distribution Center (MDC). The Spanish version is a valuable source of information for every Spanish-speaking household and office.

You can order DMM100-S by one of the following means:

• Touch Tone Order Entry: Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message (wait 48 hours after registering before you place your first order).

• E-mail: Complete PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition (manually or by using FormFlow), and send it as an attachment to the e-mail address MDC Customer Service or to mcustome@usps.gov.

• Mail: Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

The relevant ordering information for DMM 100-S is as follows:

PSIN: DMM100S
NSN: 7610-07-000-7132
Unit of Measure: Each
Min. Order Qty: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: 200
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $0.4314
Edition Date: 08/03

Look for a Chinese-language version, coming soon.

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 10-2-03

Employees

NEW POSTER

Poster 159 Shows Postal Service's Zero-Tolerance Policy for Sexual Harassment

Poster 159, Sexual Harassment: Know Your Rights! Take Responsibility! is the third poster in a series that stresses the importance of the United States Postal Service's® policy on sexual harassment. The only way we can successfully identify and eliminate sexual harassment is to make sure everyone knows what it is and what to do about it when it happens.

[D-LINK]

Poster 159 replaces the following:

• Poster 21, USPS Policy on Sexual Harassment (small stop sign).

• Poster 21-A, USPS Policy on Sexual Harassment (large stop sign).

Poster 159 is available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then click on Posters.

You can order additional copies of Poster 159 from the Material Distribution Center (MDC) as follows:

• Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, option 1, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message. (Wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order).

• E-mail: Complete PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition (manually or using FormFlow), and send it as an attachment to the e-mail address MDC, Customer Service or to mcustome@usps.gov.

• Mail: Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the MDC at the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

Use the following information to order Poster 159:

PSIN: 7690-07-000-7099
NSN: POS159
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: 1,000
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $0.1340
Edition Date: 07/03

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 10-2-03

SAFETY TALK

Protect Your Back - It's Your Foundation

It's the fall mailing season and that means more mail to handle, more mail to lift, and more mail to carry! Fall is a good time to think about your back. Your back is the foundation for your entire body. And like the foundation of your house, you want to keep your back strong so it too will last for decades to come.

Prevention

To prevent lower-back pain, you should practice good posture when standing and sitting. Have you checked your posture lately? To check your posture: first, stand with your heels against a wall. Your calves, buttocks, shoulders, and the back of your head should touch the wall, and you should be able to slip your hand behind the small of your back. Next, step forward and stand as you normally do. If your posture changes, correct it right away. If you stand for long periods at work, wear flat shoes with good arch support and periodically rest each foot by placing the foot on a box or step about 6 inches off the ground.

Your sitting posture may be even more important. A good chair bottom supports your hips comfortably but does not touch the backs of your knees. Your chair back should be set at an angle of about 10 degrees and should cradle the small of your back comfortably. If necessary, use a wedge-shaped cushion or lumbar pad. Your feet should rest flat on the floor. Your forearms should rest on your desk or work surface with your elbows almost at a right angle.

When you must lift objects, lift correctly. Let your legs do the lifting, not your back. Don't take your back for granted. It's your foundation, after all.

Remember: Only you can make safety happen!

- Safety Performance Management,
Employee Resource Management, 10-2-03

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS:
You Deserve a Break on Taxes

Thrift Savings Plan Open Season and PostalEASE

The next Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) open season is October 15 through December 31, 2003. This TSP open season ends December 31, 2003, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time (CT). The following information is provided to assist personnel offices in conducting this open season.

The booklet TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees, provides a good overview of TSP. Newly eligible career employees receive a copy of TSPBK08 from Headquarters through a direct mailing. Offices can order additional copies of TSPBK08 from the Material Distribution Center (MDC) as follows:

• Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, option 2.

Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message (wait 48 hours after registering before placing your first order).

• E-mail: Complete PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition (manually or using FormFlow), and send it as an attachment to the e-mail address MDC, Customer Service or to mcustome@usps.gov.

