USPSNEWS@WORK

POSTAL REFORM: USPS leaders testify at joint hearing

The topic: Reforming the laws that govern the Postal ServiceTM.

The setting: A rare joint hearing by the House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform and the Senate's Committee on Governmental Affairs.

The message: USPS® needs a business model for a new century.

The messengers: USPS Board of Governors Chairman David Fineman and Postmaster General (PMG) Jack Potter.

The Postal Service's 34-year business model is based on the outdated assumption that rising First-Class Mail® volume will fund an ever-expanding delivery network, said Fineman and Potter.

Postal reform is fraught with challenges, said Potter, "but the rewards for the people of our nation can't be understated. If we are successful in our efforts, we will preserve the right of every American to affordable, universal mail service."

Mail volume has declined in each of the last three years, dropping more than 5 billion pieces from its peak in 2000, said the PMG. During the same three-year period, the number of addresses USPS served increased by 5.4 million.

In 2003, for the first time since the Postal Service was reorganized 34 years ago, First-Class Mail volume was less than 50 percent of total mail volume, said Fineman. Total mail volume was 202 billion - only 99 billion pieces were First-Class Mail. Why the loss of volume? The Internet, e-mail, faxes and electronic bill-paying were the stuff of science fiction in 1970.

While Standard Mail® volume has risen, it doesn't contribute as much to the Postal Service's bottom line. It takes about three new pieces of Standard Mail to make up for the loss of one of First-Class Mail, said Fineman. The decline in First-Class Mail volume took away $642 million in revenue contribution last year, he added.

Potter and Fineman thanked Congress and the administration for passing legislation that prevented USPS from overfunding Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). The law helped USPS reduce its outstanding debt by more than one third - from $11.1 billion to $7.3 billion - in fiscal year 2003. It will provide more debt relief this year.

This same legislation, however, creates new financial obligations that increase costs, said Potter. The law forces USPS to pick up the $27 billion tab for military retirement benefits earned by USPS employees when they were in military service. For every other federal agency, this cost is borne by the Treasury.

And, in 2006, any savings realized by CSRS will be placed in an escrow fund controlled by Congress - not by the Postal Service. CSRS legislation needs to be amended, he said, so military retirement costs are returned to the Treasury and the escrow requirement is eliminated.

Building bridges: Diversity Web site helps USPS reach non-English speakers

USPS serves a country of more than 292 million people. That's a large customer base. And the fastest growing sector is non-English speaking.

To better reach these customers, Diversity Development has launched a new Multicultural Outreach Web site. It features translation aids for special services and product fact sheets in five languages - Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Russian. The translation aids can be printed and are a valuable resource for postal employees, especially retail associates, sales representatives and others.

Using the new translation aids, non-English-speaking customers can get step-by-step instructions on completing USPS special services forms and a description of Postal Service products. Reaching more customers - in any language - translates into a revenue boost for USPS.

Visit the site today at http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/multicultural/.

MORE ON NEW BLUE: Some access from coming soon

Public Affairs and Communications and Human Resources are partnering with Information Technology to make Blue available to employees at . IT is hard at work on a version of Blue that will be available to employees via their computers.

The first release, expected in the next 90 days, will launch with a limited number of features. The challenge is to make external access to the Postal Service Intranet safe so the Postal Service's infrastructure isn't at risk. Our overall goal is to add as many of Blue's services and features as possible over time.

USPSNEWS@WORK

Since this will be the first launch of the Postal Service Intranet available to all employees at , IT is making sure we have it right to ensure a successful launch.

E-Learning: NCED partners with Oklahoma colleges

Ready to advance your career and expand your horizons? USPS's National Center for Employee Development (NCED) in Norman, OK, can help.

NCED has partnered with the University of Oklahoma, Rose State College and Oklahoma City Community College to offer specialized degree plans for USPS employees. Some NCED courses will count toward an associate or bachelors degree. Students also may be able to apply college-level course work from other schools toward the degrees. Tuition discounts are available.

