Postal Affairs Blog

The Postmaster General / CEO John E Potter has made a request to the “Hill” today 01/28/09. It is believed (by industry) to be an attempt to avoid the alternative of requesting an exigent rate case increase over and above the CPI statutory price – rate increase permitted by law. 

This is the document from the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services and International Security of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, US Senate, January 28, 2009. 

Access the document   http://nasml.com/Documents/PMG_Testimony_1-28-09.pdf

Norine Butte, Sr. Manager Marketing – Communications

Please find attached information about the USPS INTELLIGENT MAIL University if 2009 which is being presented this coming February and March by the National Postal Forum. 

If you don’t already know what you should be doing for USPS Intellligent Mail Full Service, coming effective on May 18th, 2009, then you need to send you and your critical staff to the USPS Intelligent Mail University.

Do not have the mind set ”Do As We Have Always Have Done” You may very well end up having to close your doors!

The locations include Addison, IL, Los Angeles, CA, Atlanta, GA and New York, NY. 

Each full day session will feature expert Intelligent Mail speakers from the United States Postal Service®.  Registration, cost and contact information is provided in the attachment.

http://nasml.com/USPSINTELLIGENTMAILUNIVERSITY.aspx

The DFW Mailers Association and (NASML) National Alliance of Standard Mailers & Logistics (A USPS® MTAC Association Member) announces Ms. Rose Flanagan, Director Postal Operations Transcontinental Direct and a MTAC Representative as the evenings speaker on Tuesday, February 3, 2009.

Presentation and open discussion with USPS Management from SW Area, Dallas and Fort Worth Districts on the recent Federal Register notices:  Booklet and Self Mailer Proposal (which will be closed); the New Standards for Domestic Mailing Service (which will be open for comment – we need everyone to understand and push comments) and the Dead USPS Form PS 6014.

A working dinner – Space limited – RSVP Today!

Please contact Mr. Rusty Helsley for the location in Dallas Texas and your RSVP. rhelsley@helsleymailingsupply.com

BY RSVP IN ADVANCE ONLY!  Cost per person $30.00.

***The DFW Mailers Association is a coalition member of NASML and has been in existence for over 25 years. It is the only known group in the country consisting of a wide selection of industry companies, principals and senior management who meet on a monthly basis, (over dinner), to review, discuss, and assimilate systemic industry and USPS issues, challenges, and suggestions.

***Save the Date*** Tuesday, March 3, 2008 meeting.

Mr. Jeffery Peoples, Founder and CEO of WindowBook, Inc. Jeff’s presentation titled “How to Fuel your Business Growth with Mail.dat” will be a very timely presentation with the industry and economic challenges we all face today.

Mr. Peoples, a Business Partner with the Mailing Community and USPS® since 1989. He created the first online USPS DMM and the initial program designer of USPS Postal Explorer. Jeff is a nationally recognized industry educator and speaker, approved with the USPS HDQ National PCC Speakers Bureau, NPF, MFSA, MailCom, OnDemand, DMA, GraphExpo, DM Days and other industry conferences. Jeff has directly guided over 6,690 industry businesses and consultants to work within the USPS guidelines and achieve in excess of $17,500,000,000 (Billion) in postage savings.

Norine Butte, Sr. Manager Marketing and Communications WindowBook, Inc. and Founding President NASML.

http://www.windowbook.com

http://www.nasml.com

The USPS Publication 8B, the OneCode ACS Technical Guide, has been updated at the USPS RIBBS site.

http://ribbs.usps.gov/acs/documents/tech_guides/PUB8B.pdf

Consumer Price Index Update

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) was updated. Customers who would like an indication of the potential average price change for our mailing services can refer to the Postal Regulatory Commission’s Web site (prc.gov), which provides the most current price cap. December value of 3.8% will be the cap value for any pricing adjustments. The current calculation uses CPI data through December. Mailing services price adjustments in May will likely reflect CPI data through December. 

We’ll announce the new prices for mailing services, including stamp prices, in February. Watch the DMM Advisory to stay informed.

http://www.prc.gov/PRC-DOCS/home/CPI.pdf

 dmmadvisory@usps.com

The MTAC workgroup has NOT been finalized yet, but this is the statement to date:  There maybe changes with the final meeting!!!

As expected the Postal Service has determined that PS Form 6014 is not to be considered an official USPS document and will neither be requested nor recognized as evidence of Move Update compliance. The form has already been pulled from the USPS WEB Sites and the Postal Service will, within the next two weeks, notify the all BMEU’s and DMU clerks that there shall be no such thing as a 6014 form and they should not ask for one nor hold anyone responsible for not having one.

Further, the USPS confirmed its position that Move Update verification will be used to determine Move Update Compliance and that any failures will be treated just like any other verification detected errors/failures such as presort or barcode errors.  The presenter will have the same options available to them as will any other failure.  The presenter can opt to take the mail back and fix it, or pay the additional postage.  The presenter will have the option to appeal either before mailing or pay the higher rate and appeal after.  The appeal process will be similar to the appeal process presently in place for MERLIN failures.

