USPSNEWS@WORK

TRIPLE CROWN: 31 PCs score OYJ award in quarter 1

It's the triple crown of customer satisfaction - accuracy of delivery, consistency of delivery and professionalism in serving customers. But unlike the Triple Crown in horse racing or baseball, the Order of the Yellow Jersey (OYJ) award can go to more than one winner. In fact, 31 performance clusters (PCs) scored OYJ honors in quarter 1, including first-time winners Los Angeles and Honolulu. Here's the breakdown:

RURAL: Albany, Appalachian, Big Sky, Central Pennsylvania, Dakotas, Erie, Greater Michigan, Hawkeye, Kentuckiana, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire/Vermont, South Georgia.

MIXED: Central Plains, Columbus, Lakeland, Mid- America, Northland, Oklahoma, Spokane.

URBAN: Central Florida, Honolulu, Long Island, Massachusetts, Pittsburgh, Southeast New England, Western New York.

UNIQUE: Bay-Valley, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco.

Lance Armstrong attributes his repeated success to high standards, hard work, coaching and teamwork. OYJ winners embody those qualities. Just as the Tour de France isn't a sprint but a marathon, so too is the USPS® commitment to wearing the Yellow Jersey every day.

Winners fly the special OYJ flag in front of their facilities as long as they maintain service levels. And each employee in the winning PC receives a lapel pin with the unique Yellow Jersey logo.

NEW EEO OFFICE: Centralized location will serve employees better

One office, better service. That's the reason for the new centralized Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) claims investigations office located in Tampa, FL. The new office reports to Labor Relations Vice President Tony Vegliante.

The office will consolidate USPS EEO investigations under one manager. A staff of professional EEO analysts will monitor investigations conducted by private independent contract investigators.

The independent contractors will bring neutrality to USPS EEO investigations - a long-held goal of the Postal ServiceTM. Previously, USPS employees conducted EEO investigations of claims made by USPS employees for

USPS. "This new process will be fairer and more impartial for employees, investigators and USPS," said Vegliante.

These neutral investigators - trained in accordance with EEO Commission policy and regulations - will perform unbiased investigations, gather all relevant facts and provide an investigative summary of their findings. Area EEO offices will still be responsible for providing the results of the investigation to the complainant.

Employees contacted by EEO investigators should respond promptly and give their full cooperation and support.

Look for a nationwide mailing on the new process coming soon to USPS employee mailboxes.

SEND IN THE KIOSKS: Self-service personnel kiosks are popular with employees

Postal Service employees have used the new self- service personnel kiosks more than 200,000 times since terminals were deployed to 197 locations last September. Now more kiosks are on their way - an additional 200 will be deployed in the next six months.

The use of the kiosks is growing as employees discover they're easy to use, convenient and secure - and employees get a printed confirmation of their transactions.

The kiosks allow employees to perform all PostalEASE transactions, bid on jobs, change addresses and phone numbers, update emergency contact information, obtain training history reports and submit e-Ideas. Because of the software used, USPS Information Technology can fully support the kiosks remotely.

ONECODE VISION: Intelligent Mail initiative will reduce bevy of barcodes

Approaching barcode overload? USPS Intelligent Mail and Address Quality are working on a solution called OneCode VisionTM. The goal of OneCode Vision is to reduce, consolidate and eliminate the amount of barcodes USPS uses to process and deliver the mail. Currently, more than 30 different barcodes are used in postal operations.

For example, an individual letter might have a POSTNET® sorting barcode, a PLANET® tracking barcode, a Certified Mail label and barcode, and an alphanumeric text Address Correction Service participant code.

USPSNEWS@WORK

Before OneCode Vision can be implemented, USPS will need devices that can read "smart" barcodes. That's why USPS is soliciting suppliers' proposals for Intelligent MailTM devices. They will replace more than 342,000 scanners or mobile data collection devices.

Intelligent Mail - working with Engineering, Supply Management, Information Technology and a cross- functional team of scanner users - will decide later this year which handheld scanning device will fulfill the OneCode initiative.

