Domestic Mail (Continued)

146.3 Disposition

146.31 Damaged Article

[Revise 146.31 to read as follows:]

For a completely damaged article with little or no salvage value (under $10.00), allow the customer to keep the article if the customer wants it; items that may be of a hazardous nature to employees must be destroyed. If the completely damaged Insured Mail, COD, or Express Mail article has salvage value, retain it for 60 days, and then forward it to the appropriate mail recovery center on the next weekly dispatch.

Provide the customer with PS Form 3831, Receipt for Article(s) Damaged in Mails. The status of a claim can be obtained by calling the St. Louis ASC Help Desk at 866-974-2733. If the customer's claim is denied, return the article upon request. St. Louis ASC will notify the customer in writing that the claimant has 30 days from the date of denial action to recover the article and that he/she has no recourse if, subsequently, the item is disposed of after the 30 days. Articles on which claims are paid, on which the customer has not filed an appeal, or on which the customer fails to recover after the final denial action, should be forwarded to the appropriate mail recovery center on the next weekly dispatch. Articles being sent to the mail recovery center should not be stripped of the insured labels and must include a copy of the paid claim letter or notice that the item is ready for auction. Always document disposition of damaged article. For Registered Mail damage claims, retain the article and packaging at the Post Office until released by notification from the St. Louis ASC. Make sure the disposition of the damaged article is clearly annotated on PS Form 1000.

* * * * *

[Delete current 146.4. Renumber current 146.5 as new 146.4.]

* * * * *

- Revenue and Field Accounting,
Finance, 4-29-04

Employees

CORRECTION/REVISED PUBLICATION

Publication 553, Employee's Guide to Understanding Sexual Harassment

In Postal Bulletin 22126 (4-15-04, page 90), the article "Publication 553 Helps Employees Identify Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Sexual Conduct" incorrectly stated that Publication 553, Employee's Guide to Understanding Sexual Harassment (February 2004), is available on the Internet at www.usps.com.

It is available only on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site; go to http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then PUBs.

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 4-29-04

New Supplier Diversity Training Tool

Effective May 1, 2004, the course Supplier Diversity in the U.S. Postal Service: An Introduction for Buyers (course number 34Q01-09) will be available. This 2-hour, self- paced Computer Based Training (CBT) module combines information, graphics, and tests to provide a basic understanding of supplier diversity as a supply management strategy. The training is mandatory for any Postal ServiceTM employee in a buying function, including contracting officers, contracting officer representatives, managers, eBuy users, those selecting suppliers, and I.M.P.A.C. credit card holders. Participants who complete the training will receive 2-hour VOE training credit through the National Training Data Base.

The CBT translates the nine elements of the supplier diversity corporate plan - along with the transformation plan - into real-life "best practices" that the Postal Service buyer may use immediately.

Effective May 1, 2004, the course will be available at the Supplier Diversity Web page on the corporate Intranet at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/scmstrategies/diversity.htm.

You may request CD copies of the training by sending an e-mail to business@usps.gov or by writing to:

SUPPLY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES SUPPLIER
DIVERSITY
475 L'ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 4320
WASHINGTON DC 20260-4320

- SCM Strategies,
Supply Management, 4-29-04

Information Technology

Nitta Belting Materials Now Available Through eBuy

Working in partnership, Information Technology and Supply Management are pleased to announce that belting materials produced by Nitta Corporation of America are now available on eBuy.

On August 11, 2003, we awarded contract number 3CASPT-03-Q-6265 to Nitta Corporation of America for belting materials. As of April 7, 2004, you may order Nitta belting items only through eBuy, which may be accessed online at http://ebuy.usps.gov/eBuyWelcome.jsp. Contract pricing is available on eBuy in Nitta's electronic catalog.

To order through eBuy you should contact your district or area eBuy representative to receive a logon ID and password. If you have access to the Postal ServiceTM Intranet, you must order through eBuy and can obtain an eBuy logon ID and password at the blue page. Go to http://blue.usps.gov; under "eLinks," click on eBuy.