Postal management holds the view that the form was never intended to serve as a transfer of liability from the entity paying the postage and it is that entity that will be held accountable for any deficiencies. In spite of recent postal documentation that suggests the contrary, the USPS’ position is that the 6014′s only purpose was to serve as a uniform agreement between mail preparers and their clients for the sole purpose of assisting the preparer collect any additional postage assessments from the client. That is, it was intended as an agreement between the preparer and the client and did not in any way change the obligations between the postage payer and the USPS.

An advance copy of the Federal Register notice proposing new mailing standards to support the upcoming May 2009 Mailing Services price change is available on Postal Explorer at pe.usps.com. http://pe.usps.com/May2009_Domestic_Mailing_Svcs.pdf

The proposed standards include:

• Several mail classification changes
• Modifications to mailpiece characteristics
• Changes in classification terminology To share proposed modifications to mailing standards as far in advance as possible, additional proposed revisions scheduled for 2010 are also included.

We invite comments on our proposal. We will use the DMM Advisory to let you know when the notice appears in the Federal Register.

http://www.windowbook.com/PostalInfo/FederalRegisterFeedback/FedRegFeedback.aspx

January 22, 2009, Cambridge, MA

On January 14^th the USPS has recertified Window Book’s mailing software, DAT-MAIL and Post Master, for their Postage Statement Facsimiles in PAVE Cycle J.

Mailers can use DAT-MAIL and Post Master to easily generate Postage Statements for Periodicals, First-Class, Standard Mail, Package Services, International Mail, and Drop Shipment (3541, 3600-R, 3602-N, 3602-R, 3602-C, 3605, 3700, and 8125s) and other USPS forms.

“Our Postage Statements are in a concise format so mailers use less paper to print the same form. They are easier to read without printing zero pieces for all the possible mail rates in a USPS version of the forms. DAT-MAIL enables mailers to save money by reducing the amount of paper they print and reducing their paper storage costs.  You can generate Postage Statements with only the mailing rates claimed – as opposed to the full multi-page USPS statements, which can take many more pages for the same mailing,” said Jeff Peoples, Window Book’s CEO.

About PAVE:  The PAVE (Presort Accuracy, Validation, and Evaluation) program is a process designed in cooperation with the mailing industry to evaluate presort software and determine its accuracy in sorting address files according to Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) standards.

Many mailers already have the Mailer ID(s) they need, but if you do not, now is the time to get them.

http://e2ma.net/go/1659710674/1506688/54752111/goto:http://www.Mailersid.com is a really simple to use site, that doesn’t cost anything, that explains what you need to know about getting Mailer IDs and automatically fills in the application forms, so you can print and submit to the USPS.

As you may know, the Mailer ID is a unique 6 or 9 digit code issued by the Postal Service. It is required in all Intelligent Mail barcodes and is used by the Postal Service to identify the Mail Owners and /or Mailing Agents. You can lean more at http://e2ma.net/go/1659710674/1506688/54752112/goto:http://www.Mailersid.com.

Save time and easily apply for your Mailer ID now
In effort to help mailers get their Mailer ID, Window Book has set up a F R E E website that helps you or anyone you know in the industry apply for USPS Mailer ID(s). It is a F R E E, time-saving online automated application form filler that you can use to easily print the application for Mailer IDs (MID). Simply enter your basic information and print all the forms and instructions needed in a professional manner.

Share this e-mail
Please feel free to forward this e-mail to your colleagues so they can learn and simply Apply for USPS Mailer ID Today!

Your partners and associates may need to apply for MIDs. They will appreciate that you have pointed http://e2ma.net/go/1659710674/1506688/54752118/goto:http://www.Mailersid.com out to them. It will definitely help them save time to get the MIDs they need to participate in Intelligent Mail Full Service.

Sincerely,

J. Jeffery Peoples
CEO and Founder
Window Book, Inc.

[Federal Register: January 16, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 11)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 2866-2867]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16ja09-22]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

New Automation Requirements for Detached Addressed Labels
AGENCY: Postal Service\TM\.
ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: To make Detached Address Labels (DALs) accompanying saturation
mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail[reg] flats more compatible
with our processing equipment, they must be automation-compatible and
have a correct delivery point POSTNET(tm) barcode or Intelligent
Mail[reg] barcode with an 11-digit routing code. This requirement does
not apply to DALs with simplified addresses. Also, for consistency, we
are requiring return addresses on DALs.

DATES: Effective Date: March 2, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Grein at 202-268-8411.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 27, 2008, we published a proposed
rule in the Federal Register (Volume 73, Number 167, pages 50584-
50585), requiring DALs to be automation-compatible and bear a delivery
point barcode when used with saturation mailings of Periodicals or
Standard Mail flats.
    Except for DALs prepared with simplified addresses, all DALs
accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats
must be automation-compatible and have a correct delivery point POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode with an 11-digit routing code.
Automation-compatible and barcoded DALs may be processed in a manner
that is more consistent with today's operating environment.
    We suggest that mailers work with the local Postal Service
mailpiece design analyst (MDA) to ensure that all DALs accompanying
saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats meet the new
standards. Saturation flats mailings presented with DALs that are not
automation-compatible and barcoded will not qualify for saturation
prices but may be entered at the basic carrier route price for
Periodicals mailings or the basic Enhanced Carrier Route price for
Standard Mail mailings.
    We received comments from five respondents on the proposal: two
from a mailer association, two from mailers that use DALs, and one from
a USPS[supreg] postmaster.