IN SAFE HANDS: Handheld computers make safety inspectors' jobs easier

USPS safety guru Sam Pulcrano landed on the cover of Government Computer Weekly. He's there thanks to USPS handheld personal computers called iPaqs that have cut paperwork and boosted productivity for Postal Service safety inspectors, according to the magazine.

iPaq PCs consolidate three databases into a single application, allowing rapid input, retrieval and analysis of information via the Web by area, district and facility safety personnel.

The Postal Service's 600 safety inspectors can electronically complete information in seven different categories and 18 subcategories and make notes on deficiencies. Inspectors upload the data to the main report Web site for convenient tracking, making training recommendations and fixing potential safety hazards. The new system is the result of a partnership between Safety and Information Technology.

DELIVERY CONFIRMED: America loves tracking, confirming and e-mail notification

Is it there yet? Like family members on a road trip, holiday mailers queried their computers more than 31 million times during December on the status of important letters and packages that we delivered for them.

These inquiries came through Track & Confirm on usps.com, and through the Web sites of merchants, catalogers and others who feature USPS shipping solutions. Average response time? Under 2 seconds, courtesy of the USPS Product Tracking System.

Customers requested and received tracking information on Express Mail® packages and delivery information on mailpieces sent with special services, including Delivery ConfirmationTM, Signature ConfirmationTM, Certified Mail and Registered Mail.

Folks who like to sit back and enjoy the ride used e-mail notification during the holidays in increasing numbers, requesting USPS e-mail delivery status directly to their computers.

Before the holidays, the e-mail notification option was generating about 45,000 requests a week. During its holiday peak - the week of Dec. 14 - that number grew to 115,000. Since the launch in May 2003, USPS has received 1.45 million requests for e-mail notification.

A team effort from Information Technology and Product Development smoothes the Track & Confirm experience for our customers. In addition to helping USPS increase revenue, the Product Tracking System provides key service and scan performance information to USPS.

EXFC Holds at Record 95%

EXFC externally measures collection box to mailbox delivery performance. EXFC continuously tests a panel of 463 ZIP CodeTM areas selected on the basis of geographic and volume density from which 90% of First-Class Mail® volume originates and 80% destinates. EXFC is not a system-wide measurement of all First-Class Mail performance.

Overnight Service Results: October 1, 2003 - December 31, 2003 (PQ I, FY 2004)

*No Overnight standard. Score shown is for two-day performance.

- Communication Integration,
Public Affairs and Communications, 2-5-04

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 CodeTM). 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.

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 17,000!

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, 2-5-04

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, PSN (Postal ServiceTM stock number), 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 on
More References.

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

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

F3 = F3 Fill Software.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Publication 223 and also into the online version of Publication 223, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site. Go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Publications.

New Directives

Memorandums of Policy

Publications

Revised Directives

Posters

Obsolete Directives

Headquarters Circulars

Publications

- Policies and Procedures Information,
Public Affairs and Communications, 2-5-04

ASM REVISION

Cost Offset Procedures for Semipostal Stamps - Clarification

Effective February 5, 2004, Administrative Support Manual 13 (ASM 13), part 645, is revised to clarify procedures for determining offsets for the U.S. Postal Service's® reasonable costs from semipostal stamp differential revenue. This revision clarifies the following:

• The Postal ServiceTM can select stamps other than commemorative stamps, such as definitive or special stamps, for conducting cost comparisons.

• The Postal Service can select different comparable stamps for specific cost comparisons.

• Costs less than $3,000 will be offset from differential revenue, but only if they are charged to a finance number that is specific to a semipostal stamp.

• Costs that do not need to be tracked include those costs that are too burdensome to track or are too burdensome to estimate.

• Printing, sales, distribution, and several other types of costs could be recovered when they materially exceed the costs of comparable stamps.

