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Philately

STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 05-02

Marian Anderson Stamp

Stamp Announcement.

The Postal ServiceTM will issue a 37-cent Marian Anderson commemorative stamp in one design in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 458000), on January 27, 2005, in Washington, DC. The stamp, designed by Richard Sheaff of Scottsdale, Arizona, goes on sale nationwide January 28, 2005.

With this 28th stamp in the Black Heritage series, the Postal Service honors Marian Anderson, one of the greatest classicaly trained singers of the 20th century and an important figure in the struggle of Black Americans for racial equality. Singing a varied repertoire in her rich contralto, Anderson opened doors for other Black artists.

Issue: Marian Anderson
Item Number: 458000
Denomination &
Type of Issue:
37-cent Commemorative
Format: Pane of 20 (1 design)
Series: Black Heritage
Issue Date & City: January 27, 2005,
Washington, DC 20066
Designer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Engraver: Southern Graphics Systems
Artist: Albert Slark, Ajax,
Ontario, Canada
Art Director: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Typographer: Richard Sheaff, Scottsdale, AZ
Existing Photography: Moisé Benkow, Stockholm,
Sweden
Modeler: Donald Woo
Manufacturing Process: Gravure
Printer: Sennett Security Products (SSP)
Printed at: American Packaging Corporation,
Columbus, WI
Press Type: Ceruti, 950
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 150 million stamps
Paper Type: Phosphored tagged
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Processed at: Unique Binders,
Fredericksburg, VA
Colors: Magenta, Yellow, Cyan, Black
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.84 x 1.41 in./21.336 x 35.814 mm
Overall Size (w x h): 0.99 x 1.56 in./25.146 x 39.624 mm
Pane Size (w x h): 5.94 x 7.25 in./150.87 x 184.15 mm
Plate Size: 360 stamps per revolution
Plate Numbers: "S" followed by four (4) single digits
Marginal Markings: © 2004 USPS • Plate numbers in four corners • Plate position diagram • Price • Four barcodes on back of pane • Biographical text on back of stamp
Catalog Item Number(s): 458020 Block of 4 - $1.48
458030 Block of 10 - $3.70
458040 Full Pane of 20 - $7.40
458061 First Day Cover - $0.75
458076 Cultural Diary
Page/Illustrated Envelope Set -
$12.95
458093 Full Pane w/First Day
Cover - $8.15
458096 Cultural Diary (with
Pages and Stamps) - $34.95

The portrait featured on the stamp is an oil painting by Albert Slark of Ajax, Ontario, Canada. Slark based his painting on a black-and-white photograph believed to have been made by Moisé Benkow in Stockholm, Sweden, circa 1934.

How to Order the 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:

MARIAN ANDERSON STAMP
SPECIAL CANCELLATION UNIT
PO BOX 92282
WASHINGTON DC 20090-2282

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 February 26, 2005.

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 calling 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 two philatelic products for the Marian Anderson stamp:

• A $12.95 cultural diary insert card and illustrated envelope set featuring Marian Anderson, with stamp and mount and an illustrated envelope with the first day of issue postmark (Item 458076).

• A $34.95 cultural diary consisting of a beautifully illustrated binder designed to hold current and future insert cards of African-American stamp issues as well as personal notes (Item 458096). The initial product offering will include the binder, insert cards, stamps, and mounts for four African American issues from 2004 (Paul Robeson, Wilma Rudolph, James Baldwin, and Kwanzaa), as well as a companion notepad for recording personal thoughts.

Both philatelic products will be distributed in selected areas for postal retail stores.

Distribution: Item 458000, 37-cent Marian Anderson - Black Heritage Series Commemorative Stamp

Stamp distribution offices (SDOs) will receive their full 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 of a full standard automatic distribution quantity using PS Form 17, Stamp Requisition/Stamp Return. SDOs must not distribute stamps to Post Offices before January 21, 2005.

Philatelic Requirement

SDOs will not receive a separate quantity Item 458000 for their authorized philatelic centers. Philatelic centers must be supplied their quantities from the initial automatic distribution made to SDOs.