Comments

    One commenter suggested that to reduce costs further we should
eliminate the use of DALs altogether, or also apply the automation
requirements to DALs prepared with simplified addresses. Eliminating
the use of DALs or requiring saturation mailers to physically apply
addresses directly on each mailpiece may cause undue hardship for some
mailers. We determined that such a requirement would be difficult for
small local mailers sending saturation mailings to rural or highway
contract routes and perhaps cause them to stop using the mail. We
concluded that these additional changes were not in the best interest
of the Postal Service or our customers.
    One commenter requested DALs be allowed for Periodicals and
Standard Mail ECR high-density mailings. This request is outside the
scope of this rule.
    One commenter expressed concern about the added cost of preparing
an automation-compatible DAL. We considered the implications for our
customers, and note that the use of DALs is an option in most
instances. We continue to encourage customers to move to on-piece
addressing rather than use DALs. Incidentally, on June 7, 2007, at the
request of many mailers, we revised our standards to allow advertising
on the front of DALs, provided that the DALs were barcoded and
automation-compatible (see Postal Bulletin 22208 and DMM(r)
602.4.2.5.b). This change provided mailers with the ability to offset
the DAL surcharge, implemented in May 2007, with new opportunities for
advertising revenue.
    One commenter requested we extend the use of simplified addresses
to city route deliveries. This request is outside the scope of this
final rule.
    One commenter expressed concerns about continuing to enter DALs at
destination delivery units (DDUs) while remaining eligible for DDU
prices for

[[Page 2867]]

flats. Although DALS are letter-size, they are allowed to be entered at
DDUs when they accompany either flats or parcels. This final rule does
not propose to change the current standards that allow the DALs to be
dropped at the DDU and does not change price eligibility for flats.
 

The Postal Service adopts the following changes to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), which is incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal
Regulations. See 39 CFR 111.1.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, 39 CFR 111 is amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 111 continues to read as
follows:

 Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 414,
416, 3001-3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3622, 3626, 3632, 3633,
and 5001.

    2. Revise the following sections of Mailing Standards of the United
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM), as follows:
* * * * *
600 Basic Standards for All Mailing Services
* * * * *
602 Addressing
1.0 Elements of Addressing
* * * * *
1.5 Return Addresses
* * * * *
1.5.3 Required Use of Return Addresses
The sender's domestic return address must appear legibly on:
* * * * *
    [Revise text of 1.5.3 to add new item m as follows:]
    m. Detached addressed labels (DALs).
* * * * *

4.0 Detached Address Labels (DALs)
4.1 DAL Use
* * * * *

4.1.2 Periodicals or Standard Mail Flats Saturation Mailings

    [Revise text of 4.1.2 to require that DALs accompanying saturation
mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats be automation-compatible
as follows:]
    Saturation mailings of unaddressed Periodicals or Standard Mail
flats may be mailed with detached address labels (DALs). DALs
accompanying saturation mailings of Periodicals or Standard Mail flats
must be automation-compatible under 201.3.0. This standard does not
apply to DALs with simplified addressing. For this standard, saturation
mailing means a mailing sent to at least 75% of the total addresses on
a carrier route or 90% of the residential addresses on a route,
whichever is less. Deliveries are not required to every carrier route
of a delivery unit. Saturation flats mailings presented with DALs that
are not automation-compatible and barcoded do not qualify for
saturation prices but may be entered at the basic carrier route price
for Periodicals mailings or the basic Enhanced Carrier Route price for
Standard Mail mailings.
* * * * *

4.2 Label Preparation

4.2.1 Label Construction

    Each DAL must be made of paper or cardboard stock that is not
folded, perforated, or creased, and that meets these measurements:
    [Revise text of 4.2.1 to modify item c and add new item d and new
item e as follows:]
* * * * *
    c. At least .007 inch thick except under 4.2.1.d.
    d. If more than 4\1/4\ inches high or more than 6 inches long, must
be at least 0.009 inch thick.
    e. Must have an aspect ratio (length divided by height) from 1.3 to
2.5, inclusive.

4.2.2 Addressing

    [Revise text of 4.2.2 by deleting the current last sentence in its
entirety and adding a new last sentence to require a POSTNET or
Intelligent Mail barcode with a delivery point routing code as
follows:]
    * * * In addition, if DALs accompany saturation mailings of
Periodicals or Standard Mail flats, a correct delivery point POSTNET
barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode with an 11-digit routing code must
be included (see 708.4) except when using a simplified address.
* * * * *

Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. E9-859 Filed 1-15-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-12-P