If your office currently uses the Visual Maintenance Activity Reporting System (VMARS), continue ordering through VMARS, because these orders pass through the eBuy purchasing system.

We will be publishing detailed ordering information in a forthcoming Material Logistics Bulletin, which may be accessed online (when it is available) at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/operations/ops_nmcs_.htm.

- Information Technology and
Supply Management, 4-29-04

Philately

Stamp Announcement 04-12

American Choreographers Stamps

The Postal ServiceTM will issue 37-cent, American Choreographers commemorative stamps (Item 456000) in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on May 4, 2004, in Newark, New Jersey. The stamps, designed by Ethel Kessler of Bethesda, Maryland, go on sale nationwide May 5, 2004.

The stamps honor four extraordinary choreographers - George Balanchine, Martha Graham, Agnes de Mille, and Alvin Ailey. Each left a profound mark on the language of dance. Each stamp contains a collage that features a photographic portrait of the choreographer. Some of the stamps also show members of the choreographer's company dancing.

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmark

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

AMERICAN CHOREOGRAPHERS COMMEMORATIVE STAMPS POSTMASTER
2 FEDERAL SQUARE RM 211
NEWARK NJ 07102-9998

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 3, 2004.

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 writing to:

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

Each cover must have sufficient postage to meet current First-Class Mail® postage. 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 456091, sells for $8.95 and is available:

• In Postal Service retail stores.

• Online at www.usps.com/shop.

• By telephone at 800-STAMP-24.

Distribution: 37-cent, American Choreographers Commemorative Stamps, Item 456000

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive one-half of their standard automatic distribution quantities for a PSA sheet stamp. 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 for one-half of their standard automatic distribution quantities using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute these stamps to Post Offices before April 29, 2004.

Philatelic Requirement

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

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional Item 456000 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 New York APD will receive 1,600,000 additional stamps; the Memphis and Chicago APDs will each receive 1,120,000 additional stamps; the San Francisco APD will receive 1,000,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 480,000 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, 4-29-04

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 04-13

National World War II Memorial Stamp

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 37-cent, National World War II Memorial commemorative stamp (Item 456200) in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 on May 29, 2004, in Washington, DC. The stamp, designed by Howard E. Paine of Delaplane, Virginia, goes on sale nationwide May 29, 2004.

With the issuance of a stamp depicting the National World War II Memorial, the Postal Service honors the achievement and ideals of Americans who served during World War II.

The memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, was designed by Friedrich St. Florian, an architect based in Providence, Rhode Island. Artist Tom Engeman's computer-generated design shows one of the two large memorial arches with a curving row of pillars, each pillar representing a state or territory from the World War II era, in the background. The stamp issuance is scheduled to coincide with the dedication of the memorial.

How to Order First Day of Issue Postmark

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

NATIONAL WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL
COMMEMORATIVE STAMP
POSTMASTER
WWII FIRST DAY OF ISSUE
900 BRENTWOOD RD NE
WASHINGTON DC 20066-9998

After applying the first day of issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark. All orders must be postmarked by June 28, 2004.

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 writing to:

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

Philatelic Products

There are no philatelic products for this stamp issue.

Distribution: Item 456200, 37-cent, National World War II Memorial Commemorative Stamp

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive more than three-fourths of their standard automatic distribution quantities for a PSA sheet stamp. 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 for one-half of their standard automatic distribution quantities using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute these stamps to Post Offices before May 21, 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 456200 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 New York, Memphis, and Chicago APDs will each receive 2,600,000 additional stamps; the San Francisco APD will receive 2,200,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 1,000,000 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, 4-29-04

CORRECTION

Lewis & Clark: The Corps of Discovery, 1804-1806, Prestige Booklet

In the article "Stamp Announcement 04-07: Lewis & Clark: The Corps of Discovery, 1804-1806, Prestige Booklet of 20 Stamps," in Postal Bulletin 22126 (4-15-04, page 102), the technical details table incorrectly lists:

• "882600 Prestige Booklet w/special PG - $8.95." The item should have been listed as "882600 Prestige Booklet - $8.95."