Online learning is a practical way for working people to earn a college degree without stepping foot on a campus. Interested? Go to http://nced.usps.gov.

Fly like a . . . Hawk: Mississippi employee Jerry Hawk wins national award

Gulfport, MS, Mailing Standards Specialist Jerry Hawk has been selected as the national winner of the 6th annual Benjamin Franklin Community Newspaper and Postal Service Partnership Award of Excellence. The award was presented by Postmaster General Jack Potter, National Newspaper Association (NNA) President Bob Sweeney and NNA Postal Committee Chair Max Heath at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.

The Benjamin Franklin Award of Excellence is presented to a Postal Service employee who best represents the spirit of Benjamin Franklin - founding father, newspaper publisher, statesman and our country's first postmaster general.

Hawk was recognized in part for training small newspaper staffs on how to use the Postal Wizard program - a USPS electronic program that helps mailers prepare postage statements.

Shining brightly: NetPost superstars boost holiday sales

Superstars aren't just on the playing field or the movie screen. They're here in the Postal Service, too. This time the spotlight shines on four employees who won the NetPost® Sales Superstars contest for generating the most NetPost-related revenue during December and January. The contest helped increase revenue and generated more than 400,000 pieces of NetPost mail.

Using NetPost services, customers can create and send letters, cards, postcards and Certified MailTM. NetPost superstars included Dallas, TX, Senior Account Manager Deborah Howard; Denver, CO, National Account Manager Cleo Swenson; Erie, PA, Account Manager Cheryl Zellefrow; and Norfolk, VA, Account Manager Kathy Lynch.

Employee Assistance Program: There when you need it

Need help handling personal problems? The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is there for you. EAP can provide the tools you need to deal with any number of concerns, big or small. It's a free, confidential service offered to Postal Service employees and their families. Support services are there when you need them - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

For more information, call 800-EAP-4YOU or go to www.EAP4YOU.com.

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.

The electronic version of Publication 223 is available at www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub223.pdf.

Revised Directives

Handbooks

Publications

Revised Forms

Obsolete Directives

Management Instructions

Obsolete Forms

- Policies and Procedures Information,
Public Affairs and Communications, 4-1-04

ASM REVISION

Vice President, Emergency Preparedness - Position Added to ASM

Effective April 1, 2004, Administrative Support Manual (ASM) 13, section 111.541, Reporting Directly to the Postmaster General, is revised to include the position of vice president, Emergency Preparedness, in the Headquarters organization. The postmaster general announced this position on November 13, 2003.

Specifically, we revised section 111.541 as follows:

• Increased the number of corporate officers reporting to the postmaster general from 9 to 10.

• Added the words "the vice president of Emergency Preparedness" to the list of corporate officers.

We will incorporate this revision into the printed version of ASM 14 and into an incremental update of the online ASM, which is accessible through the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet page Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Manuals.

Administrative Support Manual (ASM)

1 Postal Organization

11 Authority and Responsibilities

111 General Organization

* * * * *

111.5 Headquarters Organization

* * * * *

111.54 Heads of Headquarters Organizational Units

111.541 Reporting Directly to the Postmaster General

[Revise 111.541 to read as follows:]

Ten of the corporate officers report directly to the postmaster general. These are the deputy postmaster general, the chief operating officer and executive vice president, the vice president of Strategic Planning, the general counsel and vice president, the senior vice president of Human Resources, the chief inspector, the senior vice president of Government Relations and Public Policy, the chief financial officer and executive vice president of Finance, the vice president of Emergency Preparedness, and the president of Expedited/Package Services, who is overseen by a management committee of officers.

* * * * *

- Vice President,
Emergency Preparedness, 4-1-04

ASM REVISION

Disclosure of Information Collected From Mail Sent or Received by Customers

Administrative Support Manual (ASM) sections 213.3 and 274.5 have been revised to reflect organizational and technological changes and to ensure that updated cross references are included.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the ASM and into the online version, which is available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http:blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then Manuals.