The following ASM revisions clarify the provisions of part 645, which apply to all semipostal stamps issued by the Postal Service. This section does not confer any substantive rights upon any other person or entity.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of ASM 14 and into the online version of the manual (ASM 13), which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site on the intranet; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Manuals.

Administrative Support Manual

* * * * *

6 Support Services

* * * * *

64 Stamp Services

* * * * *

645 Semipostal Stamps

* * * * *

645.5 Policy to Offset Costs for Semipostal Stamps

* * * * *

645.52 Policy

[Revise 645.52 to read as follows:]

Postal Service policy is to recover from the differential revenue for each semipostal stamp those costs that are determined to be attributable to the semipostal stamp and that would not normally be incurred for stamps having similar sales; physical characteristics; and marketing, promotional, and public relations activities (hereinafter "comparable stamps").

645.53 Procedure

[Revise 645.53 to read as follows:]

a. For each semipostal stamp, the Office of Stamp Services, in coordination with the Office of Accounting, Finance, Controller, shall, based on judgment and available information, identify the comparable stamp(s) and create a profile of the typical cost characteristics of the comparable stamp(s) (e.g., manufacturing process, gum type), thereby establishing a baseline for cost comparison purposes. The determination of comparable stamps may change during or after the sales period, and different comparable stamp(s) may be used for specific cost comparisons.

b. Except as specified, all costs associated with semipostal stamps will be tracked by the Office of Accounting, Finance, Controller. Costs that will not be tracked include:

(1) Costs that the Postal Service determines to be inconsequentially small, which include those cost items that are less than $3,000 per invoice and are not specifically charged to a semipostal finance number.

(2) Costs for which the cost of tracking or estimation would be burdensome (e.g., costs for which the cost of tracking exceeds the cost to be tracked).

(3) Costs attributable to mail to which semipostal stamps are affixed (which are attributable to the appropriate class and/or subclass of mail).

(4) Administrative and support costs that the Postal Service would have incurred whether or not the Semipostal Stamp Program had been established.

c. Cost items recoverable from the differential revenue may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Packaging costs in excess of the cost to package comparable stamps.

(2) Printing costs of flyers and special receipts.

(3) Costs of changes to equipment.

(4) Costs of developing and executing marketing and promotional plans in excess of the cost for comparable stamps.

(5) Other costs specific to the semipostal stamp that would not normally have been incurred for comparable stamps.

(6) Costs in section 645.55 that materially exceed those that would normally have been incurred for comparable stamps.

* * * * *

645.55 Other Costs

[Revise 645.55 to read as follows:]

Other costs attributable to semipostal stamps but that normally would be incurred for comparable stamps, would be recovered through the postage component of the semipostal stamp price. Such costs are not recovered, unless they materially exceed the costs of comparable stamps. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

a. Costs of stamp design (including market research).

b. Costs of stamp production and printing.

c. Costs of stamp shipping and distribution.

d. Estimated training costs for field staff, except for special training associated with semipostal stamps.

e. Costs of stamp sales (including employee salaries and benefits).

f. Costs associated with the withdrawal of the stamp issue from sale.

g. Costs associated with the destruction of unsold stamps.

h. Costs associated with the incorporation of semipostal stamp images into advertising for the Postal Service as an entity.

* * * * *

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 2-5-04

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

Window Envelopes - Address Visibility

Effective February 5, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) C010.6.1 is revised to clarify that all characters in the delivery address (including any postal barcode, marking, or endorsement) must be completely visible in window envelopes throughout the full range of the movement of the inserts bearing the delivery address.

Clear Space

Mailers using window envelopes (both letter-size and flat-size) should design inserts and address element placement to ensure successful processing of window envelopes on automated equipment. One critical element that must be considered in the design stage is adequate clear space (blank space) between the address block and all four edges of the window.

When an insert bearing a delivery address is placed in a window envelope, the placement of all elements comprising the address block must be formatted on the insert to allow the entire delivery address and any corresponding elements included as part of the delivery address block (such as a POSTNET barcode or an Address Change Service (ACS) participant code) to appear in the window when the insert is moved to its full limits in each direction within the envelope.