• "882693 Prestige Booklet w/Full Pane stamp -$16.35." The item should have been listed as "882693 Prestige Booklet w/Full Pane stamp - $16.30."

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 4-29-04

CORRECTION

Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemorative Stamp

In the article "Stamp Announcement 04-08: Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemorative Stamp," in Postal Bulletin 22126 (4-15-04, page 105):

• The catalog item number 455993 (listed in the technical details table) incorrectly lists "455993 Full Pane w/FDC single -$8.15." The item should have been listed as "455993 Full Pane w/11 FDC -$15.65."

• In addition, a new catalog item (455992) has been added. The specifics of item 455992 are "455992 Full Pane w/1 FDC - $8.15."

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 4-29-04

Pictorial Cancellations Announcement

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

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

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

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

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

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 4-29-04

Post Offices

NOTICE

NALC and Postal Service Prepare To Help Stamp Out Hunger!

The National Association of Letter Carriers' (NALC) 12th annual Stamp Out Hunger! National Food Drive will take place Saturday, May 8. More than 229,000 city letter carriers throughout the nation will participate in the nation's largest one-day food drive. Approximately 587 million pounds of food has been collected and delivered to local food banks to help the hungry since the program's inception in 1993. Donations of nonperishable food items provide significant aid to local food banks and the people they serve. Many emergency food programs report that without the NALC Food Drive they would not have enough food to meet demand.

The 2004 NALC Food Drive is a joint effort of the NALC, U.S. Postal Service®, Campbell Soup Company, United Way, America's Second Harvest, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), and Valpak. In a recent letter to NALC President William Young, Postmaster General John Potter wrote, "Every year, this selfless act of charity demonstrates the compassion and generosity of Postal ServiceTM employees and customers in every community in the United States. The NALC Food Drive makes the difference for thousands of disadvantaged Americans, and the Postal Service is proud to be a partner in this wonderful activity."

Beginning May 3, city letter carriers in participating Post OfficesTM will receive postcard notices to distribute to customers. The notices request that customers leave nonperishable food items in a bag adjacent to their mail receptacle on May 8. Carriers will pick up the food donations and bring them to their Post Offices, and the donated food will be consolidated and delivered to local food banks in the area.

Offices may direct questions about participation in the food drive or how the food drive will be conducted to local or regional NALC officials. At nonparticipating Postal Service facilities, carriers should pick up donations found at customer mail receptacles where possible. If carriers are unable to pick up donations at nonparticipating facilities, they should notify the local NALC officials of the location of the donated items. Managers of Customer Service can assist NALC officials with making arrangements to collect donations and provide them to local food banks.

This annual effort to assist customers in providing donations of nonperishable food items to local food banks helps feed many hungry Americans.

For more details about the event visit the NALC Web site at www.nalc.org or get in touch with Drew von Bergen, national coordinator for the food drive, by telephone at 202-662-2489 or by e-mail at vonbergen@nalc.org.

- Community Relations,
Public Affairs and Communications, 4-29-04

Retail

HANDBOOK PO-102 REVISION

Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program

Effective April 29, 2004, the following revisions are made to Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program:

• Exhibit 451.2, Standard Servicing Frequencies, is revised to make the succession of servicing periods clear. The automated workload analysis available on the Vending Equipment and Services System (VESS) online site at http://vess.usps.gov (click Workload Analysis) already incorporates this change in its calculations.

• PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service - Daily Activity Log (page 2 of 2), dated October 2003, will be revised upon the next printing to provide a specific retention period for the form.

• Chapter 8 is revised to ensure that requests for vending reimbursements are valid and are handled with care to the customer. These changes (which are necessary to better protect the U.S. Postal Service® and its vending servicing employees) support a Standard Operating Procedure already put into practice by the Retail Operations office in Delivery and Retail.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of Handbook PO-102 and into the online update available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov; click on More References, then HBKs.

Handbook PO-102, Self Service Vending Operational and Marketing Program

* * * * *

4 Servicing Self Service Vending Equipment

* * * * *

45 Workload

451 Determining Frequencies

* * * * *

Exhibit 451.2 Standard Servicing Frequencies

[Revise Exhibit 451.2 to read as follows:]

Notes:

Shaded Areas on the chart are below minimum sales per month.