Administrative Support Manual (ASM)

* * * * *

2 Audits and Investigations

21 General

* * * * *

213 Mail Covers

* * * * *

213.3 Definitions

The following definitions apply to mail covers:

* * * * *

[Revise paragraph b to read as follows:]

b. Record, for the purposes of this section, is a transcription, photograph, electronic image, photocopy, or any other facsimile of the image of the outside cover, envelope, wrapper, or contents of any class of mail.

* * * * *

27 Security

* * * * *

274 Mail Security

* * * * *

274.5 Disclosure of Information Collected From Mail Sent or Received by Customers

[Revise first paragraph to read as follows:]

As a general rule, Postal Service employees may not disclose information or data from the exterior of a piece of mail, disclose information about the contents of a piece of mail, or disclose other information about a piece of mail, within or outside the Postal Service. Only under the following conditions may an employee disclose information while performing official duties:

* * * * *

f. For the following Postal Service operations, employees may make, record, or disclose an image of a mailpiece. Any image created for Postal Service operations must be destroyed once the information is no longer necessary for that operational purpose:

* * * * *

[Revise first two sentences of paragraph 5 to read as follows and delete last sentence:]

(5) To facilitate internal Postal Service operations under specific authorization and written instructions from the chief privacy officer. Requests for authorization to the chief privacy officer must describe the process for facilitating operations and specify the necessary retention period.

* * * * *

[Revise paragraph 8 to read as follows:]

(8) To provide information to a Postal Service contractor, or its subcontractor, in the performance of a contract with the Postal Service, but only if each disclosure and use of the information is in strict compliance with contract clause 1-1, Privacy Protection (Appendix B of the Purchasing Manual, January 2002).

* * * * *

- Consumer Affairs,
Chief Privacy Officer, 4-1-04

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.

NEW FORM AND NOTICE SET

We Care - Acknowledgement Card and Follow-Up Form Set Available

The check is in the mail. The check on how well we are resolving customer complaints, that is.

A set of 80 copies each of Notice 110, We Care Acknowledgement Card, and PS 8225, Acknowledgement Card Follow-up, is on the way to each Consumer Affairs Office. Destroy/recycle locally created variations of these forms when you receive the new Postal ServiceTM forms.

Each Consumer Affairs Office is required to select 5 random We Care cases and 15 random MyPO cases each month for follow-up using these forms.

You can order additional copies of PS Form 8225 and Notice 110 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.)

Forms are packaged in unit sets of 80 each per package. Use the following information to order PS Form 8225 and Notice 110 together in sets:

PSIN: PS 8225
PSN: 9915-07-000-0011
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: 1
Bulk Pack Quantity: 480
Quick Pick Number: N/A
Price: $0.1661
Edition Date: 01/04

- Office of Corporate Customer Contact,
Office of Consumer Advocate, 4-1-04

Domestic Mail

DMM REVISION

Standard Mail Low-Weight Flats - 15-Piece Minimum for 5-Digit and 5-Digit Scheme Packages

Effective August 1, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) E620.2.0, E640.1.5, M610.4.2, M820.5.1, and M950.3.2 are revised to raise the required minimum number of pieces from 10 to 15 at which 5-digit and, for certain automation-compatible mail, optional 5-digit scheme presort destination packages are prepared in a Standard Mail® job consisting of flat-size pieces each weighing no more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) and measuring no more than 3/4 inch thick.

The long lead time provided with this notice will permit mailers, software developers, and Postal ServiceTM employees to make the necessary adjustments to existing equipment and systems. Mailers are advised to consider production runs and mailing dates to ensure that Standard Mail flats entered for verification and acceptance on Sunday, August 1, 2004, meet the new standards. Mailers may begin using the 15-piece minimum immediately under the current standards now available and explained in the section "Current Standards."

