Implementation of Full-Service Intelligent Mail Requirements for Automation Prices, 63771-63781 [2012-25551]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
CFR 1304.03, 1304.04, 1304.21, 1304.22,
and 1304.23.
Reports. All registrants required to
submit reports pursuant to 21 U.S.C.
827 and in accordance with 21 CFR
1304.33 would be required to do so
regarding methylone.
Order Forms. All registrants involved
in the distribution of methylone would
be required to comply with the order
form requirements pursuant to 21 U.S.C.
828 and 21 CFR 1305.
Importation and Exportation. All
importation and exportation of
methylone would need to be done in
accordance with 21 CFR Part 1312,
pursuant to 21 U.S.C. 952, 953, 957, and
958.
Criminal Liability. Any activity with
methylone not authorized by, or in
violation of, Subchapter I Part D and
Subchapter II of the CSA occurring on
or after effective date of the finalization
of this proposed rule would be
unlawful.
Regulatory Analyses
Executive Order 12988
This proposed regulation meets the
applicable standards set forth in
Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive
Order 12988 Civil Justice Reform to
eliminate ambiguity, minimize
litigation, establish clear legal
standards, and reduce burden.
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PART 1308—SCHEDULES OF
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES
1. The authority citation for 21 CFR
Part 1308 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 21 U.S.C. 811, 812, 871(b),
unless otherwise noted.
2. Section 1308.11 is amended by
adding a new paragraph (d)(36) to read
as follows:
*
*
*
*
(d) * * *
(36) 3,4-Methylenedioxy-Nmethylcathinone (Methylone)—7540
*
*
*
*
*
Dated: October 10, 2012.
Michele M. Leonhart,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012–25509 Filed 10–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4410–09–P
39 CFR Part 111
ACTION:
Postal ServiceTM.
Proposed rule.
The Postal Service is
proposing to revise Mailing Standards
of the United States Postal Service,
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM®)
throughout various sections to modify
eligibility requirements for mailers to
obtain automation prices for First-Class
Mail®, Standard Mail®, Periodicals®,
and Bound Printed Matter® when
mailing postcards, letters, and flats.
Effective January 2014, use of ‘‘fullservice’’ Intelligent Mail® would be
required to obtain automation prices.
Additionally, the 10/24 transitional
barcoded tray label format would be
eliminated and mailers would be
required to use the 24-digit Intelligent
Mail barcode (IMbTM) format on tray,
tub, and sack labels.
SUMMARY:
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We must receive your comments
on or before November 16, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written
comments to the Manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475
L’Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260–5015. You may
inspect and photocopy all written
comments at USPS® Headquarters
Library, 475 L’Enfant Plaza SW., 11th
Floor N., Washington, DC by
appointment only between the hours of
9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday by calling 1–202–268–2906 in
advance. Comments and questions can
also be emailed to
mailingstandards@usps.gov using the
subject line ‘‘full-service January 2014.’’
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ana Cikowski, email:
ana.cikowski@usps.gov, phone: 202–
268–8079.
Himesh Patel, email:
himesh.a.patel@usps.gov, phone:
703–280–7498.
William Chatfield, email:
william.a.chatfield@usps.gov, phone:
202–268–7278.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April
20, 2012, the Postal Service published
an advance notice of proposed
rulemaking in the Federal Register (77
FR 23643–23647) to require use of fullservice Intelligent Mail to obtain
automation prices for First-Class Mail
(FCM), Standard Mail, Periodicals, and
Bound Printed Matter (BPM) when
mailing postcards, letters, and flats.
DATES:
Background
POSTAL SERVICE
AGENCY:
Executive Order 13175
This proposed rule will not have
tribal implications and will not impose
substantial direct compliance costs on
Indian tribal governments.
Jkt 229001
Schedule I.
*
Implementation of Full-Service
Intelligent Mail Requirements for
Automation Prices
Executive Order 13132
This proposed rulemaking does not
preempt or modify any provision of
State law; nor does it impose
enforcement responsibilities on any
State; nor does it diminish the power of
any State to enforce its own laws.
Accordingly, this rulemaking does not
have federalism implications warranting
the application of Executive Order
13132.
15:02 Oct 16, 2012
List of Subjects in 21 CFR Part 1308
Administrative practice and
procedure, Drug traffic control,
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements.
For the reasons set out above, 21 CFR
Part 1308 is proposed to be amended to
read as follows:
§ 1308.11
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563
In accordance with 21 U.S.C. 811(a),
this proposed scheduling action is
subject to formal rulemaking procedures
done ‘‘on the record after opportunity
for a hearing,’’ which are conducted
pursuant to the provisions of 5 U.S.C.
556 and 557. The CSA sets forth the
criteria for scheduling a drug or other
substance. Such actions are exempt
from review by the Office of
Management and Budget pursuant to
Section 3(d)(1) of Executive Order
12866 and the principles reaffirmed in
Executive Order 13563.
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Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
This action does not impose a new
collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44
U.S.C. 3501–3521.
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In January 2009, the Postal Service
offered the mailing industry two
Intelligent Mail options for automation
discounts: basic-service and full-service.
Currently, a large number of mailers are
using these options and reaping
significant benefits and value.