See Part 131 for the definition of each machine type.

¹ Each machine is required to generate a projected minimum amount of sales before it can be installed. The number of servicing per month is based on these projected sales. The minimum requirements for each machine are reflected in the above table. The term "BA" stands for "Bill Acceptor"

² MCMs (BA) are serviced at least five (5) times a month.

³ SCCs (Small Currency Changers): Since these do not generate sales, they do not appear on the chart. They need servicing only when required to keep them in operation (at least once (1) every two (2) weeks but not more than three (3) times per week).

* * * * *

6 Examining Self Service Vending Credit

61 Procedure

* * * * *

613 General

[Revise 613 to read as follows:]

PS Form 3293, Retail Vending Credit Examination, and PS Form 3294, Cash and Stamp Stock Count and Summary (Exhibits 612a, b, c, and d) are used when performing self service vending credit examinations. Servicing personnel workhours used during an audit must be recorded on PS Form 8130, Vending Equipment Sales and Service - Daily Activity Log (Exhibits 613a and b), dated October 2003. When completed, this form will remain on file in the location where VESS data entry was completed for the current U.S. Postal Service fiscal year plus one (1).

* * * * *

8 Handling Customer Complaints, Claims, and Reimbursements

81 Guidelines for Handling Complaints

811 General

[Revise 811 to read as follows:]

Customers may submit complaints, such as equipment malfunction, loss of money or stamps, or empty equipment, in person, by telephone, by mail, or by e-mail. Employees record complaints concerning vending reimbursements on PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request (Exhibit 811). PS Form 5445 is used to process and document the reimbursement process, provide a receipt to the customer, and provide written proof of the reimbursement itself for vending servicing employees. If the customer initiates a complaint in person, the customer must completely fill out and sign the unshaded portion of the form. If the customer makes the complaint by telephone, mail, or e-mail, the employee accepting the complaint fills out the unshaded portion of the form and signs in the "Sign Here" block.

In addition, customer vending complaints will come from the We Want to Know program (Notice 4314-C, We Want To Know). The WWTK program receives complaints, records them, documents their status, and processes them to specific locations for resolution. Customers can initiate complaints in person at the Post Office, by telephone at 800-ASK-USPS, or by visiting www.usps.com.

812 Vending Reimbursements - Guidelines for Recording Vending Reimbursements on PS Form 5445

* * * * *

812.1 Person Completing PS Form 5445 Completes Unshaded Portion

* * * * *

[Revise item i to read as follows:]

i. "Comments." (If the request is other than in person, note whether the request was by telephone, e-mail, or letter.)

* * * * *

82 Reimbursing Money to Customers

* * * * *

821 Complaints Registered in Person

* * * * *

821.2 Resolution

821.21 By Sales and Services Associate (SSA)

If the machine is not functioning properly, the SSA performs the following procedures:

* * * * *

[Revise item c to read as follows:]

c. Ask the customer to completely fill out the unshaded portion of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request (see Exhibit 811), in order to receive reimbursement.

* * * * *

[Add new item e as follows:]

e. Verify the information entered with the Customer ID and annotate in the Comments section of the form "ID Verified."

[Reletter existing items e-i as new items f-j.]

* * * * *

[Revise the last sentence in relettered item i to read as follows:]

i. *** The SSA may increase his or her cash retained by the collective amount of all PS Forms 5445 until vending servicing employee reimbursement occurs.

* * * * *

[Add the following Note after relettered item j:]

Note: In the above sequence of events, failure to ensure proper completion of the PS Form 5445 by the customer may lead to non-reimbursement from the vending servicing employee.

821.22 By Vending Servicing Employee

The vending servicing employee resolves the complaint as follows:

* * * * *

b. If the no-vend complaint cannot be verified, follow these procedures:

[Revise items b(1), b(3), and b(7) to read as follows:]

(1) Ask the customer to completely fill out the unshaded portion of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request (see Exhibit 811), in order to receive reimbursement.