New Standards

When the changes take effect on August 1, 2004, mailers will not be permitted to prepare 5-digit packages until there are 15 or more pieces to a 5-digit ZIP CodeTM or optional 5-digit scheme destination for Standard Mail mailings of flat-size pieces that each weigh no more than 5 ounces and measure no more than 3/4 inch thick.

For mailings that contain any pieces that weigh more than 5 ounces, and for upgraded flat sorting machine (UFSM) 1000 automation rate flats measuring more than 3/4 inch thick, regardless of weight, mailers will be required to prepare 5-digit packages whenever there are 10 or more pieces to a destination. For ease of administration, mailers will use the 10-piece package minimum for mailings of nonidentical-weight pieces if any pieces in the mailing weigh more than 5 ounces.

Current Standards

Under current mailing standards, mailers have the option to prepare 5-digit and 5-digit scheme presort destination packages (collectively referred to in this final rule as 5-digit packages) of Standard Mail flat-size pieces not more than 3/4 inch thick, regardless of the piece weight, whenever there are as few as 10 pieces to the same 5-digit ZIP Code or to the same 5-digit scheme destination in DMM L007.

Under these same current standards, mailers must prepare such packages when there are 17 or more pieces to these destinations. If a mailer selects an optional minimum 5-digit package size from 10 to 16 pieces, that same package size must be used consistently throughout the mailing job for all 5-digit packages.

The current mailing standards allowing the variable package minimums were implemented on September 5, 2002, and gave mailers the option to select a number from 10 to 17 as the minimum number of pieces at which 5-digit packages are prepared in a Standard Mail job of flat-size pieces no more than 3/4 inch thick, without regard to the weight of the individual pieces. Prior to that date, mailers were required to prepare 5-digit packages whenever there were 10 or more pieces to the same 5-digit ZIP Code destination.

Effective January 9, 2003, mailing standards were further amended to permit the preparation of optional 5-digit scheme packages under DMM L007 using the same flexible minimum of 10 to 17 pieces. Under current mailing standards, mailers may still prepare 5-digit packages with as few as 10 pieces.

Productivities

The Postal Service had adopted the current optional 5-digit package minimum (optional with 10 to 16 pieces, required with 17 pieces) based in large part on an examination of the productivities and piece processing efficiencies of the automated flat sorting machine (AFSM) 100, which can handle flat-size pieces up to 3/4 inch thick. Furthermore, as a result of the combined 3/5-rate, a change to the 5-digit package minimum would have little impact on postage.

Initial analysis of piece, package, and container handling costs indicated that the appropriate minimum for 5-digit packages of Standard Mail flat-size pieces is, on average, above 10 pieces, and that the minimum could be further increased for flats likely to be processed on the AFSM 100. AFSM 100-compatible flats are limited to pieces measuring no more than 12 inches high, 15 inches long, and 3/4 inch thick. (Only flat-size pieces claimed and prepared at automation rates and meeting the standards for the UFSM 1000 may measure up to 1-1/4 inches thick. All other flat- size pieces may not measure more than 3/4 inch thick.)

Increasing the minimum for 5-digit packages of such pieces could help reduce overall Postal Service processing costs, with the additional AFSM 100 piece handlings for pieces moving from 5-digit to 3-digit packages more than offset by reduced package handling costs. Package handling costs include processing the packages, either on a small parcel and bundle sorter (SPBS) or manually, and opening the packages in preparation for piece processing.

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)

* * * * *

E Eligibility

* * * * *

E600 Standard Mail

* * * * *

E620 Presorted Rates

1.0 BASIC STANDARDS

1.1 All Pieces

All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail Presorted rate mailing must:

* * * * *

[Revise 1.1b to read as follows:]

b. Except as provided in 1.2, be part of a single mailing of at least 200 addressed pieces or 50 pounds of pieces qualifying for Presorted Standard Mail. Basic rate and 3/5 rate pieces prepared as part of the same mailing are subject to a single minimum volume standard. Regular and Nonprofit mailings must meet separate minimum volumes.