With little exception, most mail is processed on automated equipment, which needs this clear space to distinguish address information from the edges of the window. The requirements for clear space around the address block are as follows:

• For nonautomation rate mail - except letter-size mail bearing a barcode in the address block (see DMM C840.2.5) and claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density and saturation rates - a clear space of at least 1/8 inch is required between the address block elements and the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the window.

• For automation rate mail and letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density and saturation rates bearing a barcode in the address block:

- A clear space of 1/8 inch is required between the address block (including barcode) and the left and right edges of the window.

- A clear space of 1/25 inch is required between the top and bottom of the barcode and any address information line and (depending on placement within the address block) the top or bottom edge of the window.

Any window envelope used for letter-size or flat-size mail claimed at automation rates or for letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density or saturation rates must also meet the barcoding standards for letters and flats in DMM C840.

• For letter-size automation rate mail and letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density and saturation rates bearing a barcode in the barcode clear zone (see DMM C840.2.1), a clear space of 1/8 inch is recommended between the address block elements and the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the window.

Additional Information

This revision ensures consistent interpretation of current mailing standards for mailpieces prepared in window envelopes. Mailers and Postal ServiceTM employees are also reminded that DMM A010.1.1 requires that the delivery address on any mailpiece, regardless of rate claimed, must be visible and legible.

For additional information, mailers should review Publication 25, Designing Letter and Reply Mail. This publication shows how to design mailpieces for improved mail processing and for possible postage savings. Publication 25 is available at local Post OfficesTM and on Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

We will incorporate this revision 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)

* * * * *

C Characteristics and Content

C000 General Information

C010 General Mailability Standards

* * * * *

6.0 SPECIAL MAILING ENVELOPES

6.1 Window Envelopes

[Revise introductory text of 6.1 by redesignating and revising the third sentence of 6.1b as the first sentence of the introductory text to read as follows:]

For all letter-size and flat-size mail in window envelopes, every character in the delivery address, including any postal barcode, marking, or endorsement, must be completely visible through the window throughout the full range of movement of the insert bearing the delivery address. Any window envelope used for letter-size or flat-size mail claimed at automation rates or for letter-size mail claimed at Enhanced Carrier Route high density or saturation rates must also meet the barcoding standards for letters and flats in C840. Any window envelope used for letter-size or flat- size mail claimed at any other rate must meet the following additional standards:

* * * * *

[Revise the first sentence and delete the third sentence of 6.1b to read as follows:]

b. A clear space of at least 1/8 inch is required between the address block, which includes any optional endorsement line and any barcode, and the top, bottom, left, and right edges of the address window, and must remain when the insert is moved to its full limits in each direction within the envelope to ensure efficient processing and delivery. For nonautomation rate mail, the bottom edge of the address window must not extend more than 1/8 inch into the barcode clear zone as defined in C840. Any letter-size envelope containing a window that intrudes into the barcode clear zone is not eligible for MLOCR or RVE FASTforward processing options for the Move Update standard in A030.

* * * * *

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 2-5-04

DMM REVISION

Labeling List Changes

Effective February 5, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) L606 is revised to correct two Zip CodeTM schemes that were recorded incorrectly in the "Add" portion of the article "DMM Revision: Labeling List Changes" in Postal Bulletin 22120 (1-22-04, pages 8-36). The corrected information is given below.

We will incorporate this revision 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)

* * * * *

L Labeling Lists

* * * * *

L600 Standard Mail and Package Services

* * * * *

L606 5-Digit Scheme-Standard Mail and Package Services Parcels

* * * * *

- Logistics,
Network Operations Management, 2-5-04

Employees

Revised Form

PS Form 8038, Employee Statement to Recover Back Pay

PS Form 8038, Employee Statement to Recover Back Pay, is revised to facilitate data collection required by the Eagan Accounting Service Center in order to process back pay claims in a timely manner. See pages 11-16 of this Postal Bulletin for a copy of PS Form 8038.