* * * * *

(3) Verify the information entered with the Customer ID and annotate in the Comments section of the form "ID Verified."

* * * * *

(7) Retain the original (sales and services associate/vending employee copy) as a record of the transaction. PS Form 5445 is not included as part of the actual credit count, but as documentation of reimbursement activity.

[Add the following Note:]

Note: PS Forms 5445 that are not completed in full by customers being serviced by the SSA, may lead to non-acceptance and reimbursement from the vending servicing employee.

822 Complaints Registered by Telephone

822.1 Acceptance

The employee accepting the complaint does the following:

a. Record the complaint on the unshaded portion of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request (see Exhibit 811).

[Add item (1)as follows:]

Enter "Telephone Request" in the Comments section of the form.

* * * * *

822.2 Resolution

Upon receipt of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request, the vending servicing employee follows these procedures:

[Revise 822.2 items a-d to read as follows:]

a. Investigate the complaint as soon as possible.

b. Fill out and sign the shaded portion of PS Form 5445 ("For Postal Service Use").

c. Dispatch the vending reimbursement by purchasing a postal money order, together with sheet 2 (customer copy) of PS Form 5445, the next regular mail delivery day.

d. Retain the original (sales and services associate/vending employee copy). Staple the receipt for the postal money order to the Postal Service receipt to PS Form 5445. PS Form 5445 is not included as part of the actual credit count, but as documentation of reimbursement activity.

823 Complaints Registered by Mail

823.1 Acceptance

The employee accepting the complaint sent in the mail does the following:

a. Complete the unshaded portion of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request (see Exhibit 811).

[Add item (1) as follows:]

(1) Enter "Mail Request" or "e-Mail Request" in the Comments section of the form.

* * * * *

823.2 Resolution

823.21 By Servicing Person

* * * * *

[Revise 823.21, items ad as follows:]

a. Investigate the complaint as soon as possible.

b. Fill out and sign the shaded portion of PS Form 5445 ("For Postal Service Use").

c. Dispatch the vending reimbursement by purchasing a postal money order and sending it, together with sheet 2 (customer copy) of PS Form 5445, the next regular mail delivery day.

d. Retain the original (sales and services associate/vending employee copy). Staple the receipt for the postal money order to the Postal Service receipt to PS Form 5445. PS Form 5445 is not included as part of the actual credit count, but as documentation of reimbursement activity.

823.22 By Postmaster or Designee

[Revise 823.22 as follows:]

The postmaster or designee may answer a written complaint by telephone or in writing. If the complaint requires a reimbursement, the written response may include the reimbursement. The vending servicing employee will purchase a postal money order and will retain the original PS Form 5445 (sales and services associate/vending employee copy) to use as a receipt. Staple the receipt for the postal money order to the original PS Form 5445. PS Form 5445 is not included as part of the actual credit count, but as documentation of reimbursement activity.

* * * * *

84 Retaining Complaint Records

[Revise 84 to read as follows:]

The vending servicing person retains the completed originals (sales and services associate/vending employee copy) of PS Form 5445, Stamp Vending Machine Reimbursement Request. PS Form 5445 is not included as part of the actual credit count, but as documentation of reimbursement activity. The forms are attached to the credit examinations and retained for a period of 2 years.

Note: PS Forms 5445 shown in Part 821, Complaints Registered in Person, that are not completed in full by customers being serviced by the SSA, that are subsequently not accepted by the vending servicing employee, will be retained for a period of 2 years.

* * * * *

- Self Service and Access Management, Delivery and Retail, 4-29-04

FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS

New Rates and a Money Saving Special Make FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS Ring!

If your customers need an affordable way to stay in touch with family, friends, and associates around the country, suggest they try the FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD® offered by the U.S. Postal Service®. The FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD is a prepaid phone card that provides customers with a convenient, cost-effective method of making long-distance telephone calls - and with new lower rates, the cards are an even better value.

Available at more than 13,500 Post OfficeTM facilities across the country, the FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD makes a wonderful gift for family and friends. These cards are the perfect item to have around in case of emergency and are a terrific addition to student and summer camp care packages. And with new low prices and our Mother's Day recharge special, they are a great deal.