When using the full-service option,
mailers are required to: Apply unique
Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) to
identify each letter, postcard, and flat
mailpiece; individually meet the
eligibility requirements for automation
prices according to class and shape;
apply unique Intelligent Mail tray
barcodes (IMtb) on trays, tubs, and
sacks; apply unique Intelligent Mail
container barcodes (IMcb) on placards
for containers, such as pallets; schedule
appointments through Facility Access
and Shipment Tracking (FAST®) if their
mail is accepted at an origin facility and
entered at a downstream USPSTM
processing facility; and use an approved
electronic method to transmit to the
Postal Service mailing documentation
and postage statements. If the mailing is
being prepared or presented on behalf of
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another entity, the electronic
documentation (eDoc) should include
additional information to support the
by/for mailing relationships. Effective
January 2014, the requirements relative
to the by/for relationships would be
enforced.
We recognize that this proposal
would require significant changes for
mailers who currently benefit from
automation discounts. Therefore, the
Postal Service is proposing to
implement initiatives to limit the
impact on customers who enter small
volume mailings, particularly for those
customers who mail infrequently and
have limited resources to adopt new
mailing practices. Additional tools
would be available for these mailers,
and the associated, simplified
requirements are described further in
this notice.
Our proposal would continue the
ongoing transformation of data visibility
and evolution of technological
innovations. Full-service Intelligent
Mail combines the use of unique scan
codes with the provision of electronic
information regarding the makeup and
preparation of mail, which provides
high-value services and enables efficient
mail processing.
The strategic vision of the Postal
Service is to create 100 percent visibility
in the mail stream by 2014. This vision
would provide mailers with near realtime data that specify the location of
mailpieces within the postal mail
stream and the time of delivery for fullservice mailpieces.
Full-service Intelligent Mail would
offer numerous advantages to mailers
and the Postal Service.
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Advantages for Mailers:
• Mailers would be provided with
comprehensive information on the
status of mailings as they progress
through the postal mail.
• Visibility would enable mailers to
respond more effectively to customer
inquiries on the status of valuable bills,
statements, catalogs, and publications.
• Mailers would have access to free
address correction and tracking
information of mailpieces from mail
entry to destination.
• The mailer’s annual mailing fee for
permits would be waived when postage
statements contain 90 percent or more
of full-service mailpieces.
• Mailers would be allowed to use the
‘‘Mail Anywhere’’ model, which allows
the use of a single permit at any
PostalOne!® site for mailings containing
90 percent or more of full-service
mailpieces (applies to FCM, Standard
Mail, Periodicals, and BPM).
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• Mailers would be able to more
effectively plan operations, assess the
success of advertising campaigns, and
improve customer interaction.
Advantages for the Postal Service
• Visibility into the flow of mail
through the postal mail stream would
enable enhanced diagnostics of service
performance.
• Scan data on containers, trays, and
mailpieces would allow the Postal
Service to measure the number of hours
and minutes between operations.
• Scan data would allow the Postal
Service to identify operational
bottlenecks and continue to improve
service for commercial FCM, Standard
Mail, and Periodicals.
• The ability to provide real-time
alerts to postal operations would enable
them to respond to and avoid potential
service failures.
• Advance notification of volumes
and makeup of commercial mail would
enable improved resource planning.
• Accurate tracking of mail volumes
as they move through the postal
network would enable improved
management and staffing of operations.
• Simplified mail acceptance
processes would increase productivity
and reduce costs.
• The ability to measure service
performance would be available for each
full-service mailer.
The mailer’s use of full-service
Intelligent Mail is an integral part of the
Postal Service’s ongoing strategy to
provide cost-effective and serviceresponsive mailing services. Efficient
use of postal resources can be achieved
with advance information on content
and makeup of the mail. As mail is
processed and sorted, postal sorting
equipment captures volume and
destination information. The Postal
Service has built and is refining systems
that make information available to
downstream postal facilities for use
with operational planning. The
planning data that is enabled through
full-service mailings provides
significant opportunities for
improvements in efficiency and service
performance. However, when a
measurable percentage of mail (that is
prepared and entered by large-volume
commercial mailers and mail preparers)
does not provide similar information,
these benefits cannot be fully captured.
Full-service Intelligent Mail would
also enable simplification of the current
mail acceptance procedures. With the
availability of full-service mailing data
and unique identifiers, the business
mail acceptance procedures would be
streamlined by use of an automated
verification process whereby allowing
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data to be captured on mail processing
and other scanning equipment.
Since the introduction of the fullservice Intelligent Mail requirements,
over four years ago, the Postal Service
has worked closely with mailers,
software providers, and mail service
providers to simplify, refine, and evolve
full-service offerings. Thousands of
mailers, software providers, and mail
service providers have demonstrated the
ability to meet the requirements for fullservice Intelligent Mail.
Based on feedback provided by users
of full-service Intelligent Mail, the use
of full-service would transform the
mailing industry. Unambiguous data
would drive improvements across the
broad spectrum of mailer and postal
processes. Mailers who embrace fullservice would thrive from continued use
of full-service Intelligent Mail.
Transitioning to Full-Service Intelligent
Mail
The Postal Service continues to
develop enhancements, simplify
existing tools, streamline the processes
for mailers to prepare mailings, and
provide ease of use for small and large
mailers to transition to full-service
Intelligent Mail. The Postal Service also
recognizes that there maybe costs for
mailers associated with converting to
full-service Intelligent Mail.