Additional Supply

Post Offices requiring additional stamps must requisition Item 458000 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 4,800,000 additional stamps; and the Denver APD will receive 1,600,000 additional stamps. For fulfilling supplemental orders from APDs, the Kansas City SSC will receive 24,000,000 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, 12-23-04

UPDATE TO STAMP ANNOUNCEMENT 05-01

Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheet

In the article "Stamp Announcement 05-01, Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheet" in Postal Bulletin 22143 (12-9-04, pages 59-60), the information for philatelic products was not available at the time of the printing of the Postal Bulletin. The philatelic products information is now available and is provided below.

Philatelic Product

The Lunar New Year Collection

A trifold folio collectible contains:

• The new 2005 issue double-sided pane of 24 stamps (12 designs with a face value of $8.88).

• A complete set of the 12 individual Lunar New Year stamps (face value $12.79) that were previously issued from 1992 through 2004 with corresponding mounts.

This product is being distributed to selected Postal ServiceTM retail stores and is available online at www.usps.com and by telephone at 800-STAMP-24.

The item number is 567088 and the price is $21.95.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 12-23-04

CORRECTION AND ADDITION

Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheet

In the article, "Stamp Announcement 05-01, Lunar New Year Souvenir Sheet" in Postal Bulletin 22143 (12-9-04, pages 59-60), the information listed in the technical details table incorrectly included an item and omitted an item.

Item to Remove

The following item should not have been listed in the technical details table: Item 567093, Full Pane w/FDC Set of 12, $17.88.

Item to Add

The following item should have been listed in the technical details table: Item 567099, Cancellation Keepsake (FP w/CC random single cover), $10.38.

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 12-23-04

NOTICE

Heroes of 2001 Semipostal Stamps Withdrawn From Regular Sale and From Sale at Philatelic Centers - Statutory Authority Expires December 31, 2004

Instructions

Heroes USA 2001 stamp

Effective close-of-business December 31, 2004, all Post OfficesTM, stations, branches, Postal ServiceTM stores, contract postal units, vending outlets, and authorized philatelic centers must (1) withdraw from sale the Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamps stock items, products, and their related vending and store-prepared stamp items listed in the table below, and (2) prepare them for destruction.

Submit items to destruction sites according to local established procedures, under the guidelines in Handbook F-1, Post Office Accounting Procedures, subchapter 45, Destroying Stamp Stock.

Also, all offices should remove any visible Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamp stock on display.

Absolutely no sales of the Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamps and products listed below are permitted at retail counters and outlets after December 31, 2004. The items listed below are also withdrawn from sale at Stamp Fulfillment Services and the online Postal Store.

Item Numbers Description
367400 $4.50 Heroes Semi-Postal 10 Pack
566000 45-cent Heroes Stamp
566015 $9 Heroes Full Stamp Pane
566064 45-cent Heroes First Day Cover
566093 $9.83 Heroes Full Pane with First Day Cover

- Stamp Services,
Government Relations, 12-23-04

Retail Point-of-Purchase Instructions

The retail counter point-of-purchase (POP) planogram, which was included in the Holiday POP kit, gives specific instructions on removing the Fundraising Stamps countercard from display on December 31, 2004, the last day of the Holiday '04 retail drive period. The countercard features the Heroes of 2001, the Breast Cancer Research, and the Stop Family Violence stamp images and is pictured below.

Fundraising stamps image

- Retail In-Store Programs,
In-Store Message Management, 12-23-04

Self-Service Vending Instructions

Effective immediately, self-service postal center (SSPC) technicians and personnel who service vending machines must, at their next regular servicing, remove all Heroes of 2001 semipostal stamps (Item 367400) from the vending machines. The task must be completed by close of business December 31, 2004.

Keep the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp (Item 367200) and the Stop Family Violence semipostal stamp (Item 367500) in vending machine slots, but replace the Heroes of 2001 stamp with another product. For the replacement product, insert the product's item number in the product selection window.

- Retail Service Equipment,
Delivery and Retail, 12-23-04

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.

The following cancellation has been extended for 30 days.