Here are more facts about FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS:

• Three new denominations of FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS are now available: 100, 250, or 450 minutes, at prices as low as 6.7 cents per minute.

• This spring, customers can save even more by recharging their FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD during our Mother's Day promotion. From May 5 to May 11, 2004, any customer who adds $30 or more to a FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD will receive an extra 100 minutes for free.

• The FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD is fully rechargeable at the same low rates. Users can add minutes by calling the 24-hour customer support line at 800-208-0267.

• Customers can also call the 24-hour customer support line at 800-208-0267 for assistance with general card usage, card recharging, and placing international calls.

• Customers can use FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS to place domestic-rate calls to or from anywhere in the United States, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam. They can also use the cards to place international-rate calls to or from more than 200 countries around the world. International availability and rates are subject to change.

• The "Salute to America" phone card series has been re-released at new, lower rates. These cards bear images of the U.S. Postal Service's most popular patriotic stamp designs - the American Flag, the Statue of Liberty, and the Capitol Dome.

• A special "Salute to America" sales promotion starts July 1, 2004. Customers purchasing any two "Salute to America" FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS will receive a coupon redeemable for a 3' x 5', indoor/outdoor American flag. The promotion will continue through October or while supplies last.

The FIRSTCLASS PHONECARD is another useful and convenient product from the U.S. Postal Service to meet the needs of customers. For more information on FIRSTCLASS PHONECARDS, call 800-ASK-USPS or visit your local Post Office facility.

- Implementation and Outreach,
Pricing and Classification, 4-29-04

New Automated Postal Center Indicia

The first Automated Postal Center (APC) was installed on April 14, 2004, in Dallas, Texas. We will continue installing APCs nationwide through November 2004. APCs produce small postage labels for letters and larger postage labels for flats and parcels. The APC postage indicium is similar - but not identical to - those on Click-N-Ship® labels and U.S. postage labels that can be purchased on eBay. All APC labels have an identifying number that begins with "1P" positioned under the postage amount and date of sale.

APC postage labels for flats and parcels include the following:

• Destination city, state, and ZIP CodeTM

• Destination barcode

• Mail class

• Customer name/address space

We will add the origin ZIP Code to the labels later this spring.

You can see examples of APC postage labels below or find them on the APC Web site. Go to http://apc/ and click on the APC Postage link. Post copies of these labels on Postal ServiceTM bulletin boards so that employees can become familiar with them.

Please ensure that your employees are aware of the APC postage labels now in use so that mail bearing this type of postage label does not encounter delays.

Please direct any questions you may have on the new indicia to Customer Service Systems Support via internal e-mail at APC Communications.

- Postage Technology Management,
Product Development, 4-29-04

Chief Marketing Officer's Growth Award - Updated Guidelines

The Marketing department continues to introduce new programs aimed at generating revenue, promoting products and services, and keeping customers informed about the Postal ServiceTM.

Along with the rollout of these new programs comes a continued commitment from Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Anita Bizzotto to ensure that postmasters, managers, and supervisors have the right information and tools at the right time to achieve success.

CMO Anita Bizzotto and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Pat Donahoe are committed to recognizing postmasters, managers, and supervisors who have contributed the most toward growing the business. That recognition comes in the form of Marketing's highest honor - the CMO's Growth Award, which was introduced at the beginning of fiscal year 2003.

The updated guidelines for participation include adjusted competitive levels within areas to reflect the addition of level EAS-16 postmaster positions to the competition.

Guidelines

What: The Growth Award, sponsored by the CMO, is nonmonetary recognition in the form of a specially designed trophy to honor outstanding marketing efforts. It is the highest marketing honor for postmasters, managers, and supervisors who are most successful in marketing and growth activities.

Who: The program is open to postmasters and executive and administrative schedule (EAS) managers/supervisors (nonpostmasters) in performance clusters. Account representatives, customer relations coordinators (CRCs), and Marketing staff members, either in the field or at Headquarters, are not eligible. Exceptions are those who are officially detailed into postmaster or customer service assignments, such as an officer-in-charge or an acting station manager. A postmaster who employs a CRC may, by marking the submission form, submit the CRC as a Growth Partner.