In support of the proposal to
transition to full-service Intelligent Mail
and the elimination of automation
discounts with the use of POSTNETTM
barcodes, the Postal Service proposes to
offer the following self-service tools,
process enhancements, on-boarding
simplifications, and postage incentives:
• Automated Business Reply Mail
Tool—The USPS Automated Business
Reply Mail® (ABRM) application is an
online, self-service tool that allows
Reply Mail customers to create domestic
card-, letter-, and flat-size pieces of
Business Reply Mail® (BRMTM),
Courtesy Reply MailTM (CRMTM), and
Metered Reply MailTM (MRM). ABRM
also creates artwork for card- and lettersize pieces of Qualified Business Reply
MailTM (QBRM). In addition, ABRM
provides the option to create a FIM &
Barcode only for CRM and BRM
artwork. The ABRM tool offers a
number of features for Reply Mail
customers, including the ability to:
Design and create approved USPS
camera-ready artwork with an
Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb); place the
barcode above the address block or in
the barcode clear zone; add an image or
logo related to the mailpiece; allow a
third-party vendor or mail service
provider to create artwork for clients
through the ABRM tool; download
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artwork designs in PDF and EPS
formats; and store mailpieces and logos
in the ABRM library for future use (up
to 100MB).
• Intelligent Mail Small Business
Tool—Intelligent Mail for Small
Business Mailers (IMsb) is an online,
self-service tool which allows a mailer
to produce a unique IMb. This online
tool is accessible through the Business
Customer Gateway. It is intended for
small volume mailers who enter
mailings consisting of 5,000 pieces or
fewer pieces with an annual maximum
threshold of 125,000 pieces. The tool
may be used for FCM and Standard Mail
letter or flat mailings. The tool allows
the mailer to upload an address file
which is then processed for Delivery
Point Validation. Standardized
addresses with Intelligent Mail barcodes
are returned in a .pdf format, which may
be printed directly on an envelope or
label by the mailer. Mailers are able to
print unique tray labels. Mailers using
the tool may qualify for the full-service
Mixed Automated Area Distribution
Center (MXD AADC) and Mixed Area
Distribution Center (MXD ADC)
automation prices. Postage statements
are submitted electronically through
Postage Wizard®.
• Simplified On-Boarding Process—
To provide ease of use for full-service
mailers, the Postal Service proposes to
enhance the Business Customer
Gateway (BCG). These enhancements
include the following: Streamlined signup process; simplified steps to request
a service; automatic assignment of
Mailer IDs (MIDs); redesigned user
interface, resulting in easier navigation,
consolidation of screens, and contextual
help screens; simplification of the
Business Service Administration (BSA)
functionality; and restructured
validation and linkage of mailing
permits. In addition, the enhancement
would allow for identification of mail
service providers as well as the ability
to request MIDs and services on behalf
of customers. In the case of small
business users (one user/one account),
account creation would be streamlined
by automatically assigning MIDs and
multiple services at the same time.
When these proposed simplifications
and enhancements are finalized,
detailed information will be
communicated to the mailing industry.
Other enhancements to the on-boarding
process would include the following:
—The Mail.dat® and Mail.XMLTM error
messages from the uploading of eDoc
would be standardized to provide
explanations of irregularities more
clearly and allow mailers to take
corrective action. This enhancement
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is underway and scheduled for a
release.
—The PostalOne! dashboard is being
enhanced by adding a functionality
that would allow mailer-initiated job
cancellations, resulting in the mailer’s
ability to cancel a job if none of the
statements in the job have been
finalized or checked in by a postal
acceptance clerk. Also, if there is
more than one statement in a job, all
of the statements associated with the
job would be cancelled through this
user interface.
• Test Environment for Mailers—The
Postal Service would develop a Test
Environment for Mailers (TEM)
certification process for software
vendors and simplify the on-boarding
process for mailers using certified
software. Vendors would have the
option to go through the TEM process
by indicating which mailing capabilities
are supported by their software, then
completing test scenarios to
demonstrate their software’s
functionality when generating and
submitting eDoc files that vary by mail
preparation requirements. These
capabilities would be tracked by the
Postal Service and made available
through a published list consisting of
authorized software for mailers.
Potential software users could reference
the list to evaluate if the listed software
meets their mailing needs. Mailers
would only be required to submit a
single file to TEM when using software
that meets the following criteria: The
software is authorized for eDoc and fullservice when passed through the TEM
process for vendors for the capabilities
that the vendor supports in production.
Mailers using authorized software
would submit a single file to TEM to
demonstrate that they are able to use the
software to generate accurate eDoc.
• Full-Service Technology Credit—In
order to encourage mailers to convert to
full-service Intelligent Mail, the Postal
Service is proposing to offer a ‘‘FullService Technology Credit’’ (tech
credit). This credit is intended to help
offset the investment required to
implement the necessary hardware and
software infrastructure changes to
support full-service mailings.
Eligibility Criteria
The mail volume of all ‘‘Permit
Holders’’ and ‘‘Mailing Agents’’, as
identified on a postage statement, would
be evaluated across qualifying permits
for each business location/Customer
Registration ID (CRID). Each CRID that
exceeds an annual volume of 125,000
qualifying pieces would be eligible to
redeem a tech credit. All CRIDs would
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be considered for a tech credit
regardless of current full-service status.
To determine the level of qualifying
mail volume for each business location/
CRID, the following steps would be
taken:
• Mail volume associated with each
permit as defined in the ‘‘Permit
Holder’’ and/or ‘‘Mailing Agent’’ fields
would be evaluated. Permit types would
include:
• Permit Imprint
• Metered
• OMAS Imprint
• OMAS Metered
• Precancelled Stamp
• Periodicals
• Ghost.
• The following full-service eligible
mailings would be considered as
qualifying mail volume:
• FCM automation letters, cards, and
flats.
• Standard Mail automation letters
and flats—includes IMb Enhanced
Carrier Route (ECR), except saturation
flats.
