Effective October 15, 2015, the Postal Service™ is revising Handbook RE-1, Postal Service Facilities Guide to Real Property Acquisitions and Related Services, to include a new policy regarding donations to Postal Service facilities of displays, artwork, and physical improvements. The additional language provides points of contact for proposed donations from third parties to Postal Service facilities as well as a clear statement of policy regarding such donations. This policy does not apply to postings or displays subject to the approval of Retail Operations under the Postal Operations Manual, Handbook PO-209, Retail Operations Handbook, or the Retail Standardization Guidance.
Handbook RE-1, Postal Service Facilities Guide to Real Property Acquisitions and Related Services
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3 Acquisition of Real Property and Real Estate Services
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33 Methods of Acquisition
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[Add new part 334 to read as follows:]
334 Offers of Displays, Artwork, and Physical Improvements
334.1 Displays and Artwork
The Postal Service’s policy is to decline all offers, except those from the Federal government, for any type of donated displays and/or artwork, except as noted below. Examples include:
a. Monuments.
b. Statues.
c. Murals.
d. Paintings.
e. Mosaics.
f. Installations.
g. Live art.
h. Plaques and other markers.
i. Shadow boxes and mementos.
j. Any other decorative, commemorative, or honorific works.
This policy applies regardless of whether the offer is for the donation, loan, sale, or other provision of displays or artwork. Postal Service employees and contractors must direct all offers of displays and artwork by the United States government or its departments, agencies, or other instrumentalities to the Postal Service’s Federal Preservation Officer (FPO). All other such offers should be declined. This section does not apply to (1) any postings or displays provided by the Postal Service, or (2) the scheduled use postings and displays or the unscheduled use of bulletin boards, each of which is subject to the approval of Retail Operations under the Postal Operations Manual, section 125.35, Handbook PO-209, Retail Operations Handbook, and the Retail Standardization Guidance, all available at http://blue.usps.gov.
334.2 Physical Improvements
The Postal Service’s policy is to decline offers to donate any physical improvements, including, without limitation, exterior improvements, landscaping, additions, renovations, or maintenance services (individually and collectively, “Physical Improvements”) to Postal Service-owned and leased properties, if the maintenance and improvements being offered would have monetary value, as determined by the Postal Service. Active Postal Service employees wishing to donate Physical Improvements must obtain prior written approval from the manager, Facilities Real Estate and Assets. The receipt of donated Physical Improvements from active Postal Service employees is not authorized without such prior written approval.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of Handbook RE-1, Postal Service Facilities Guide to Real Property Acquisitions and Related Services, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n In the left-hand column under “Essential Links”, click PolicyNet.
n Click Hbks.
The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.
— Facilities, 10-15-15