When: The calendar year for the Growth Award begins the first day of the fiscal year and ends the last day of the fiscal year. To compete for a Growth Award, participants must send a copy of the submission form, qualifying activities, and supporting documentation - such as published outreach articles and seminar participation - within 3 weeks of their occurrence to Headquarters Marketing at the address noted on the submission form. Headquarters Marketing will collect and combine each participant's submissions throughout the fiscal year to form a complete entry package. At the end of the fiscal year, participants must send a copy of the submission form and that fiscal year's revenue numbers as well as the revenue numbers from the previous fiscal year to Headquarters Marketing at the address noted on the submission form. Participants must obtain revenue numbers from official financial records.

Where: Marketing will announce the Growth Award winners at the legislative conferences sponsored by the National Association of Postmasters of the United States (NAPUS) and the National League of Postmasters of the United States (the League). Postmasters attending the legislative meetings will receive their awards at those events. For postmasters not attending those events and for EAS managers/supervisors who win in their categories, local managers will arrange appropriate ceremonies.

Why: The Postal Service is committed to building on current efforts to achieve growth through added value to customers, improved operational efficiency, and an enhanced performance-based culture. Postmasters and other field supervisors are the Postal Service's link to the Preferred segment (20 million small businesses around the nation) and the Household segment. The efforts of postmasters and supervisors are vital to the Postal Service's success, and this award recognizes their outstanding results.

How: There are six levels of competition within each area, and Headquarters Marketing determines winners using a cumulative point system within three growth categories - revenue generation, marketing initiatives, and marketing outreach. Participants receive points for documented activities important to the Postal Service's growth strategies. Headquarters Marketing will describe additional marketing initiatives throughout the year in official Postal Service and Marketing publications, and will provide participation ideas and instructions on how to document activities. Headquarters Marketing outlines the rules of the program and will monitor and verify documented points. To qualify for consideration, participants must meet minimum-point requirements and have at least one point in each growth category and must complete and submit a copy of the Growth Award submission form, which is available on page 39 in this Postal Bulletin. After the program ends each year, Headquarters Marketing will tally all the points for all participants and inform area vice presidents and district managers of the participants with the highest number of points. After district managers approve individual winners, Headquarters Marketing will notify those winners. Headquarters Marketing will evaluate the program each year and will outline any updates or changes to the program in the Postal Bulletin.

Competitive Levels Within Each Area

Growth Categories

The three growth categories are revenue generation, marketing initiatives, and marketing outreach. To be eligible, participants must have at least one point in each of these three broad categories.

Revenue Generation

• Maintain revenue level of the previous fiscal year = 1 point.

• Percentage of increased revenue - each percent of increase = 1 point.

• Increase in walk-in revenue (WIR) over same period last year (SPLY) - WIR per transaction, each percent of increase over last year's total = 1 point.

• WIR divided by LDC45 workhours improvement over previous year:

- If base is below 74%, each percentage of improvement = 1/2 point.

- If performance to goal is 75%-85%, each percentage of improvement = 1 point.

- If performance to goal is 86%-99%, each 1/2 percentage of improvement = 1 point

- If performance to goal is 100%, total points awarded = 10 points.

• Sale of Express Mail® Corporate Account (Express Mail and Global Express Mail®) - each account = 1 point.

• Participation in other revenue generation activities throughout the year, as described in Grow!, Postal Bulletin, or other official Postal Service publications - each activity = 1 point minimum, with bonus points possible.

Revenue points will be based on numbers shown on the FY printout. Participants must send a copy of the previous year's printout (i.e., FY03) and the current year's printout (i.e., FY04) together with one submission sheet.

Marketing Initiatives

• Promotion of Stamps by PhoneTM service and Stamps by Mail® service - each percentage of increase in revenue through these channels = 1 point.

• Increase in sales of packaging materials - each percentage of increase over previous year = 1 point.