December 4, 2004

River Valley District Library

MAIN STREET STATION

POSTMASTER

PO BOX 9998

PORT BYRON IL 61275-9998

November 26-December 31, 2004
City of Bethlehem
CHRISTMAS OF BETHLEHEM STATION
POSTMASTER
535 WOOD ST
BETHLEHEM PA 18016-9998
November 26-December 31, 2004
City of Bethlehem
CHRISTMAS CITY STATION
POSTMASTER
535 WOOD ST
BETHLEHEM PA 18016-9998
December 1, 2004
Dana Thomas House
GREETINGS FROM LAWRENCE HOUSE SPRINGFIELD IL STATION
POSTMASTER
2105 E COOK ST
SPRINGFIELD IL 62703-9998
December 1, 2004-January 1, 2005
City of Allentown
LIGHTS IN THE PARKWAY STATION
POSTMASTER
442 W HAMILTON ST
ALLENTOWN PA 18101-9998
December 3, 2004
Postal Service
FAREWELL STATION
CRC
2600 ELTHAM AVE ST 109
NORFOLK VA 23513-2501
December 4, 2004
Village of Greenwich
FOR THE HOLIDAY STATION
POSTMASTER
39 MAIN ST
GREENWICH NY 12834-9998
December 4, 2004
Village of Seneca Falls
BEDFORD FALLS STATION
POSTMASTER
38 STATE ST
SENECA FALLS NY 13148-9998
December 4, 2004
FESTIVAL STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
ROSCOMMON MI 48653-9998
December 5, 2004
Troy Victorian Stroll Committee
TWENTY SECOND ANNUAL VICTORIAN STROLL STATION
POSTMASTER
400 BROADWAY
TROY NY 12180-9998
December 5, 2004
Village of Scotia
HOLIDAY OF THE AVENUE STATION
POSTMASTER
29 JAY ST
SCHENECTADY NY 12305-9998
December 9-11, 2004
Miflinburg Heritage Revitalization Association
CHRISTKINDL MARKET MIFLINBURG STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
MIFLINBURG PA 17844-9998
December 11, 2004
Old Tyme Christmas Committee
OLD TYME CHRISTMAS WEEDSPORT STATION
POSTMASTER
8942 N SENECA ST
WEEDSPORT NY 13166-9998
December 15, 2004
Postal Service
CLOUDSCAPE STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
BATTERY PARK VA 23304-9998
December 15, 2004
Postal Service
CLOUDSCAPE STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
BATTERY PARK VA 23304-9998
December 16, 2004
GENERAL MCAULIFFE NUTS STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
PIERMONT NY 10968-9998
December 16, 2004
GENERAL GEORGE S PATTON JR STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
WEST POINT NY 10996-9998
December 17, 2004
Knoxville Community Association
SPECIAL MOMENTS STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
KNOXVILLE PA 16928-9998
December 21, 2004
City of Portland
KWANZAA STATION
POSTMASTER
125 FOREST AVE
PORTLAND ME 04101-9998
December 24, 2004
Postal Service
CHRISTMAS CAROL STATION
POSTMASTER
101 N FOLGER
CARROLLTON MO 64633-9998
December 24, 2004
Panna Maria Historical Society
SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY STATION
POSTMASTER
13870 N FM 81
PANNA MARIA TX 78144-9998
December 25, 2004
TERQUASQUICENTENNIAL STATION
POSTMASTER
116 W MAIN ST
LEWISVILLE IN 47352-9998
December 30, 2004
Batsto Citizens Committee
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY STATION
POSTMASTER
114 S 3RD ST
HAMMONTON NJ 08037-9998
December 31, 2004
First Night Committee
FIRST NIGHT STATION
POSTMASTER
50001 COLONIE CENTER MALL
ALBANY NY 12205-9998
January 2-4, 2005
Postal Service
HOCKEY STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
GRAND FORKS ND 58201-9998
January 4, 2005
Illinois College
HILLTOP STATION
POSTMASTER
200 W COURT ST
JACKSONVILLE IL 62650-9998
January 5, 2005
Muskegon Stamp Club
MUSKEGON STAMP CLUB STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
MUSKEGON MI 49440-9998
January 5, 2005
LEWIS AND CLARK STATION
POSTMASTER
PO BOX 9998
WASHBURN ND 58577-9998