• Periodicals automation/barcoded
letters and flats—includes ECR letters &
flats.
• BPM barcoded flats.
• The mail volume for a one-year
period would be used in the evaluation.
• To be considered for the tech credit,
permits must have been opened and
business locations (CRIDs) established.
• When determining a mailer’s
qualifying volume, the Postal Service
will consider the ‘‘Permit Holder’’ and
‘‘Mailing Agent’’ volume for each CRID
and use the higher of the two volumes
to determine the amount of the tech
credit.
D The mail volume of the ‘‘Permit
Holder’’ for each permit associated with
a CRID would be aggregated.
D The mail volume of the ‘‘Mailing
Agent’’ for each permit associated with
a CRID would be aggregated.
• Each CRID that exceeds 125,000
full-service eligible pieces in annual
mail volume (total of all eligible volume
from all eligible permits) would be
awarded one tech credit as follows:
• 125,001–500,000 pieces = $2,000
postage credit.
• 500,001–2,000,000 pieces = $3,000
postage credit.
• 2,000,001 + pieces = $5,000 postage
credit.
• Each business location would be
eligible to redeem only one tech credit.
D In the event there are multiple
CRIDs identifying the same business
location which have linked permits, the
CRID with the highest eligible volume
would receive the tech credit.
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Notification Process
The Postal Service would provide
advance notification to the industry
regarding tech credit program status.
This messaging would occur prior to the
beginning of the promotion.
Redemption Process
The following credit redemption
guidelines would be used:
• Any permit linked to a qualified
CRID may redeem the tech credit as a
postage credit in mailings that contain
90% or more full-service pieces.
• To apply this postage credit, the
permit must be the paying permit in the
mailing (identified as Permit Holder).
• The following permit types may be
used:
Æ Permit Imprint.
Æ Additional Postage (ADDPOS).
Æ OMAS Imprint.
Æ OMAS Metered.
Æ Metered.
Æ Precancelled Stamp.
Æ Periodicals.
• Mailers may redeem the tech credit
through eDoc submission via Mail.dat or
Mail.XML. Postal Wizard submissions
would not be eligible.
• Upon submission of an eligible
mailing, the tech credit would be
automatically applied in full.
D A partial tech credit amount could
be applied to statements if the tech
credit amount is greater than the total
postage for the postage statement.
D The remaining tech credit amount
would be applied to subsequent
statement(s).
• The tech credit redemption
timeframe is proposed to run for a oneyear period.
When final, further details regarding
the ‘‘Full-Service Technology Credit’’
will be available on RIBBSTM at https://
ribbs.usps.gov.
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Summary of Comments and USPS
Responses
The Postal Service received 110
comments from a variety of mailers and
mailer associations. The comments that
were received in addition to feedback
from the Mailers Technical Advisory
Council (MTAC), Postal Customer
Council (PCC), and other outreach
efforts, allowed the Postal Service to
develop initiatives that should enable
mailers to efficiently transition to fullservice Intelligent Mail.
From the comments that were
received, some mailers and mailer
associations indicated that they look
forward to embracing ‘‘full-service’’
Intelligent Mail, while others expressed
concerns that were attributed to the five
categories listed below:
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1. Acceptance of Full-Service Intelligent
Mail
Comments:
D I think that full-service should be
mandatory for the mailers.
D Full-service Intelligent Mail is a
streamlined benefit to mailers and adds
a cost-savings to customers.
D Shops that do not want to invest
and upgrade to full-service Intelligent
Mail probably should not be entering
mail anyway.
D As long as CONFIRM® tracking is
provided, we are in acceptance of fullservice Intelligent Mail.
D I certainly hope that the effective
date is fixed and that the Postal Service
doesn’t plan to change the date several
times. Yes, there is a lot involved in
moving to full-service; however, the
Postal Service has provided advanced
notice and ample time to the industry.
Many mailers have already begun
preparing for full-service.
D We will be ready well in advance of
January 2014.
D As a requirement for automation
discounts, I fully support the move to
full-service Intelligent Mail. We have
been successfully using full-service.
D Our company chose to use a thirdparty vendor and have experienced ease
with implementing full-service
Intelligent Mail.
D Our company is ready for fullservice Intelligent Mail.
Postal Service Responses:
D The Postal Service appreciates the
positive feedback and is fully aware of
the outstanding contributions rendered
by the current users of full-service
Intelligent Mail. These mailers have
contributed to the collective knowledgebase and continue to receive numerous
benefits from participating in the fullservice offering. Mailers using fullservice often espouse the significant
value of additional data to drive change
in their marketing strategies and have
established additional avenues to
acquire new customers. Due to the vital
feedback provided by full-service
participants, the Postal Service has a
greater understanding of the needs of
mailers and is working to simplify fullservice requirements, which would
potentially offer mailers a more userfriendly experience.
2. Cost/ROI
Comments:
D The use of vendors to meet the fullservice requirement is too costly.
D Costs to convert to full-service
would add up quickly.
D It would take years to recoup the
return on my investment.
D In Postal Service industry, loans are
hard to acquire.
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D The requirement for full-service
would cause the loss of my job.
D This new requirement for fullservice would bankrupt my business.
D Full-service is advantageous for
USPS but does not benefit the mailer.
Postal Service Responses:
D The Postal Service is continuing to
research methods to simplify,
streamline, and provide ease of use for
small and large mailers to transition to
full-service Intelligent Mail. The
industry has been very responsive in
providing feedback to help drive various
strategies that ultimately will achieve
full transition to the use of full-service.
