mailing magazines, catalogs, and other flatsize pieces. Additionally, the Postal Service is developing a Web presence to promote certain aspects of mail order growth relating to catalog distribution on www.usps.com.

     Nearly 26 billion First-Class Mail and Standard Mail envelopes, circulars, and promotional mailings are processed by the Postal Service annually. Promotional pieces include such items as large brochures, flyers, bound and unbound sales and promotional literature, and other large direct mail solicitation mailings where size is used to garner impact and differentiation in the mailbox as well as convey large quantities of prospecting information. The Customized MarketMail (CMM) program is an example of the types of new programs the Postal Service is developing. Launched in August 2003, the CMM program allows unique and irregularlyshaped mailpieces of less than 1/4-inch thickness into the mailstream using drop shipment procedures to enter pieces directly to destinating delivery units — bypassing operations requiring rectangular piece design. It is a new way for mailers to add greater impact to their mailpieces to increase response rates. The Postal Service continues to examine new opportunities in preparation and make-up rules, rate incentives, and address quality initiatives within this category of mail.

     Special services add value in four primary ways:

• Provide security and accountability with a variety of services that permit customers to verify receipt and delivery of their mail, obtain signatures, insure mail contents, and register mail for additional security.
• Allow customers to track letters and flats.
• Provide convenience through Collect on Delivery (COD) services.

• Provide alternative ways and places to receive mail through the Post Office box service.

     The Postal Service is committed to leveraging technology to add value to its products and services. Certified MailTM and Registered MailTM services were enhanced to include electronic verification of the delivery status. Customers can now retrieve the delivery status of their Certified Mail and Registered Mail items over the Internet, by telephone, or by bulk electronic file transfer for large volumes of pieces.

     Plans are currently underway to leverage technology to enhance the Return Receipt service. The proposed Return Receipt service would offer small- and high-volume customers an electronic version of the existing hard copy Return Receipt (green card). Retail customers would have the option of purchasing the traditional hardcopy Return Receipt (green card) for $1.75, or an electronic version for $1.30. Large-volume customers would have the option of receiving their return receipts by electronic transmission or via CD-ROM.

     First-Class Mail and Standard Mail (letters) services have been further enhanced by the implementation of the new CONFIRM service, which provides customers with the ability to track their outgoing mail and incoming reply pieces. Full implementation of the CONFIRM system was completed in early 2003. CONFIRM information enables mailers to make better business decisions by knowing where their letters or flats are as they travel through the mailstream, and the time of delivery. The service provides mailers with near real-time information about First- Class Mail, Standard Mail, and Periodicals services by using PLANET barcode technology so mailers can uniquely identify their mailpieces. The program team is working with internal stakeholders and the mailing industry to make CONFIRM service more robust for mailers and the Postal Service. Enhancements include development of a certification program to improve the quality of data for performance measurement,Web site and Web-based Shared Reports used to report service performance information and