Effective August 23, 2012, the Postal Operations Manual (POM) is revised to include provisions on Remotely Managed Post Offices™ (RMPOs) and Part-Time Post Offices (PTPOs). These revisions implement changes to the hours of service and staffing for retail units previously classified as EAS Level 16 or below Post Offices.
Postal Operations Manual (POM)
1 Retail Management
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12 Retail Facility Management
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123 Post Offices, Stations, Branches, Contract Postal Units, and Nonpersonnel Units
123.1 Definitions and Classification
123.11 Post Offices
[Revise 123.11 as follows:]
Post Offices are established and maintained at locations deemed necessary to ensure that regular and effective postal services are available to all customers served by named geographic places.***
A Remotely Managed Post Office (RMPO) is a Post Office that offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee under the direction of a postmaster, and reports to an Administrative Post Office. A Part-Time Post Office (PTPO) is a Post Office that offers part-time window service hours, is staffed by a Postal Service employee, and reports to a district office. Unless otherwise specified, all references to “Post Office” include RMPOs and PTPOs.
[Revise the title of 123.12 as follows:]
123.12 Other Retail Units
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[Add new 123.122 and renumber current 123.122 through 123.127 as new 123.123 through 123.128 to read as follows:]
123.122 Post Offices
Post Offices are offices operated by postal employees.
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123.124 Stations
[Revise 123.124 as follows:]
Stations are located within the corporate limits or city carrier delivery area of the city or town in which the Administrative Post Office is located.
123.125 Branches
[Revise 123.125 as follows:]
Branches are located outside the corporate limits or city carrier delivery area of the city or town in which the Administrative Post Office is located.
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123.128 Nonpersonnel Units
[Revise 123.28 as follows:]
Nonpersonnel units are small nonstaffed stations and branches that are serviced by a noncity delivery carrier. The contractor also furnishes custodial and security support. A nonpersonnel unit provides essential mail services such as the collection and delivery of mail and may provide self-service sale of stamps. Noncity delivery carriers, who are required to remain at nonpersonnel units for a minimum of 15 minutes each day their routes operate, provide other services such as the sale of Money Orders and the acceptance and delivery of Certified Mail®, Insured Mail, Registered Mail™, Delivery Confirmation™, and COD Mail, and all other special services.
[Insert new 123.129 as follows:]
123.129 Village Post Offices
Village Post Offices are operated by local businesses, and offer stamp booklets and Priority Mail® Flat Rate packages and envelopes.
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123.2 Establishment
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123.22 Post Offices
[Revise 123.22 to read as follows:]
Although there is no fixed minimum population requirement for establishing a Post Office, new Post Offices are established only when the Postal Service cannot provide adequate service through the Post Offices, stations, branches, or CPUs currently serving the area; through a new station, branch, or CPU; or by an extension of city, rural, or highway contract delivery. Post Offices are not established solely for community identity. New offices must be recommended by the vice president, Area Operations, for final approval by the chief marketing/sales officer.
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123.24 Contract Units
123.242 Requirements
[Revise 123.242 as follows:]
Postmasters or installation managers identify the need and request approval to solicit contracts, evaluate business proposals submitted by offices, and supervise performance under any contracts.
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123.4 Names and ZIP Code Assignments and Changes
[Revise the title of 123.41 as follows:]
123.41 Postal Service–Operated Retail Facility Names
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[Revise items b and e in 123.413 as follows:]
123.413 Designations of Stations, Branches, Community Post Offices, and Other Named Postal Facilities
Community Post Offices, stations, branches, and other named postal facilities generally are given names recognized by the public that indicate their locations, using the following policies:
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b. Community Post Office (CPO) and Branch Designations. CPO and classified branch names are valid mailing addresses. Therefore, each CPO or classified branch must bear the name of the principal community it serves. There must be no duplication among CPO, classified branch, and Post Office names within a state. Each contract branch also must bear the name of the principal community it serves. Exceptions are historic sites, etc. (e.g., Grand Canyon Branch), which must be approved by the vice president, Area Operations.
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e. Facilities Named for Individuals. A postal facility may be named for an individual only with the approval of the Postmaster General and only if the individual has been deceased for at least 10 years, with the exception of former Postmaster Generals, former members of the Board of Governors, or deceased U.S. Presidents. Official commitments announced prior to the establishment of this regulation will be fulfilled. Occasionally, Congress honors an individual by passing a law naming a postal facility after that individual. For the procedures to be followed in such cases, see ASM 519.2.
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[Revise the title of 123.42 as follows:]
123.42 Contractor-Operated Retail Facilities
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126 Retail Services Management
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126.4 Retail Hours
126.41 General
[Revise 126.41as follows:]
The availability of retail services and lobby hours should reflect time periods that most appropriately meet the needs of the majority of customers in the local area. Stations and branches are not required to be open at the same scheduled hours as the main office. Stations and branches can adjust retail service hours to meet the needs of the local community. Units in suburban communities and/or large shopping centers may provide late evening service for customer convenience if approved by the district manager and area office.
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126.412 Saturdays
[Revise 126.412 as follows:]
Window service is provided on Saturdays if there is a demonstrated need; however, retail units offering Saturday delivery must continue to do so unless otherwise approved by Headquarters Retail Operations. At financial units serving business areas or facilities serving communities where residents leave on weekends, retail service may be closed if service is available at other postal units, at contract stations, or by self-service equipment. Postmasters must post signage informing customers of locations and hours of such services.
126.413 Sundays
[Revise 126.413 as follows:]
Window service is typically not provided on Sundays unless approved by the district manager and area vice president.
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126.42 Change in Retail Hours
[Revise 126.42 as follows:]
Except as provided below, permanent changes in the hours of operation must be approved by the district and area offices. Once approved, the area retail office must notify Headquarters Retail Operations of the change in hours of operation at a minimum of 30 days in advance of the change. The notification is performed via e-mail, using the “Notification of Proposed Change in Office Hours” located at http://blue.usps.gov/wps/portal/officehours.
Total daily hours of service for RMPOs and PTPOs on weekdays are determined by Headquarters Retail Operations. The actual hours of service each weekday and weekend are determined by district officials. Offices offering Saturday delivery must continue to do so unless otherwise approved by Headquarters Retail Operations.
The postmaster is responsible for informing customers 30 days in advance of any change in hours of operation by posting temporary signs on the entrance doors. These temporary signs should identify the nearest Post Office that can provide retail service outside of the new hours of operation. Offices must check with their district retail office for further information about appropriate temporary signage.
The postmaster must order a replacement for the mandatory “hours of operation” decal from the Direct Vendor Signage Catalog with sufficient time to receive the new decal prior to the change in hours. Apply the new decal to all entrance doors per the retail standardization guidelines.
The postmaster is also responsible for making changes to all databases containing unit hours of operation such as the facilities database. Review and update the lobby hours, window service hours, Express Mail acceptance times, and passport acceptance times as necessary.
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126.45 Self-Service Units
[Revise the first sentence of 126.45 as follows:]
Where criteria and approval for placement are met, Automated Postal Centers® may be placed in lobbies to reduce retail transactions and for postal customers’ convenience when retail service is not available.***
126.46 Consolidation of Retail Counter Service
[Revise 126.46 as follows:]
Consolidate retail windows and services so that the use of each retail service counter is maximized. Windows offering specialized services are opened only if conditions warrant and if approved by the district manager and area office. All approved specialized retail service counters must also offer stamps and postal stationery.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the POM and into the next online update, available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n On the PolicyNet page, click Manuals.
(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)
— Retail Operations,
Retail and Delivery, 8-23-12