D Two primary areas of focus for the
Postal Service are as follows:
—Continuing to build a strong visibility
platform.
—Acquiring new users of full-service
Intelligent Mail through the use of the
newly proposed ‘‘Full-Service
Technology Credit.’’
D The Postal Service believes that
full-service offers features that would
increase the value of the mail by
providing mailers with more current
and ‘‘clean’’ addresses, gives mailers
access to information about mailings
that would enhance marketing
strategies, eliminate unnecessary
paperwork, and assist mailers with
developing better tools to acquire new
revenue sources. Full-service diagnostic
reports would provide mailers with
visibility into the mail stream and
convey pertinent information, such as
the number of pieces delivered,
forwarded, and or handled as
undeliverable as addressed (UAA).
D Another area of focus for USPS is
simplification. In response to industry
feedback, USPS is proposing
simplification of full-service processes,
which could result in lower costs for
mailers when complying with fullservice requirements. As described with
this proposed rule, when entering fullservice mailings, the Postal Service
would support capabilities through
advanced, thorough communications
and provide simplified on-boarding
processes.
D A new address correction service
(ACS) alternative process, full-service
ACSTM fulfillment, would be in place to
allow mailers to receive records
immediately and the billing of nonqualifying records as they are identified.
This fulfillment would provide the
records in the OneCode ACS® format
via the Electronic Product Fulfillment
(EPF) server.
D With simplification of full-service
Intelligent Mail, mailers would
experience many benefits as indicated
in the USPS responses below.
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D The Postal Service strongly disagrees
that the investment of full-service is
not worth the benefits gained.
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3. Complexity
Comments:
D Provide me with the tools to
effectively comply with this
requirement.
D I want to do it myself without the
additional costs of a vendor.
D Simplify the process.
D Make it easy for mailers to transition.
D Do not force me to use a vendor.
D Do not phase out the price eligibility
for basic-service Intelligent Mail.
D Basic service is sufficient for my
company; give mailers an option.
D I’m finding it very difficult to receive
passing grades on my full-service tray
labels and pallet placards for
Periodicals.
Postal Service Responses:
D The Postal Service has taken all
suggestions from the mailing industry
under consideration regarding basicservice for Intelligent Mail and used
these suggestions to simplify the fullservice offering.
D The Postal Service is streamlining and
simplifying the full-service process
for mailers.
D Mailers who enter fewer than 10,000
pieces per mailing would be able to
use simplified documentation and
mail preparation requirements to
qualify for full-service Intelligent
Mail.
D An IMsb tool was developed and
would provide a simplified method
for mailers to obtain a unique IMb for
mail pieces and help mailers to meet
the eDoc requirements for simple
mailings.
D The Postal Service would continue to
provide IMtb for mailers who
currently obtain tray labels from the
Postal Service Label Print Center
(LPC) in Topeka, Kansas.
D Alternative methods of associating
mailpieces into handling units and
handling units into containers would
be implemented. The Postal Service
plans to extend and expand the use of
logical trays/containers for all
mailings when mailers provide at
least one sibling physical record (tray/
container) for each logical tray/
container; mailpieces can be
associated to the logical tray.
D Information about visibility, start-theclock, and mail data quality errors
would be provided to the mail
preparer or mail owner as identified
in eDoc.
D The complexity for mail service
providers who work with multiple
small mail owners would be reduced,
because they would not have to track
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volume and the assigned IMb for each
mail owner when the volume is below
a specific threshold.
D The on-boarding and submission
processes for mailers would be
simplified.
D The risk of error from incorrect data
would be mitigated by verifying
information for MIDs and CRIDs prior to
eDoc submission.
D The Mail.dat and Mail.XML error
messages from the uploading of eDoc
would be standardized to provide
explanations of irregularities more
clearly, which would allow mailers to
better understand the specific errors
encountered and take corrective action.
D The process for mailers to initiate
job cancellations through the PostalOne!
dashboard would be improved.
D The Testing Environment for
Mailers would be simplified.
D Effective September 2012, USPS
provided new options for the
preparation of pallets, trays, and sacks
of FCM and Standard Mail allowing
mailers to: Place trays or sacks of
residual single-piece FCM letters and
flats on the origin sectional center
facility (SCF) pallet; place trays or sacks
of Standard Mail letters and flats paid
at single-piece FCM prices on the mixed
network distribution center (NDC)
pallet; and combine FCM or Standard
Mail with different payment methods in
a single mailing and place trays of
single-piece letters or flats on a
specified pallet after USPS verification
is completed. Additionally, the Postal
Service is adding human-readable text
to content identifier number (CIN) codes
to accommodate use with single-piece
mailpieces.
D All pertinent USPS documents
would be revised to clarify when
container placards are required.
D Containers with placards would not
be required when mailings consist of the
following:
—A small volume mailing of FCM,
Standard Mail, Periodicals, and BPM
entered directly at the dock of a USPS
processing facility or Destination
Delivery Unit (DDU), as follows: Less
than 72 linear feet—6 full layers of
letter trays; 24 linear feet—3 full
layers of tubs; or 500 pounds of
bundles or sacks.
—A small volume mailing of Standard
Mail, Periodicals, and BPM entered at
a BMEU, as follows: Less than 72
linear feet—6 full layers of letter trays;
24 linear feet—3 full layers of tubs; or
500 pounds of bundles or sacks.
—A FCM mailing entered at a BMEU
not prepared under a Customer
Supplier Agreement (CSA).