- Stamp Services, Government Relations, 12-23-04

Special Cancellation Die Hubs

Postmasters and plant managers who have any of the special cancellation die hubs listed below may use them for the periods designated. At the end of the period, these die hubs must be withdrawn and stored. Postmasters and plant managers who do not have these special die hubs may not request them from the sponsors.
Cancellation Period of Use
Use Christmas Seals, Support Your Lung Association Nov. 8-Dec. 31
Autistic Children, Hope Through Research and Education Dec. 1-Dec. 31
- Mailing Standards, Pricing and Classification, 12-23-04


Post Offices

HANDBOOK PO-701 REVISION

Warranty Claims and Defect Reports

Effective December 23, 2004, chapter 6 in Handbook PO-701, Fleet Management, is revised in its entirety to reflect current information.

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of Handbook PO-701 and also into the online version of Handbook PO-701 available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Click on HBKs.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

Handbook PO-701, Fleet Management

* * * * *

6 Warranty Claims and Defect Reports

[Revise chapter 6 in its entirety to read as follows:]

61 General

611 Warranty Recovery Program

Documentation and recovery of warranted parts, materials, and labor is essential to minimizing fleet costs and to promptly identifying potentially adverse maintenance issues and trends. VMF managers and vehicle post office (VPO) postmasters and managers are responsible for maintaining aggressive warranty recovery programs.

612 Warranty Information

Manufacturer-specific warranty information and claim procedures for new mail-hauling vehicles are published in a Postal Service Vehicle Maintenance Bulletin (VMB) on or about the time of vehicle delivery. Vehicle suppliers and repair parts consignment suppliers may provide warranty procedure manuals, service bulletins, or Web-based systems containing detailed instructions on the disposition of warranty claims and the handling of defective parts. If suppliers provide files electronically to the Postal Service, the information must be in "read-only" format and may not be installed onto Postal Service computer workstations.

613 Warranty Labor Recovery Rate

For repairs performed by the VMF, use the labor rate for warranty reimbursement most recently published in a VMB. This rate includes both direct personnel and related overhead costs.

Note: If a particular vehicle contract establishes manufacturer-specific labor claim rates, the VMB will publish this information.

62 Options and Methods for Warranty Repair and Recovery

621 Repair by a Dealership or Commercial Repair Facility

A dealership or other commercial repair facility authorized by the manufacturer may perform repairs with no warranty recovery action required by the VMF, as long as this method does not create excessive additional costs or adverse operational impacts, such as shuttle costs or excessive downtime. When a manufacturer or dealer makes repairs, obtain a copy of the repair order, no-charge invoice, or other form of documentation and place it in the VMF vehicle jacket for reference.

622 Repair and Recovery by a VMF

When economically feasible and most advantageous to the Postal Service, the VMF should provide the labor for making minor repairs and replacing parts. If the VMF has a bill- back agreement with the manufacturer, code work orders to bill the manufacturer to avoid the cost and delay involved in shuttling the vehicle to and from the authorized dealer. However, this procedure does not preclude the VMF from the requirement of preparing and submitting PS Form 4528, Vehicle Defect or Deficiency Report, nor does it preclude the VMF from fully using the dealer when that use is economically feasible.

Before repairing major components such as engines and transmissions, the VMF might have to receive authorization from the manufacturer. Consult manufacturer warranty manuals and service bulletins to ensure that VMF personnel follow proper procedures. Be aware of extended warranty provisions, such as those covering emissions systems. After completing an in-house repair, process the claim utilizing the manufacturer's claim submission system (e.g., online, fax, manual, or other method as specified by the manufacturer). Be aware of time limits for individual claim submissions, in addition to the manufacturer's warranty coverage period (such as 3 years/36,000 miles). Ensure timely submission of claims, regardless of their dollar amount.

Manufacturers typically reimburse VMFs for accepted warranty claims by making bulk payments. Upon receipt of a warranty check from the manufacturer, the VMF must process the check as follows:

a. In all cases, record the check under General Ledger Account (GLA) 52951.

b. If the VMF sends the check to the Eagan Service Center, record the check under Account Identifier Code (AIC) 000.

c. If the VMF deposits the check at a Postal Service retail window, record the check under AIC 168.

