Effective October 1, 2007, the Postal Service™ will provide new Intelligent Mail® technology service options for participating Address Change Service (ACS™) mailers. In addition to traditional ACS options, mailers will be able to use OneCode ACS™ with Standard Mail® letters and flat-sized mailpieces. We are also extending OneCode ACS to add the Change Service Requested service option for First-Class Mail® letters.
These changes will be incorporated into Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®) 507.3 in our October update as noted below. Mailers are encouraged to make the related changes to their mailings as soon as possible.
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)
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500 Additional Mailing Services
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507 Mailer Services
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3.0 Address Correction Services
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3.2 Address Change Service (ACS)
3.2.1 Description
[Revise 3.2.1 to provide new options as follows:]
Address Change Service (ACS) is an automated or electronic process providing mailers with notices of address correction or reason for nondelivery. ACS is designed to reduce the volume of manual notifications provided for valid participating ACS mailpieces, but it does not completely eliminate manual notifications. Mailers must keep their address records in electronic format and mark or encode their mailpieces with the correct ACS symbology under 3.2 and the correct ancillary service endorsement under 1.5 to obtain address corrections. See 3.2.6 for an option to use OneCode ACS with an Intelligent Mail barcode for letters and flats in First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail. To obtain nondelivery information under 1.4.1, mailers must use an ACS keyline or an Intelligent Mail barcode on mailpieces. Mailers also can use traditional ACS, along with Shipper Paid Forwarding under 3.2.9, to pay forwarding postage on most Standard Mail and Package Services pieces. Mailers can find additional information about traditional ACS and OneCode ACS in Publication 8A, Address Change Service — Traditional, and Publication 8B, Address Change Service — OneCode ACS.
3.2.2 Service Options
[Revise 3.2.2 to add reference to flats, Periodicals, and Standard Mail as follows:]
ACS offers three levels of service, as follows:
a. An automated option for letters and flat-size mailpieces bearing an Intelligent Mail barcode, mailed as First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Periodicals, with electronic notices processed using Intelligent Mail technology (see 3.2.6). Only automated First-Class Mail and Standard Mail letters qualify for automated address correction rates when using the Intelligent Mail barcode (see 3.1.1).
b. An electronic option for notices processed electronically, except automated notices under 3.2.2a.
c. A default manual process for notices generated manually.
[Revise title and text of 3.2.3 to separate OneCode ACS from traditional ACS, as follows:]
3.2.3 Participant Code and Mailer ID
Participant codes or Mailer IDs are used on ACS mailpieces as follows:
a. Traditional Address Change Service (ACS) human-readable participant codes are provided to authorized mailers by the National Customer Support Center (NCSC) (see 608.8.0 for address). A participant code consists of seven alpha characters, aligned left, and must be preceded by a single pound sign (#) delimiter. Additional information for using the human-readable option is available in Publication 8A, Address Change Service — Traditional.
b. When using Intelligent Mail barcodes, mailers can participate in the OneCode ACS option of ACS (see 3.2.6 for restrictions). The NCSC provides the numeric OneCode ACS Mailer ID, the equivalent of a participant code, to authorized mailers using an Intelligent Mail barcode (see 708.4.3). As part of the application process, a Mailer ID is assigned to identify the participant, or mailers can choose to register one or more of their existing Mailer IDs for use with OneCode ACS. Mailers must incorporate the Mailer ID in the Mailer Identifier field, the unique mailpiece identifier in the Serial Number field, and the appropriate service in the Service Type Identifier field of the Intelligent Mail barcode according to Specification USPS B-3200. Customers can access the Intelligent Mail barcode specification at http://ribbs.usps.gov/OneCodeSOLUTION.
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3.2.6 Additional Standards—When Using Intelligent Mail Barcodes
[Revise 3.2.6 to add new OneCode ACS options as follows:]
Mailers can access OneCode ACS using an Intelligent Mail barcode, which is capable of encoding a valid Service Type Identifier indicating the ancillary service requested; a numeric Mailer ID; and the serial number, a unique numeric mailpiece identifier (keyline equivalent). This option is available for letters and flat-size mailpieces mailed as First-Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Periodicals. Address Service and Change Service ancillary services are available for letters and flat-sized mailpieces mailed as First-Class Mail or Standard Mail by choosing the appropriate Service Type Identifier and registering the same choice in the mailer profile maintained by the NCSC, ACS department. In order to receive requested information, mailers wishing to change their ancillary service choice or endorsement must notify the NCSC, ACS department in Memphis, TN, in writing, 7 days prior to the mailing. Periodicals mailers not requesting Address Service will receive their current address correction notification option. The Service Type Identifier will indicate the ancillary service requested, and this choice must be indicated in the mailer’s ACS profile maintained at the NCSC, ACS department. In order to receive requested information, mailers wishing to change their ancillary service endorsement must notify the NCSC, ACS department in Memphis, TN, in writing, 7 days prior to the mailing. Standard Mail pieces with OneCode ACS using an Intelligent Mail barcode require the use of a printed on–piece endorsement. ACS mailers are encouraged to use the “Electronic Service Requested” text endorsement. Other printed endorsements are not required to request ancillary services in conjunction with an Intelligent Mail barcode used on First-Class Mail or Periodicals mailpieces, and their use may produce unintended results. Mailpieces must meet the following specifications:
a. Letter-size mailpieces must be automation-compatible. The Intelligent Mail barcode must appear at the top of, or above, the address block.
b. Flat-size mailpieces may be mailed at nonautomation or automation rates. The Intelligent Mail barcode may appear anywhere a POSTNET barcode can be placed.
c. If using a window envelope, maintain a clearance between the leftmost and rightmost bars and any printing or window edge of at least 0.125 (1/8) inch, and maintain a clearance between the Intelligent Mail barcode and the top and bottom window edges of at least 0.040 (1/25) inch. These clearances must be maintained during the insert’s range of movement in the envelope.
d. The Intelligent Mail barcode must contain an 11-digit delivery point code that correctly corresponds to the delivery address.
e. The Intelligent Mail barcode must meet the technical specifications as described in 708.4.3 and USPS Specification USPS-B-3200.
3.2.7 Periodicals
[Revise 3.2.7 to add reference to mailer profile option as follows:]
Address correction by ACS is provided based on the mailer profile option chosen by participating Periodicals publications (including publications pending Periodicals authorization).
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the DMM and into the monthly update of the online DMM available via Postal Explorer® at http://pe.usps.com.
— Mailing Standards,
Pricing and Classification, 9-27-07