• Mail: Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the MDC to the following address:

SUPPLY REQUISITIONS
MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER
500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR
TOPEKA KS 66624-9702

The relevant ordering information for TSPBK08 is as follows:

PSN: 7530-03-000-9364
Unit of Measure: EA
Bulk Pack Qty: 150
Price: No cost
Edition Date: 05/01

TSP Open Season Dates

The dates of TSP open seasons are October 15 through December 31 and April 15 through June 30 (see TSP bulletin 02-12, dated May 2, 2002). The corresponding election periods are December and June. The "election period" is the earliest period during which a contribution election to start or to change the amount of contributions made during a TSP open season can become effective (see TSP bulletin 01-4, dated February 2, 2001).

Employees may change their fund investment choices (contribution allocations) both during and outside of the TSP open season. To make a fund investment choice, an employee must contact TSP directly, not PostalEASE. If employees do not contact TSP, their existing fund investment choice continues. The earnings statement (paycheck stub) shows the TSP contribution percentage or dollar amount, but the statement does not show the TSP fund investment detail.

Because the TSP has moved the open season election period to December, the increases in the TSP employee contribution limits become effective each December (see TSP bulletin 01-3, dated January 23, 2001). For example, during the October 15 through December 31, 2003, open season, employees covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) will become eligible to contribute up to 14 percent of basic pay in 2004 (the maximum was 13 percent for 2003). Eligible FERS employees still receive the Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contribution and the Agency Matching Contribution of up to 4 percent from the Postal Service - these amounts have not changed. Employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and CSRS Offset employees will become eligible to contribute up to 9 percent of basic pay in 2004 (the maximum was 8 percent for 2003).

The limits for FERS, CSRS, and CSRS Offset employees will continue to increase by 1 percentage point per year through 2005. Then, in 2006, all participants will be eligible to contribute up to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annual deferral limit without any percentage limit. The IRS annual deferral limit for 2004 is $13,000. This amount is scheduled to increase by $1,000 each year through 2006 to $15,000. (See table below.)

A newly hired career employee may elect to participate in TSP until the 61st day after the date of hire and in every subsequent open season. The waiting period of one to two open seasons continues to apply to the Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contribution and the Agency Matching Contribution for FERS employees.

Using PostalEASE for Enrollment

Employees who wish to make contribution elections must make them during the TSP open season. Employees must use the PostalEASE telephone system or the PostalEASE employee Web site to enroll, to make contribution elections, and to make cancellations. PostalEase's toll-free number is 877-4PS-EASE (877-477-3273). For web access through the Postal Service intranet, employees must go to http://blue.usps.gov, click on Employee Self Service, and then click on PostalEASE. The employee must have his or her USPS personal identification number (PIN) to use PostalEASE (for information on PINs, see "USPS PIN" and "TSP PIN" below).

Note: Personnel and employing offices must not distribute Form TSP-1, Thrift Savings Plan Election Form, to employees for making TSP open season elections. TSP-1 is no longer stocked at the MDC.

Contacting TSP to Make a Fund Investment Election

Employees have three methods to make a fund investment election as follows:

• Web site: Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov.

• Telephone: Call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777.

• Mail: Mail Form TSP-50, Investment Allocation, to the TSP service office in New Orleans.

Note: Personnel offices must not accept and cannot process completed Forms TSP-50. Form TSP-50 is not available from the TSP Web site. Form TSP-50 is available from the MDC. Personnel offices should maintain a supply of Form TSP-50. The relevant ordering information for Form TSP-50 is as follows:

PSN: 7530-05-000-4305
Unit of Measure: EA
Bulk Pack Qty: 3,800
Price: No cost
Edition Date: 08/02

The TSP Web site and ThriftLine are convenient methods for making fund investment elections. Employees' elections will take effect more quickly by using the TSP Web site and ThriftLine than by using Form TSP-50. To use the TSP Web site or TSP ThriftLine, participants must use their TSP PIN.

Using PINs to Make TSP Elections

To make TSP elections, use two PINs: USPS PIN and TSP PIN.