The Postal Service will receive a credit to budget line 3A Supplies/Services, Expenses/Reductions. Since VMFs are not established as revenue-generating sites, the credits will usually be reflected in the district or postmaster's finance number. The credit also appears under account code 46 on AEH600P1, VMAS Mainframe Cost Report in Dollars. District VMF reports reflect the summed warranty recoveries from all VMFs within the district. Nondistrict VMF reports reflect the individual VMF's recoveries. Each VMF must maintain a master file of claims and supporting documentation, including reimbursement deposit receipts and/or reports.

623 Repair by VMF, With Commercial Recovery Service

VMFs can also recover repair costs by using a commercial warranty recovery service, which is a fee-for-service option (the fee is typically 8 to 10 percent of the claim value).

To facilitate the commercial warranty recovery service option, the Philadelphia Vehicles Category Management Center (Vehicles CMC) may establish national ordering agreements (NOAs). For information on authorized warranty recovery NOAs and their associated terms and procedures, access the Vehicles CMC Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/material/pmsc/philadelphia/dlphi.htm; click on National Ordering Agreements & Contracts.

Typically, a warranty recovery service analyzes copies of vehicle maintenance work orders submitted by a VMF, logs claims, and submits the claims to the manufacturer for payment. The service provider sends the VMF copies of all claims submitted, accepted, and rejected, and issues bulk warranty reimbursements to the VMF. The VMF processes the payments, maintains a master file of claims (as described in part 622), and makes fee payments to the recovery service provider using the IMPAC expense card, unless another method is identified by NOA terms.

Note: VMFs may not use the IMPAC repair parts or Voyager commercial cards for fee payments to warranty recovery service providers.

624 Replacement Parts From Stock

When using replacement parts from stock to repair a vehicle warranty item, issue the part from inventory to the correct vehicle via PS Form 4543, Vehicle Maintenance Work Order, under account code 45. Follow the manufacturer's current warranty procedures.

625 Warranty Parts for Vehicles Out of Warranty

Parts suppliers typically issue credit invoices for warrantable parts that fail on vehicles that are out of warranty. Check with the individual NOA supplier for its policy on failed parts retention and return.

When it receives parts credit invoices from NOA suppliers, the VMF must certify the invoices, retain a copy of each invoice, and forward the original invoices to the San Mateo Accounting Service Center, Accounts Payable Section. Each invoice must include the NOA number, supplier's tax identification number, and VMF finance number. When the San Mateo Accounting Service Center processes the credit invoices, the recorded finance number receives a credit for line 3H, Vehicle Maintenance, in GLAs 14351.042 and 84351.007. A debit is posted to GLAs 84351.008 and 23439.000.

63 Refusal or Delay of Warranty Service

If a warranty service provider refuses or disputes a claim, submit a written report to the following address:

DELIVERY VEHICLE OPERATIONS
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 7142
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2817

Include the following information:

a. Date vehicle was placed in service.

b. Vehicle number.

c. Name of authorized dealer.

d. Name, title, and telephone number of the individual who refused to provide service.

e. Nature of defects and reason for refusal.

f. Mileage at the time of the failure.

g. Current mileage.

Send a copy of the written report to the area vehicle maintenance staff.

64 Reporting Vehicle Defects or Deficiencies

641 Routine Defects

For vehicles under warranty, immediately report structural or mechanical defects that are not caused by normal wear and tear and that require repair and replacement parts. Use PS Form 4528, Vehicle Defect or Deficiency Report. List each failure in detail. Provide the manufacturer's name or the trademark of the parts involved for reference to the manufacturer.

642 Urgent Defects

For a defect constituting a serious safety issue (e.g., wheel spindle crack, rubbing brake hose, ruptured vehicle tires, etc.), immediately report the defect to Headquarters Delivery Vehicle Operations at 202-268-3836 and also notify the area vehicle maintenance staff by telephone or e-mail. Include the following information:

a. Vehicle number.

b. Date of failure.

c. Type of failure, including a concise statement describing the failure.

d. Any accident or injury that occurred due to the failure.

e. Mileage at the time of the failure.

f. Current mileage.

g. Present location of the vehicle.

Confirm reported information by submitting PS Form 4528.