—Mail that is not presented in a
container with an IMcb and is entered
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at a facility other than a BMEU may
not receive a Start-the-Clock scan and
would be excluded from service
measurement.
4. Clarity and Awareness
Comments:
D January 2014 is too soon to
negotiate budget allowances.
D PostalOne! is not ready to handle
all full-service mailings.
D The Postal Service is not leading the
way.
D The tools for reports and tracking
capabilities must be improved quickly.
Postal Service Responses:
D As described earlier in this
proposed rule, plans are underway to
enhance the BCG by providing a more
user-friendly experience.
D Mailers entering simple mailings of
fewer than 10,000 mailpieces would not
be required to provide information on
mailpieces that are nested in trays and
containers. Additionally, mailers would
be allowed to use the same unique piece
sequence ID on all mailpieces within a
mailing.
D Additionally, the Postal Service
plans to use an IMb on all mailings and
internal operational printing.
D The Postal Service is investing in
short- and long-term enhancements to
its PostalOne! infrastructure and
conducting ongoing focus groups and
workshops to glean suggestions from the
mailing industry on future improvement
opportunities.
5. General Comments
Comments:
D If automation and full-service
Intelligent Mail barcodes are required, it
is essential that USPS communicates to
the industry its plans around
consequences for mail quality errors.
D As specified with MERLIN, would
the existing automation error thresholds
and policies still apply for full-service
mailings?
D What price consequences would be
assessed for mailings that do not meet
full-service qualifications?
D How would full-service failures be
assessed and monitored?
D Where would the determination of
full-service compliance be made—at
induction or further downstream?
D Would mail service providers be
permitted to rework mail that is not
deemed in compliance with full-service
requirements?
Postal Service Responses:
D Concerning mail quality errors, the
Postal Service would allow adequate
time for mailers to review and become
familiar with mail data quality reporting
and take corrective action.
D We are working with the mailing
industry to define and develop a
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seamless acceptance process that would
leverage the data which is provided
through full-service and eDoc.
D The Postal Service endeavors to
streamline the acceptance and
verification process.
D Until the Postal Service fully
embraces a seamless environment,
existing thresholds and policies would
be maintained. Any changes to those
thresholds would be defined
collaboratively with the industry to
mutually establish and refine policies.
D The Postal Service would continue
to work with the industry to develop
procedures and expect that monitoring
would be provided through
MicroStrategy reports designed
specifically to provide mailers and the
Postal Service with the necessary data to
understand mail quality issues.
D The seamless concept would allow
verification to be performed at points of
induction through data captured from
handheld scanners and mail processing
equipment.
D Concerning the mailer’s ability to
rework mail, under seamless
acceptance, data captured at induction
and from mail processing equipment
would be validated against eDoc and
reported through seamless acceptance
reporting.
Comment:
D To handle post list processing, this
transition would cost mail houses
additional funds in software upgrades.
Currently, the mail house is able to
change the postage statements after the
job is produced (such as tray or sack
counts) if what was used is different
than what the qualification report
requires. However, when full-service is
implemented, unless mailers have postprocessing software, we would not be
able to change the Mail.dat file after the
mail has been prepared. The Post Office
should provide this post-processing
capability.
Postal Service Response:
D The Postal Service is aware of the
mailer’s need to modify files after
submission, and we have been working
with industry representatives to identify
options to make this available. A new
functionality would be deployed to
allow the mailer to delete a nonfinalized job from the PostalOne!
dashboard and resubmit the file without
having to rename the file.
Comment:
D The switch to full-service is an
onerous task that requires mailer service
providers to submit a large amount of
additional data. Also, it requires each of
my customers to have their own CRID.
Today, my customers come to me
specifically, because they do not want to
have to deal with the Post Office and all
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of the requirements that are in place to
prepare a proper mailing. If mail owners
are required to get involved with the
process of applying for ID numbers and
accounts with the Post Office, then you
are reducing the value of the mail
houses, which are your most valuable
partners.
Postal Service Response:
D The Postal Service has several
options for acquisition of CRIDS/MIDs
in bulk by a mail service provider using
an automated XML process or manual
Excel-based request. Our RIBBS Web
page has documents to assist in
determining which option would be
more suitable. A link to the page is
provided below. Additionally, the
Postal Service continues to explore
options to simplify the use of fullservice Intelligent Mail and evaluate the
concerns of mailers. Visit our RIBBS
Web page at https://ribbs.usps.gov/
index.cfm?page=intellmailmailidapp.
Comment:
D The full-service Intelligent Mail
TEM is a long, time-consuming process.
I am significantly concerned about the
effort and time commitment to
transition to full-service, while still
running my business.
Postal Service Response:
D The Postal Service has recently
taken action to simplify the testing
requirements for individual mailers. A
process was developed to certify a
vendor’s software based on specific
capabilities for which the software
vendor has applied. The vision is for
individual mailers/users of the certified
software to collapse multiple
submissions into a single submission to
access the testing environment.
Examination of the actual data
submitted for the initial physical
mailings would return feedback to the
mailer on the verifications performed.
Requirements for Full-Service
Intelligent Mail
Intelligent Mail Barcodes
• Mailpiece barcode. The IMb on
letter and flat mailpieces encodes up to
31-digits of mailpiece data into 65
vertical bars. The IMb contains
additional fields that encode ancillary
services, identify the mailer and the
class of mail, and allow unique
numbering/serialization of the
mailpiece. The Postal Service would
issue a unique MID to each mailer using
full-service Intelligent Mail, and the
USPS-assigned MID must be included in
the IMb. Except with simple mailings as
described above in this notice, mailers
are required to uniquely number each
mailpiece in a mailing and not reuse
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any of the numbers for a period of 45
days from the date of mailing.