* * * * *

2.0 RATES

[Revise 2.0 by reorganizing text to read as follows:]

2.1 Application

Presorted rates for Regular and Nonprofit Standard Mail apply to letters, flats, and machinable and irregular parcels that meet the eligibility standards in E610 and the preparation standards in M045, M610, M800, or, for flat-size mail only, M900.

2.2 Basic Rate

The basic rate applies to pieces that do not meet the standards for 3/5 rates described in 2.3.

2.3 3/5 Rates

The 3/5 rate applies to qualifying pieces if they are presented:

a. For letter-size pieces (see C050.2.0), in quantities of 150 or more pieces for a single 3-digit ZIP Code prefix area, prepared in 5-digit or 3-digit trays.

b. For flat-size pieces (see C050.3.0):

(1) In a 5-digit scheme (under M950) or 5-digit package of 10 or more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as applicable; or in a 3-digit package of 10 or more pieces; placed in a 5-digit scheme (under M920), 5-digit, or 3-digit sack containing at least 125 pieces or 15 pounds of pieces.

(2) In a 5-digit package of 10 or more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as applicable, that is part of a group of packages sorted to a merged 5-digit or merged 5-digit scheme (under M920) sack that contains either at least one qualifying carrier route package of 10 or more pieces, or contains at least 125 pieces or 15 pounds of pieces prepared in 5-digit packages (both automation and Presorted rate 5-digit packages count toward the 125-piece or 15-pound sack minimum).

(3) In a 5-digit scheme (under M950) or 5-digit package of 10 or more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as applicable; or in a 3-digit package of 10 or more pieces; palletized under M045, M920, M930, or M940.

c. For machinable parcels (see C050.4.0):

(1) In a 5-digit scheme (L606), 5-digit, ASF, or BMC sack containing at least 10 pounds of parcels. (The 3/5 rates are available only when all possible 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks are prepared.)

(2) On a 5-digit scheme (L606), 5-digit, ASF, or BMC pallet. (The 3/5 rates are available only when all possible 5-digit scheme and 5-digit pallets are prepared.)

d. For irregular parcels (see C050.5.0), in a 5-digit scheme (L606), 5-digit, or 3-digit sack containing at least 125 parcels or 15 pounds of parcels. (The 3/5 rates are available only when all possible 5-digit scheme and 5-digit sacks are prepared.)

e. For commingled machinable and irregular parcels, in a 5-digit scheme (L606) or 5-digit sack containing at least 10 pounds of parcels.

* * * * *

E640 Automation Rates

1.0 REGULAR AND NONPROFIT RATES

* * * * *

1.5 Rate Application-Flats

Automation rates apply to each piece that is sorted under M045, M820, or M900 into the qualifying groups:

[Revise 1.5a to read as follows:]

a. Pieces in 5-digit or 5-digit scheme packages of 10 or more pieces, or 15 or more pieces, as applicable, or in 3-digit packages of 10 or more pieces qualify for the 3/5 automation rate.

* * * * *

M Mail Preparation and Sortation

* * * * *

M600 Standard Mail (Nonautomation)

M610 Presorted Standard Mail

* * * * *

4.0 PREPARATION-FLAT-SIZE PIECES

* * * * *

4.2 Packaging and Labeling

Preparation sequence, package size, and labeling:

[Revise 4.2a to read as follows:]

a. 5-digit (required):

(1) For mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or less: 15-piece minimum; red Label 5 or optional endorsement line (OEL).

(2) For mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound): 10-piece minimum; red Label 5 or OEL.

* * * * *

M800 All Automation Mail

* * * * *

M820 Flat-Size Mail

* * * * *

5.0 STANDARD MAIL

5.1 Packaging and Labeling

Preparation sequence, package size, and labeling:

[Revise 5.1a and 5.1b to read as follows:]

a. 5-digit scheme (optional):

(1) For mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or less: 15-piece minimum; optional endorsement line (OEL) required.