65 Adjustments, Repairs, and Defects Not Covered by Warranty

651 Adjustments and Repairs

Normal adjustments or repairs - such as brake lining wear, toe-in, oil, oil filters, antifreeze, and spark plugs - are not usually within the scope of warranty terms. Therefore, for these types of repair actions, do not submit a warranty claim unless there are some very unusual circumstances and the contractor has provided a prior authorization number.

652 Defects

PS Form 4528, Vehicle Defect or Deficiency Report, is not limited to new vehicles. Use this form whenever premature failure of a part, component, or assembly requires replacement prior to normal life expectancy.

* * * * *

- Delivery Vehicle Operations,
Delivery and Retail, 12-23-04

MOVER'S GUIDE NEWS

January 2005 Mover's Guide Now Available

The January 2005 issue of Publication 75, Mover's Guide, will be arriving at your facility, packed in boxes of 300, 200, and 100.

We print and distribute Mover's Guide three times per year - in April, August, and December. To order up to 100 additional copies, please call 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 the January 2005 issue of Mover's Guide:

PSIN: PUB 75
PSN: 7610-03-000-4795
Unit of Measure: EA
Minimum Order Quantity: N/A
Bulk Pack Quantity: 100
Quick Pick Number: 441
Price: N/A
Edition Date: 01/05

If you need more than 100 copies, or if you have other questions regarding Mover's Guide, please call Imagitas directly at 800-816-6837.

Do not start using this edition until January 1, 2005, unless your current stock of this item has been depleted. After January 1, 2005, you must recycle all copies of any older versions of Mover's Guide remaining at your facility.

Please keep track of your inventory. Businesses and other organizations must purchase Mover's Guide and can obtain order forms by calling Imagitas at 800-816-6837. Remember, consumers can visit www.usps.com and select Change Address to change their address online.

- Address Management,
Intelligent Mail and Address Quality, 12-23-04

2004 IRS Tax Packages

On December 27, 2004, contract mailers for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin mailing approximately 46.5 million tax-related items to individual households for tax year 2004. This total includes approximately 29 million individual tax packages. The remaining quantity consists of approximately 9 million self-mailers that promote electronic filing and a standard letter-size mailing of approximately 8.5 million pieces. These figures continue the trend of fewer mailings from year to year - the IRS has reduced the number of tax packages it mails to individual households as more taxpayers transition from filing paper tax returns to filing electronically.

All mail should be entered by mid-January 2005. Postage will be paid through IRS Permit Imprint Number G-48. Tax packages for Hawaii will be shipped by air. Tax packages for Alaska and Puerto Rico will be shipped by boat.

Acceptance Offices

Contract mailers for the IRS will prepare tax packages for mailing at the Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route rates. Acceptance office employees must verify that mailings meet all preparation and marking requirements in the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®).

Acceptance office employees must verify that tax package mailings are prepared according to presort requirements for Standard Mail Enhanced Carrier Route mailings. Acceptance office employees must verify the mailings according to standard acceptance procedures, including those appropriate to optional procedure systems for those mailers previously authorized. Postal ServiceTM verification ensures that the rates and piece counts reported on the postage statements are accurate and that the IRS has paid the correct postage.

Destination Offices

Contract mailers will deliver the mail to plants according to scheduled appointment dates recorded in the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST) system and will also provide a PS Form 8125, Plant-Verified Drop Shipment (PVDS) Verification and Clearance. Plant personnel must verify trailer contents with mailer information recorded on PS Form 8125.

Crossdock Pallets: Bulk Mail Centers (BMCs) and Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DCs) will receive pallets labeled to 5-digit, 3-digit, and sectional center facility (SCF) destinations. Keep the pallets intact and dispatch them to the appropriate destination.

BMC Working Pallets: Upon receiving working pallets, Operations employees will break open the pallets for distribution of the contents. The destination for each package, sack, or tray is on the label. Dispatch the packages, sacks, and trays to the destination facilities for distribution to the delivery units.

Delivery Offices

Deliver tax packages upon receipt.