USPS PIN

The Postal Service maintains the USPS PIN. Employees must use their USPS PIN to (1) begin a contribution percentage or a dollar amount election, or (2) change their current TSP contribution percentage or dollar amount, or (3) cancel TSP participation via PostalEASE. If employees do not know their USPS PIN, they must contact PostalEASE and do the following steps when prompted: (1) press 1 for PostalEASE; (2) enter your Social Security number; (3) when prompted to enter their PIN, pause and then press 2. Employees' USPS PIN will be mailed to their address of record, usually by the next business day.

Note: When an employee requests his or her USPS PIN, the USPS PIN does not change (unlike the TSP PIN). The employee's old USPS PIN remains valid. (The USPS PIN is the same PIN employees use for telephone bidding and computerized bidding.)

TSP PIN

The TSP PIN is maintained by TSP. Employees must use their TSP PIN to make fund investment choices via the TSP Web site or the TSP ThriftLine. If employees are TSP participants and they do not know their TSP PIN, they have three methods for having a new TSP PIN mailed to their address of record:

1. Go to the TSP Web site at www.tsp.gov and select Account Access, or

2. Call the TSP ThriftLine at 504-255-8777, choose 2, enter the Social Security number, and then follow the instructions, or

3. Call the TSP service office at 504-255-6000.

Once TSP has received an employee's TSP PIN request, his or her former TSP PIN is no longer valid.

Direct Mailings to Employees

Headquarters will mail to career employees leaflet TSP1003, TSP Open Season, and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing address of record during October.

In addition to receiving TSP1003, newly eligible career employees receive from Headquarters a direct mailing of TSPBK08, Summary of the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal Employees, as well as a cover letter and PostalEASE instructions at their mailing address of record soon after their accession PS Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, is processed.

The return address for undeliverable TSP enrollment information 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. When employees receive a forwarded enrollment package at their employing office of record, they should submit a correct PS Form 1216, Employee's Current Mailing Address, available at the MDC. (Employees with access to web job bidding on the intranet should make address changes via the web. Other employees should return a completed PS Form 1216 to their local personnel office.) Personnel offices should maintain a supply of PS Form 1216. Ordering information for PS Form 1216 is as follows:

PSN 7530-02-000-7354
Quick Pick Number: 118
Unit of Measure: SE
Bulk Pack Qty: 4,000
Price: $0.0171
Edition Date: 06/93

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 July 1, 2003, receive Agency Automatic (1 percent) Contributions and Agency Matching Contributions (as appropriate) beginning in December 2003.

All employees who participated in TSP and cancelled their TSP contributions after June 30, 2003, are not eligible to participate in this TSP open season. They must wait for the TSP open season beginning April 15, 2004.

Effective Dates

PostalEASE automates the processing of TSP elections. The windows of opportunity for employees to make TSP open season 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, using PostalEASE should minimize the use of PS Form 6886, Thrift Savings Plan - Request for Retroactive Contributions. PS Form 6886 is used to correct administrative errors 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 offices and the employee must complete PS Form 6886 and submit it to the Eagan Accounting Service Center (ASC). The effective dates for employees' elections delayed due to an administrative error must be made retroactive to December 13 or December 27, 2003, depending on the date the employee would have otherwise entered his or her open season election via PostalEASE.

Note: PS Form 6886 must be reproduced locally as needed. See page 6 for a copy of PS Form 6886.

Personnel offices also have the authority to determine whether a belated open season election opportunity exists. In such instances, 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: The processing dates and the closing dates of this TSP open season fall within a two pay-period timeframe, as indicated earlier.

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 TSP1003, 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, Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units.

Non-Open Season Materials

Most of the current TSP publications and forms have been revised for the new TSP record-keeping system, which was implemented in June 2003.

The MDC completed its automatic distribution of all non- open season items to Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, 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 forms and/or publications with the MDC on an as-needed basis. It is not necessary to maintain a large stock of TSPBK08 because Headquarters mails this booklet to each newly hired career employee and newly eligible employee. In all cases where the MDC will stock a new or revised TSP item, the MDC will make an initial distribution to Human Resources at installations as noted earlier. Offices may check the TSP Web site for new or revised items. Note: Form TSP-50 is not available from the TSP Web site.

Participant Statements

Each employee with a TSP account will receive a participant statement from the TSP service office in October 2003.