(2) For mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound): 10-piece minimum; OEL required.

b. 5-digit (required):

(1) For mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or less and measuring 3/4 inch thick or less: 15-piece minimum; red Label 5 or OEL.

(2) For mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or measuring more than 3/4 inch thick: 10-piece minimum; red Label 5 or OEL.

* * * * *

M900 Advanced Preparation Options for Flats

* * * * *

M950 Co-Packaging Automation Rate and Presorted Rate Pieces

* * * * *

3.0 STANDARD MAIL

* * * * *

3.2 Package Preparation

Package size, preparation sequence, and labeling:

[Revise 3.2a and 3.2b to read as follows:]

a. 5-digit scheme (optional):

(1) For mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or less: 15-piece minimum; optional endorsement line (OEL) required.

(2) For mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound): 10-piece minimum; OEL required.

b. 5-digit (required):

(1) For mailings containing only pieces weighing 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or less and measuring 3/4 inch thick or less: 15-piece minimum; red Label 5 or OEL.

(2) For mailings containing any pieces weighing more than 5 ounces (0.3125 pound) or measuring more than 3/4 inch thick: 10-piece minimum; red Label 5 or OEL.

* * * * *

- Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 4-1-04

DMM REVISION

Permissible Barcode Symbology for Confirmation Services Labels/Mailings

Effective April 1, 2004, Domestic Mail Manual (DMMTM) S918 and S919 are revised to establish a required use date of the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology for all electronic option Delivery ConfirmationTM and Signature ConfirmationTM services mail and for retail rate Delivery Confirmation service used with Merchandise Return Service. As of January 31, 2005, the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology will be the only permissible barcode for items mailed with electronic option Delivery Confirmation and Signature Confirmation services. This standard also applies to Merchandise Return Service labels with Delivery Confirmation service.

Since January 10, 2004, the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode is the only symbology acceptable for postal routing barcodes on Standard Mail® and Package Services parcels to qualify for the $0.03 barcode discount (see Postal Bulletin 22122 (2-19-04, pages 6-8)).

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)

* * * * *

S Special Services

* * * * *

S900 Special Postal Services

S910 Security and Accountability

* * * * *

S918 Delivery Confirmation

* * * * *

3.0 BARCODES

3.1 Symbology

[Revise text to read as follows:]

Labels printed by mailers must meet the following barcode symbology requirements:

a. Mailers printing their own barcodes and using the retail service option (1.4a) must use the Automatic Identification Manufacturers' (AIM) Uniform Specifications for USS Code Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode symbology. Each barcode must contain a unique Package Identification Code (PIC) as specified in 3.2. Barcodes must also meet the specifications in Publication 91.

b. Effective January 31, 2005, mailers printing their own barcodes and using the electronic service option (1.4b) must use the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology. All new mailers must also use this symbology. Through January 30, 2005, mailers printing their own barcodes and using the electronic service option may use one of the following barcode symbologies: UCC/EAN Code 128, USS Code Interleaved 2 of 5, USS Code 39, or USS Code 128. Each barcode must contain a unique PIC as specified in 3.2. Barcodes must also meet the specifications in Publication 91. Refer to DMM S923 for Delivery Confirmation service with Merchandise Return Service.

* * * * *

S919 Signature Confirmation

* * * * *

3.0 BARCODES

3.1 Symbology

[Revise text to read as follows:]

Labels printed by mailers must meet the following barcode symbology requirements:

a. Mailers printing their own barcodes and using the retail service option (1.4a) must use the Automatic Identification Manufacturers' (AIM) Uniform Specifications for USS Code Interleaved 2 of 5 barcode symbology. Each barcode must contain a unique Package Identification Code (PIC) as specified in 3.2. Barcodes must also meet the specifications in Publication 91.

b. Effective January 31, 2005, mailers printing their own barcodes and using the electronic service option (1.4b) must use only the UCC/EAN Code 128 barcode symbology. All new mailers must also use this symbology. Through January 30, 2005, mailers printing their own barcodes and using the electronic service option may use one of the following barcode symbologies: UCC/EAN Code 128, USS Code Interleaved 2 of 5, USS Code 39, or USS Code 128. Each barcode must contain a unique PIC as specified in 3.2. Barcodes must also meet the specifications in Publication 91.