Errors and Irregularities

Delivery office personnel should be alert to errors in preparation and marking requirements. When carrier route presort errors exceed the 5-percent allowance, deliver the mail and use established reporting procedures to report errors to the following address:

MANAGER REVENUE AND FIELD ACCOUNTING
ATTN IRS FORMS TAX PACKAGE 2004
US POSTAL SERVICE
475 L'ENFANT PLZ SW RM 8831
WASHINGTON DC 20260-5242

Undeliverable Tax Packages

The tax packages do not include ancillary service endorsements. Therefore, no tax package is eligible for forwarding or return services.

Treat all undeliverable forms as waste - do not place them in Postal Service lobbies for any reason.

- Capital Metro Sales,
Sales, 12-23-04


Retail

CORRECTION

Stamps by Mail Print Schedule for 2005

In the article "Stamps by Mail Brochure Ordering Information and Print Schedule for 2005," in Postal Bulletin 22143 (12-9-04, pages 71-72), the print schedule incorrectly lists the January deadline as January 2, 2005.

The correct date is January 12.

- Retail Marketing,
Service and Market Development, 12-23-04


Supply Management

CORRECTION

Redistributing and Ordering Rotary Locks

In the article titled "Redistributing and Ordering Rotary Locks" in Postal Bulletin 22124, (11-11-04, page 87) we inadvertently attached an incorrect list of area registered mail coordinators.

Attached is the corrected list of coordinators.

Area Registered Mail Coordinators

Area Registered Mail Coordinator Telephone
Capitol Metro George (Eddie) E. Martin 301-618-4409
Eastern James D. Adams 412-494-2617
Great Lakes Cornealus Owens 630-539-4727
New York Metro Richard F. Miller 646-473-3742
Northeast David J. McClelland 860-285-7330
Pacific David A. Minshew
Carol G. Ziegler
510-292-2463
510-292-2460
Southeast Daniel G. Slattery 901-747-7416
Southwest Dwayne D. Lee 214-819-8840
Western George P. Medina 303-313-5167

- SCM Strategies, Supply Management, 12-23-04

NOTICE

Renting Custodial Items

Since October 25, 2004, Postal ServiceTM employees who rent custodial items should have begun directing all inquiries unresolved by their selected supplier's local office to Topeka Materials Customer Service at 800-332-0317, option 4.

Material Logistics Bulletin MLB-CO-03-002 has been updated to include this change along with several other additions and/or modifications and can be accessed at http://blue.usps.gov/purchase/operations/ops_mlb2003.htm. If you do not have access to a computer, you can get a copy of the MLB by calling the MDC at 800-332-0317, option 2.

Two other important changes that all Postal Service locations should address as soon as possible are the following:

• Minimum order quantities

The Postal Service considers its contracts with Cintas and UniFirst as partnerships; therefore, Postal Service clients must work with their selected suppliers to the greatest extent possible and avoid undue financial hardship by eliminating unreasonable requests.

Due to the increased cost of gasoline, it is economically unfeasible for our suppliers to provide service to current Postal Service clients (or to add new clients) with orders of less than $12.00 per delivery. Therefore, all Postal Service clients with orders of less than $12.00 (weekly, biweekly, or monthly) should re- evaluate their requirements with their selected supplier and develop a more cost-effective approach that changes the items delivered and the frequency of delivery, then enter a new eBuy order that reflects these changes. If the location requires special considerations, contact the custodial products team via e-mail at Help Custodial.

• Renewing eBuy orders

Many eBuy orders have expired or are close to expiration. It is the responsibility of the employees of each Postal Service facility to monitor their eBuy order quantities for custodial rental items by reconciling their Billing Summary Report to their delivery tickets every month. Facilities must monitor each line item to assure that there are sufficient quantities to cover future invoices.

When your selected supplier advises your facility that a new eBuy order is needed, you must check eBuy status to determine which line items are depleted. You must enter a new eBuy order immediately if the status line shows that an item is closed or cancelled.

If you have questions about your existing order, contact Cintas at 800-795-7368 or UniFirst at 800-480-5432.

- SCM Strategies,
Supply Management, 12-23-04

If the weather is bad, be extra creful. Tips for preventing slips, trips, and falls. A D-Link is provided.
[D-Link]

 

Postal Bulletin Back Cover. Open Season ends 5 p.m. Central TIme, Dec. 31. Call 1-800-842-2026 for more details about FSAs. Dial PostalEASE at 1-877-477-3273 to enroll.