Management Instruction EL 430-90-8, Back Pay, describes the general back pay claims process. For additional information on back pay, go to the Headquarters' Compensation Web site at http://hrishq.usps.gov/hrisp/comp/letters.cfm. See also part 436 of the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM), on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Manuals.

Effective Date

Revised PS Form 8038 is dated January 2004 and is effective immediately. You may continue to use stocked copies of the original PS Form 8038, dated July 1990, until you run out of them.

Availability of Form

We will not automatically distribute PS Form 8038 to district offices or Post OfficesTM. The form is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Forms. You can print the form locally. If you have any questions about how to complete the form, contact your local personnel office.

You can also order this form from the Material Distribution Center (MDC) by using 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).

Use the following information to order PS Form 8038:

PSIN: PS8038
NSN: 7530-01-000-9907
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 25
Bulk Pack Quantity: 250
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $0.1515

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 2-5-04

[D-Link]

Finance

REMINDER

Migratory Bird Stamp Destruction

The period for the sale of migratory bird stamps has been extended. The following table contains the deadlines by which unused stamps should be returned for destruction. Additional instructions can be found in part 427, Handling Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, in the online version accessible on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References; then HBKs.

District customer service and sales offices must establish a schedule for offices to submit all unsold migratory bird stamps for destruction. Offices served by stamp distribution offices (SDOs) and stamp services centers (SSCs) must submit unused stamp stock to the stamp destruction committee no later than May 28, 2004.

Notes:

1. Philatelic retail units and offices designated as philatelic retail units served by SDOs and SSCs must submit unsold migratory bird stamps more than two years old to the stamp destruction committee by May 28, 2004.

2. Philatelic retail units and offices designated as philatelic retail units are the only outlets that should have a beginning migratory bird stamp inventory as of June. These offices should maintain a detailed accountability for their migratory bird stamp inventory locally.

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 2-5-04

REMINDER

International Reply Coupons

All stations, branches, and Post OfficesTM must submit exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded international reply coupons (IRCs) accepted through December 31, 2003, to their servicing stamp distribution office (SDO) or stamp services center (SSC) before February 27, 2004.

Redemption rates are:

• Exchanged Foreign-Issued: 1-1-03 through 12-31-03

• Rate per Item: $0.80

Note: Reply coupons issued by foreign countries before January 1, 1975, are no longer redeemable at U.S. Post Offices.

• U.S.-Issued Refunded (purchase price less 1 cent): 1-1-03 through 12-31-03

• Rate per Item: $1.74

Section 426.9 of Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, contains specific instructions for stations, branches, and Post Offices for submitting exchanged foreign-issued and U.S.-issued refunded IRCs to their servicing SDO or SSC.

Section 437.34 of Handbook F-1 contains specific instructions for SDOs, and section 447.34 contains specific instructions for SSCs to account for returned IRCs and submission to the accounting service center (ASC).

SDOs and SSCs should mail IRCs to the following address:

EAGAN ASC FINANCE BRANCH
FINANCIAL REPORTING
US POSTAL SERVICE
2825 LONE OAK PKWY
EAGAN MN 55121-9617

Handbook F-1 is accessible online on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then HBKs.

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 2-5-04

Revenue Unit for Fiscal Year 2003

The revenue unit for Fiscal Year 2003 is $336.47. This is the average revenue for 1,000 pieces of originating mail and special service transactions. The revenue unit is used in the process of determining the proper cost ascertainment grouping (CAG) for Post OfficesTM.

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 2-5-04

International Mail

PUBLICATIONS 524 AND 524-C REVISIONS

Size Requirements for Global Direct - Canada Admail

Effective February 5, 2004, Publication 524, Global Direct - Canada Admail (service guide), and Publication 524-C, Global Direct - Canada Admail (brochure), are revised to update certain size requirements for items mailed with Global DirectTM - Canada Admail service. The revised information is published in this article.