* * * * *

- Product Information Requirements,
Product Development, 4-1-04

Click-N-Ship Contest for Postal Service Facilities

As a Postal ServiceTM employee, you have spread the word about Click-N-Ship® service, the easy and convenient online service that allows customers to print labels from their offices or computers. And now you are ready to help your area, district, and Post OfficeTM facility become a winner in the Postal Service's new Click-N-Ship contest.

The goal of this contest is to increase Click-N-Ship awareness and usage nationwide. The contest will run for 3 months, from April 1, 2004, to June 30, 2004. Areas, districts, and Post OfficeTM facilities will compete nationally against comparable-level entities - there will be six categories - based on the following two measurement criteria:

• Highest Click-N-Ship revenue (April 1, 2004 - June 30, 2004).

• Highest dollar increase in revenue over baseline (April 1, 2004 - June 30, 2004). Baseline is equivalent to each office's combined Click-N-Ship revenue for the previous 3 months - January, February, and March 2004 - as reported in WebEIS.

Each participating district will be responsible for determining the baseline for each of its Post Offices and determining a winning Post Office for each of the two measurement criteria. Each district must submit this information to its area office by July 23, 2004.

Based on information received from the districts, each area will select a winning Post Office for each of the two measurement criteria and will submit this information to Product Development in Marketing at Headquarters by August 6, 2004, to an e-mail address that we will provide in a later Postal Bulletin article as we get closer to the deadline. We will use the information we receive from the area offices to select the winners, and we will announce the winners by August 13, 2004.

Each winner will receive a plaque and public recognition. In addition, each winning district and Post Office facility will receive monetary awards as noted below.

It is easy for each district to find its baseline information for each of its offices on the new and improved Click-N- Ship WebEIS site. Just follow these easy directions:

1. Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

2. On the left-hand side under "Essential Links," click on WebEIS.

3. On the left-hand side, click on Marketing.

4. On the left-hand side, click on the Corporate/Marketing/Click-N-Ship folder, and then click on Click-N-Ship Revenue Report.

5. On the buttons across the top of the screen, click on Trend (if it isn't already selected).

6. In the columns across the top of the screen, under "Time," select Month. To clear the unwanted months from the display, click on every checkbox except the three checkboxes for just "Jan FY2004," "Feb FY2004," and "Mar FY2004." (Be sure to scroll down to access the checkboxes for all available months.) Note: Monthly data will be available on the Monday following the end of the month, so the data for March 2004 will be available on Monday April 5, 2004.

7. Under "Type," click on Fin#.

8. Under "Area," click on your area.

9. Under "Cluster," click on the appropriate cluster.

10. Under "Fin#," click on the appropriate finance number.

11. Determine the baseline from the graphic summarizing and totaling the data. The baseline will be the total revenue for all 3 months. For instance, if the data for the 3 months showed revenue of $5,000 for January, $6,000 for February, and $7,000 for March, the baseline for the contest would be $18,000.

12. To download the information to an Excel file, click on Download at the top of the screen, and after the screen refreshes, click on Download in the bottom right of the screen.

You now have your baseline and can begin tracking your revenue. If you have any questions, contact your area retail manager.

During this contest, you might want to review your progress on a weekly or monthly basis by selecting the appropriate reporting time frame in the "Time" column. You can also check on the progress of other areas by making the appropriate selections in the "Type" column.

Good luck! And remember - your winning office is just a Click-N-Ship away!

- Product Information Requirements,
Product Development, 4-1-04