Publicity

Human Resources at district offices, area offices, PDC/Fs, BMCs, AMC/Fs, remote encoding centers, Office of Inspector General, Postal Inspection Service divisions, Headquarters, and selected Headquarters field units will 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 this TSP open season, all offices must post (1) the open season notice provided on page 7 of this Postal Bulletin through December 31, 2003, and (2) the current TSP fact sheet on bulletin boards.

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 10-2-03

Hurricane Helpers - Postal Employees' Relief Fund Offers Employees a Chance to Help

Hurricane Isabel packed quite a wallop and caused considerable damage to many areas on the East Coast last week. And while many USPS employees went above and beyond the call of duty to get the mail through, many were affected by the storm's high winds and heavy rains.

Here's one way you can help - contribute to PERF, the Postal Employees' Relief Fund. PERF was started in 1990 to help employees who were victims of major natural disasters certified by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) when their losses weren't reimbursed by insurance or grants.

If you'd like to make a contribution to PERF, there are several options available. You can mail a check or money order payable to:

POSTAL EMPLOYEES RELIEF FUND
PO BOX 34422
WASHINGTON DC 20043-4422

You can also contribute online via major credit card at www.postalrelief.org. Employees can also select CFC #9891 Postal Employees' Relief Fund as their choice during this year's Combined Federal Campaign.

If you're an employee in a FEMA-certified disaster area and you're looking for relief, visit www.postalrelief.org/criteria.html to get information on eligibility criteria. Visit www.postalrelief.org/appl.html for the application form to get the process started.

- Public Affairs and Communications, 10-2-03

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 ServiceTM 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.

Reducing or Canceling Your Subscription

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@usps.gov or call 202-268-5776 (if you reach a recording, be sure to leave a message with your name, telephone number, and ZIP Code). Please be assured that we will not reduce or cancel your subscription unless you ask us to do so.

As we review our subscription list, we will begin calling facilities that seem to have duplicate subscriptions. If we call your facility, please help us determine if we can reduce your subscription.

Forwarding to Other Facilities

Are you using your own labels to forward Postal Bulletins to other facilities that don't have their own subscriptions? When those other facilities close down, the undeliverable Postal Bulletins are returned to us here at Headquarters. When we receive those returned Postal Bulletins, we have no way of correcting the problem, because those facilities aren't on our subscription list and because we don't know which is the forwarding facility.

If you are forwarding Postal Bulletins to other facilities, please contact us at the above e-mail address or phone number so we can create a separate subscription for them.

Accessing the Postal Bulletin Online

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.

More Information

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 started publishing this article in early April, asking you to let us know if we can reduce or eliminate your subscriptions. Since April of this year, many of you have responded, and together we have reduced the total number of printed copies by more than 10,000!

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, 10-2-03

RETRACTION OF DMM, POM, AND PUBLICATION 122 REVISIONS

Indemnity Claims for Domestic Mail

The effective date of October 1, 2003, shown in the article "DMM, POM, and Publication 122 Revision: Indemnity Claims for Domestic Mail" in Postal Bulletin 22109 (8-21-03, pp. 112-120) is delayed until further notice. The reason for the delay is concern surrounding numerous organizational changes occurring on October 1, 2003.

As a result, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) S020, S913, and S921; Postal Operations Manual (POM) 147; and Publication 122, Customer Guide to Filing Domestic Insurance Claims or Registered Mail Inquiries, are not amended at this time. Please instruct all personnel who accept domestic claims from customers that current claim filing periods and the current PS Form 1000, Domestic Claim or Registered Mail Inquiry (April 1997), remain in effect.

Existing local adjudication policies and procedures remain in effect.

- Revenue and Field Accounting
Finance, 10-2-03

Finance

HANDBOOK F-1 REVISION

Financial Reporting for Contract Postal Units

Effective October 1, 2003, contract postal units (CPUs) must submit their daily unit PS Form 1412, Daily Financial Report, to their host Post OfficeTM with all required supporting documentation.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed edition of Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, and into the next update of the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References; then HBKs.

Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures

* * * * *

2 Financial Reporting Procedures

21 Policies and Background Information

* * * * *

212 Responsibilities

212.1 Post Office

* * * * *

[Revise the heading and text of the Contract Stations section to read as follows:]

Contract Postal Units

Host Post Office Responsibilities

• Coordinating with the contract postal unit (CPU) to ensure receipt of a daily PS Form 1412 with supporting documentation.

• Entering the CPU's financial data into the Money Order Voucher Entry System (MOVES) financial reporting system from PS Form 1412-A, Daily Financial Form. If the host Post Office does not have access to MOVES, use the Mobile Data Collection Device (MDCD) scanner to enter the CPU's financial data from PS Form 1412-B, Daily Financial Report.

Equipment

The MOVES system is a Web-based application that accepts financial data input from a PS Form 1412-A, including domestic and international money order data from units that operate without Integrated Retail Terminals (IRTs). Host Post Offices with CPUs have the ability to set up and configure a MOVES application for each CPU office with the finance number, unit ID, and stamp accountability.

The MDCD scanners are enhanced with a program application for data input called the Small Post Office Reporting Tool (SPORT). SPORT accepts financial data input from a PS Form 1412-B including domestic and international money order data from units operating without IRTs. Host Post Offices with CPUs have the ability to set up and configure a SPORT application for each CPU office with the finance number, unit ID, and stamp accountability. The host Post Office must follow the instructions outlined in the SAFR-SPORT User Guide to enter daily financial data separately for each CPU.

If the host Post Office is assigned more than one CPU, the host Post Office should configure and label one MDCD scanner for each CPU to avoid confusion and reporting CPU data in the wrong MDCD scanner. Offices are encouraged to use their existing inventory of MDCD scanners to accomplish this task (including carrier scanners) without expending funds for additional MDCD scanners.

Notes: CPUs with IRTs will provide a system-generated PS Form 1412 to the host Post Office daily. For CPUs with IRTs that are authorized by Headquarters to transmit daily, the host Post Office will not need to input the CPU PS Form 1412, but will continue to monitor daily PS Form 1412 activities.

Procedures

1> Daily Input of the CPU's PS Form 1412 Data. The host Post Office is responsible for the following:

a. Verify CPU PS Form 1412 opening balance and totals.

b. Verify supporting documents with PS Form 1412 totals entered.

c. Discrepancies will be resolved as follows:

d. Enter corrected PS Form 1412 data into MOVES or SPORT.

Note: Supporting documentation must agree with the totals entered in individual AICs, except for AIC 090.

2> Notice From the Accounting Service Center (ASC) of Financial Differences. When the ASC notifies the host Post Office of financial differences expensed to it (discrepancies in money orders, cash deposits, banking, unit's PS Form 1412, or stamp stock inventory) relating to a CPU, the host Post Office makes the following corrections:

3> The host Post Office postmaster or designated employee is responsible for the following:

a. Issue a PS Form 1908, Financial Adjustment Memorandum, with the appropriate explanation annotated regarding the cause for the adjustment of the CPU's PS Form 1412.

b. Examine the CPU's accountability for compliance with section 429.3.

c. Ensure that the CPU's accountability does not exceed its bonded amount.

* * * * *

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 10-2-03

RETRACTION OF DMM, POM, AND PUBLICATION 122 REVISIONS

Indemnity Claims for Domestic Mail

The effective date of October 1, 2003, shown in the article "DMM, POM, and Publication 122 Revision: Indemnity Claims for Domestic Mail" in Postal Bulletin 22109 (8-21-03, pp. 112-120) is delayed until further notice. The reason for the delay is concern surrounding numerous organizational changes occurring on October 1, 2003.

As a result, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) S020, S913, and S921; Postal Operations Manual (POM) 147; and Publication 122, Customer Guide to Filing Domestic Insurance Claims or Registered Mail Inquiries, are not amended at this time. Please instruct all personnel who accept domestic claims from customers that current claim filing periods and the current PS Form 1000, Domestic Claim or Registered Mail Inquiry (April 1997), remain in effect.

Existing local adjudication policies and procedures remain in effect.

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 10-2-03