• Revenue generated through the Inside Sales program:

- For levels 21 and below and for the nonpostmaster category, each $100 of revenue generated = 1 point.

- For levels 22 and above, each $500 of revenue generated = 1 point.

• Promotion of Click-N-Ship® service:

- For levels 20 and below and for the nonpostmaster category, each $100 over previous year's revenue = 1 point.

- For levels 21 and above, each $500 over previous year's revenue = 1 point.

• Maintain at least the national average in Mystery Shopper = 1 point.

• Participation in other marketing initiatives throughout the year as described in Grow!, Postal Bulletin, or other official Postal Service publications - each activity = 1 point minimum, with bonus points possible.

Marketing Outreach

• Newspaper articles (these articles are generated through the Marketing Outreach articles published by Headquarters Marketing for local use; along with the submission form, participants must send a copy of each article, and include the publication's name, location, and date) - each published article = 1 point.

• Headquarters Marketing-approved presentations made to the local business community - each presentation = 1 point.

• Results from promoting participation by local businesses in larger Marketing seminars or events, such as Small Business seminars, Direct Mail seminars, Postal Customer Council meetings, and National Postal Forum - each customer participating in each event = 1 point.

• Participation in Postal Customer Council (PCC) meetings - each meeting attended = 1 point.

• Tip of the Month published in Grow! - each tip published = 1 point.

• Participation in other marketing outreach activities throughout the year, as described in Grow!, Postal Bulletin, or other official Postal Service publications - each activity = 1 point minimum, with bonus points possible.

- Implementation and Outreach,
Pricing and Classification, 4-29-04

Supply Management

ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS

POW-MIA Flags

We're in the annual cycle of displaying the POW-MIA flag at Postal ServiceTM facilities on the following 6 specific days:

• Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May

• Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

• Flag Day, June 14

• Independence Day, July 4

• National POW-MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September

• Veterans Day, November 11

Note: If any of these days fall on a nonbusiness day, Postal Service facilities are required to display the POW-MIA flag on the last business day before the designated day.

The flag and its display at our facilities honor the sacrifices made by members of the armed forces held as prisoners of war or missing in action. Use the information below to order POW-MIA flags.

Ordering Instructions

In compliance with the law requiring the display of POW- MIA flags, the Material Distribution Center offers the following sizes of flags, which it orders from the General Services Administration.

Order a POW-MIA flag based on the size of your United States flag.

You can order a POW-MIA flag by Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE): Call 800-332-0317, select 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).

You also can order the POW-MIA flag through the Postal Products Unlimited, Inc., catalog on eBuy at http://ebuy.usps.gov/jsp/co/Login.jsp (URL is case-sensitive).

- Supply Management, 4-29-04

NOTICE

Interest Rate on Contract Claims

The Postal ServiceTM periodically publishes in the Postal Bulletin the interest rate payable on a claim decided in a supplier's favor, under the Contract Dispute Act of 1978. This rate also applies for late payments to suppliers under the Prompt Payment Act, as amended.

The interest rate effective for the 6-month period beginning January 1, 2004, and ending June 30, 2004, is 4 percent.

- Supply Management Infrastructure,
Supply Management, 4-29-04

Holiday Savings Continue

The Postal ServiceTM provides extra airlift to handle additional holiday/seasonal mail and packages each year, particularly to locations outside of the continental United States. For the third consecutive year, we bought fuel directly from major fuel providers and supplied it to our air carriers for the holiday season.

The fuel bill figures for the 2003 holiday season have been calculated and show that the Postal Service spent $3 million for commercial jet fuel - over $620,000 less than it would have spent using previous buying methods for this 2-week period. The Postal Service paid only $1.15 per gallon for the fuel.

The Postal Service competitively bid fueling services across the industry and put in place a system to track expenditures down to the penny. The proactive partnership among Supply Management, Network Operations, and Information Technology helped the Postal Service realize the savings.

The Postal Service was able to eliminate inefficiencies throughout the fuel supply chain by sharing usage information with selected suppliers, both within the supplier's operations and within the Postal Service.

- SCM Strategies,
Supply Management, 4-29-04

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