• Tray barcode. An IMtb is required
on letter trays, flat trays and sacks.
Unlike the 10-digit tray barcode
containing only routing information that
is used currently, the 24-digit IMtb
includes additional fields to identify the
mailer and uniquely number each tray,
tub, or sack. The mailer’s USPSassigned MID must be included in the
IMtb. Mailers are required to uniquely
number each tray or sack in a mailing
and not reuse any of the numbers for a
period of 45 days from the date of
mailing. Pieces inside each tray must be
electronically linked or nested to the
IMtb.
• Container barcode. An IMcb is
required on all containers used to
transport and enter mail at postal
processing centers, such as pallets, all
purpose containers (APCs), rolling
stock, and gaylords, except certain small
volume and FCM mailings. This 21-digit
IMcb includes fields to identify the
mailer and uniquely number each
container. Mailers must include their
USPS-assigned MID in the IMcb.
Mailers are required to uniquely number
each container in a mailing and not
reuse any of the numbers for a period
of 45 days from the date of mailing.
Trays inside the container must be
electronically linked or nested to the
IMcb. When automation mailings are
not required to be containerized (too
small to require a pallet or rolling
stock), an IMcb would not be required
on placards nor would submission of
IMcb records be required in eDoc.
Intelligent Mail Tray Barcodes
Starting in January 2014, when
mailings are entered and full-service
automation prices are claimed, the use
of tray labels bearing 24-digit IMtb
would be required. An IMtb contains
the following information:
• ZIP CodeTM: A 5-digit ZIP Code
used to identify the destination of the
tray or sack.
• Content Identifier Number (CIN):
Describes tray or sack content, including
presort level and class.
• Content Label Source (L SRC):
Designates whether tray, tub, or sack
contents are automation compatible.
• Mailer ID: A 6- or 9-digit MID
assigned by the Postal Service for use in
the Intelligent Mail barcodes.
• Serial Number: A mailer would use
this field to uniquely identify individual
trays, tubs, or sacks. If a 6-digit MID is
assigned, the mailer would have 8 digits
to uniquely identify the handling units.
If a 9-digit MID is assigned, the mailer
would have 5 digits to identify the
handling units. To participate in the
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full-service option, the Serial Number
field is populated with a unique number
for each handling unit (tray or sack) in
the mailing. For 45 days from the date
of mailing, these serial numbers must
remain unique.
• Label Type: Indicates MID field
length.
To access automation prices through
the full-service option, mailers would be
required to populate all fields in the
IMtb and include a unique serial
number.
To view the final specifications and
detailed information on the IMtb, access
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.
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Intelligent Mail Container Barcodes
Mailers typically label containers of
mail deposited with the Postal Service.
For full-service, mailers must apply a
unique IMcb to container placards and
keep the barcode unique for at least 45
days from the date of mailing. This IMcb
includes fields to identify the mailer
and uniquely identify each container.
To comply with the full-service
standards, mailers must apply placards
to all containers such as pallets, APCs,
rolling stock, and gaylords.
The IMcb has two formats. The format
a mailer uses depends upon the MID
assigned by the Postal Service.
The IMcb label specifications are
available in two physical sizes for the
IMcb barcode labels: One is the 8″ min
x 11″ format available on RIBBS, and the
other size is the 4″x7″ self adhesive
format, also available on RIBBS.
• Application ID (Appl ID): ‘‘99’’
indicates the source of the barcode.
• Type Indicator: ‘‘M’’ indicates a
mailer-generated barcode.
• Mailer ID: A 6- or 9-digit MID
assigned by the Postal Service for use in
the IMb.
• Serial Number: A mailer would use
this field to uniquely identify individual
containers. If a 6-digit MID is assigned,
the mailer would have 12 digits to
uniquely identify the containers. If a 9digit MID is assigned, the mailer would
have 9 digits to identify the containers.
To participate in the full-service option,
the serial number field is populated
with a unique number for each
container in the mailing. These unique
serial numbers must not be reused for
45 days from the date of mailing. To
access the automation prices through
the full-service option, mailers would be
required to populate all fields in the
IMcb to include a unique serial number.
To view the final specifications and
detailed information on the IMcb, access
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
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Appointment Scheduling
All mailers whose mail is verified at
a DMU/BMEU and transported by the
mailer or their agent to a USPS
processing facility, including mailings
entered at origin and plant-verified drop
shipments (PVDS), would be required to
schedule appointments using the FAST
system at postal facilities where
applicable. Mailers may schedule
appointments online using the FAST
Web site or they may submit
appointment requests through
PostalOne! FAST Web Services using
the Mail.XML specification. For
improved service performance
measurement, visibility, and operational
planning, the Postal Service
recommends that mailers link their
IMcb to FAST appointments. Mailers
must provide container barcodes as part
of the stand-alone content creation,
appointment creation, and update
processes through PostalOne! FAST
Web Services. Mailers can also receive
close-out data through FAST online
reports or PostalOne! FAST Web
Services.
Electronic Documentation
By submitting documents
electronically, mailers are able to
manage mailing data more effectively
and avoid the creation of paper-based
forms. Additionally, submission of
documents electronically enables the
Postal Service to capture efficiencies.