Both publications are available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, and then PUBs. They are also available on the Internet; go to www.usps.com; click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Browse All Periodicals & Publications, and then Publications (either PDF Format or Text Format).

We will not stock printed versions of the new editions of these publications at the Material Distribution Center (MDC).

Publication 524, Global Direct - Canada Admail (service guide)

* * * * *

Section 1: Global Direct - Canada Admail

What You May Send

* * * * *

Size and Weight

Every item must meet size and weight requirements for its category. The maximum weight is 17.6 ounces (500 grams). The size standards follow:

[Revise the table in three cells, all in the Width column. In the Standard section, for "Coupon, Self-Mailer or Envelope Form," revise the maximum width; also in the Standard section, for "Not in Card, Coupon, Self-Mailer or Envelope Form," revise the maximum width; and in the Large section, revise the minimum width. The entire table should read as follows (here we have used bold to emphasize the revised text):]

* * * * *

Section 2: Global Direct Mailbox Service

* * * * *

How To Use Global Direct Mailbox Service

* * * * *

Step 2: Formatting Your Cards and Envelopes

Mail Standards

* * * * *

Envelopes and Self-Mailers

* * * * *

[Revise the second bullet to read as follows:]

• Maximum size: 6-1/8 in. (156 mm) x 9-5/8 in. (245 mm)

* * * * *

Publication 524-C, Global Direct - Canada Admail (brochure)

Global Direct - Canada Admail

* * * * *

Size and Weight

[Revise the table in three cells, all in the Width column. In the Standard section, for "Coupon, Self-Mailer or Envelope Form," revise the maximum width; also in the Standard section, for "Not in Card, Coupon, Self-Mailer or Envelope Form," revise the maximum width; and in the Large section, revise the minimum width. The entire table should read as follows (here we have used bold to emphasize the revised text):]

* * * * *

- International Product Development,
Product Development, 2-5-04

IMM REVISION

Closing of Exchange Office and Customs Service Location at Dallas International Service Center

Effective February 14, 2004, the International Mail Manual (IMM) is revised as follows:

• Exhibits 292.452 and 292.455 are revised to reflect a network change that removes Dallas International Airport as a U.S. International Exchange Office for export mail.

• IMM 292.153 and 293.32 are revised to reflect the address change for drop shipment locations.

• IMM Exhibits 294.42 and 295.43 are revised to reflect changes in labeling and routing information.

We will incorporate these revisions into the printed version of IMM 30 and also into the online version of the IMM, which can be accessed via Postal Explorer at http://pe.usps.gov.

International Mail Manual (IMM)

* * * * *

2 Conditions for Mailing

* * * * *

290 Commercial Services

* * * * *

292 International Priority Airmail Service

292.1 Description

* * * * *

292.15 Deposit

* * * * *

292.153 Drop Shipment Locations

Drop shipment rates are available from the following offices:

* * * * *

Texas:

[Revise the address for Texas to read as follows:]

DALLAS AIRPORT MAIL CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
2300 W 32ND ST
DALLAS TX 75261-9741

* * * * *

292.4 Preparation Requirements for Individual Items

* * * * *

292.45 Sacking Requirements

* * * * *

292.452 Mixed Direct Country Package Sacks

* * * * *

Exhibit 292.452 Labeling of IPA Mail to Postal Service Exchange Offices

[Revise Exhibit 292.452 by changing the third entry to read as follows. Delete the fourth entry (for "ISC DALLAS TX 753").]

* * * * *

292.455 Preparation Requirements for Canada

* * * * *

Exhibit 292.455 Canadian Labeling Information

[Revise Exhibit 292.455 by changing the sixth entry to read as follows. Delete the seventh entry (for the Exchange Office designated "DFW").]

* * * * *

293 International Surface Air Lift (ISAL) Service

* * * * *

293.3 Service Options

* * * * *

293.32 Drop Shipment Locations

Drop shipment rates (as shown in 293.71) are available from the following offices:

* * * * *

Texas:

[Revise the address for Texas to read as follows:]

DALLAS AIRPORT MAIL CTR
US POSTAL SERVICE
2300 W 32ND ST
DALLAS TX 75261-9741

* * * * *

294 Publishers' Periodicals

* * * * *

294.4 Makeup Requirements for Publishers' Periodicals

* * * * *

294.42 Sacking and Labeling

* * * * *

Exhibit 294.42 Publishers' Periodicals - All Countries (Except Canada) Labeling, Routing, and Rate Group
Information

[Revise Exhibit 294.42 by changing the entry for Mexico (on p. 4) to read as follows (changing the routing code from 753 to 75199):]

Routing Identification Information:

* * * * *

[For the "Routing Identification Information" that appears at the end of Exhibit 294.42, revise the fourth item to read as follows:]

75199 BMC Dallas TX 75199

* * * * *

295 Books and Sheet Music

* * * * *

295.4 Makeup Requirements for Books and Sheet Music

* * * * *

295.43 Sacking and Labeling

* * * * *

Exhibit 295.43 Books and Sheet Music - All Countries (Except Canada) Labeling and Routing Information

[Revise Exhibit 295.43 by changing the entry for Mexico (on p. 4) to read as follows (changing the routing code from 753 to 75199:]

Routing Identification Information:

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[For the "Routing Identification Information" that appears at the end of Exhibit 295.43, revise the fourth item to read as follows:]

75199 BMC Dallas TX 75199

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- International Network Operations,
Network Operations Management, 2-5-04

Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 04-01

Theodor Seuss Geisel Commemorative Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 37-cent Theodor Seuss Geisel commemorative stamp (Item 455500) in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on March 2, 2004, in La Jolla, California. The stamp, designed by Carl T. Herrman, Carlsbad, California, goes on sale nationwide March 3, 2004.

This stamp honors Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, on the 100th anniversary of his birth. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss has introduced countless children to the joys of reading.

The stamp features a color photograph of Geisel taken in Dallas, Texas, in 1987. In the stamp design Geisel is surrounded by his illustrations of six characters from his books. From left to right:

• The Cat in the Hat from The Cat in the Hat (1957)

• The Grinch (with color added) from How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1957)

• The Glotz (or the identical Klotz) from Oh Say Can You Say? (1979)

• Three characters from the 1965 book I Had Trouble in Getting To Solla Sollew:

- The Skritz

- The anonymous "young fellow"

- The Shrink

How to Order the First Day of Issue Postmark

This information is not available at the time of this printing.

How to Order First Day Covers

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

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

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

Philatelic Products

There is a philatelic product for this stamp issue. The Ceremony Program and First Day Cover Keepsake, Item 455591, sells for $6.70 and is available:

• In Postal Retail Stores.

• Online at www.usps.com.

• By telephone at 800-STAMP-24.

Distribution: 37-cent Theodor Seuss Geisel Commemorative Stamp, Item 455500

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive their full standard automatic distribution quantity for a PSA sheet stamp, plus an additional one-third the standard quantity. Distributions are rounded up to the nearest master carton size (40,000 stamps).

Initial Supply to Post Offices

SDOs will make a subsequent automatic distribution to Post Offices of a full standard automatic distribution quantity using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before February 26, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs with authorized philatelic centers will receive an automatic distribution of these stamps in nine positions for subsequent distribution to each philatelic window.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional Item 455500 must requisition them from their designated SDO using PS Form 17. SDOs requiring additional stamps must order them from the appropriate accountable paper depository (APD) using PS Form 17.

For fulfilling supplemental orders from SDOs, the Chicago, Memphis, and New York APDs will each receive 8,000,000 additional stamps; the San Francisco APD will receive 7,000,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 3,200,000 additional stamps.

Sales Policy

All Post Offices must acquire and maintain a supply of each new commemorative stamp as long as customer demand exists, until inventory is depleted, or until the stamp is officially withdrawn from sale. If supplies run low, Post Offices must reorder additional quantities using their normal ordering procedures.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 2-5-04