When entering full-service mailings,
eDoc is required. A mailer’s eDoc
identifies the unique IMb applied to
each mailpiece, tray, tub, sack, and
container; it describes how mailpieces
are linked to handling units, such as
trays, tubs, and sacks; and identifies
how mailpieces and handling units are
linked to containers. Additionally, eDoc
identifies spoilage or shortage of pieces
in a mailing, the preparer of the mailing,
and the mailer for whom the mailing is
prepared (i.e., Mail Owner). Mail Owner
identification is required for all pieces
in a full-service mailing.
The eDoc is transmitted to PostalOne!
and used for verification, acceptance,
payment, service performance
measurement, and induction planning
and processing. Also, PostalOne! can
use this information to automate postage
statement generation and payment
processing. PostalOne! has the
capability to provide mailers with
access to their mailing documentation
and financial transaction information 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. The
PostalOne! system translates the
customer-generated electronic
information into postage statements and
supporting documentation, such as
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63777
qualification and container reports,
which are used for verification,
acceptance, and induction processes.
Mailings With Fewer Than 10,000
Pieces
Except mailings consisting of letterand flat-size Periodicals and BPM flats,
full-service mailings with fewer than
10,000 pieces do not require the
submission of eDoc—only an electronic
postage statement is required. These
mailings may be electronically
submitted using Postal Wizard,
Mail.XML, or Mail.dat.
For mailings of fewer than 10,000
pieces, when postage is affixed to each
piece at the correct price or each piece
is of identical weight and the mailpieces
are separated by price, the serial number
field of each IMb can be populated with
a mailing serial number that is unique
to the mailing but common to all pieces
in the mailing. This unique mailing
serial number must not be reused for a
period of 45 days from the date of
mailing. Except mailers of full-service
Periodicals letters and flats and BPM
flats, mailers who enter such mailings
are not required to submit eDoc for the
full-service option, only an electronic
postage statement. Unique mailing serial
numbers must be populated in the
Postal Wizard entry screen field or in
the Mail.XML messages. Mailers must
populate the serial number field of all
Intelligent Mail tray or sack labels, and
Intelligent Mail container barcodes
(when mailings are containerized) with
the unique mailing serial number. Postal
Wizard cannot be used with full-service
Periodicals and BPM mailings, even if
under 10,000 pieces; Postal Wizard does
not support adding the MID or the serial
number(s) for these mailings. It should
also be noted, for full-service mailings
using the Postal Wizard, only the owner
of the mailing permit will receive startthe-clock feedback.
Mailings With 10,000 Pieces or Greater
When full-service mailings with
10,000 pieces or greater are entered,
mailers are required to use Mail.dat or
Mail.XML to electronically transmit
mailing documentation and postage
statements. eDoc must contain
information about the unique ID that is
applied to the mailpieces, placards,
trays, tubs, sacks, and containers. Also,
the information must describe how
mailpieces are linked to handling units
and how mailpieces and handling units
are linked to containers.
In addition, when mailings are copalletized, co-mingled, or combined inhouse or at a different plant, eDoc that
outlines the linkage among associated
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containers, trays, tubs, and sacks would
be required.
Submitting eDoc
The three methods for submitting
eDoc are described as follows:
Mail.dat: Mail.dat serves as a medium
for electronic data exchange and is part
of the overall PostalOne! application
and provides customers the capability to
electronically submit mailing
documentation over a secure
connection. Mail.dat uses industrystandard electronic file formats to
facilitate communication. Mailing
information is used to generate
documentation to support verification,
payment, and induction processes.
Mail.dat specifications are available on
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Mail.XML: The Mail.XML is an
overarching communication
specification that allows mailers to
communicate eDoc and manage
appointments with the Postal Service,
while enabling it to provide quality,
address correction, induction, and
visibility information back to mailers.
Mail.XML can also be used to
communicate between mailers and
consolidators/transporters. Mail.XML is
part of the overall PostalOne!
application that enables a just-in-time
connection (send information when you
are ready to share). The Mail.XML Web
Service uses a Simple Object Access
Protocol (SOAP) to submit information
in an Extensible Markup Language
(XML) format that ensures data are sent
and received by applications written in
various languages and deployed on
various platforms. Mailing information
is sent through Mail.XML to the
PostalOne! system where the
information is stored and used to
generate documentation to support
verification and payment. Mail.XML
specifications are available on RIBBS at
https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Postal Wizard: The Postal Wizard is
an online tool that allows mailers to
securely enter their postage statement
information using PostalOne! mailers
may easily access Postal Wizard through
the Business Customer Gateway at
https://gateway.usps.com.
Postal Wizard verifies completed
information for an online postage
statement and automatically populates
the permit holder section of the postage
statement based on the account number
provided. It guides the user through
items needed to complete the statement.
Postal Wizard automatically calculates
postage and validates submitted
information. Once a postage statement is
completed online, the electronic
statement is submitted directly to the
acceptance unit.
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For detailed information about
electronic mailing options, access
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Additional Mailing Information
Available With Full-Service
Information on mailpiece quality and
visibility is available through the online
USPS BCG tool and PostalOne! Web
Services (Mail.XML). Mailers can query
the information or obtain an automated
subscription. As part of the full-service
program, the Postal Service will be
making the following information
available: Container and tray induction
and processing scans, IMb tracing
bundle and piece scans; start-the-clock
information; address correction data;
and quality and documentation error
reporting information.
Intelligent Mail Barcode Embedded
Data:
• Full-service unique Intelligent Mail
barcodes must be embedded with the
following data: Barcode Identifier and
OEL information (if printed on the
mailpiece), Service Type Identifier
(showing class of mail), Mailer
Identifier, Unique Serial Number, and
Delivery Point Routing Code (11-digit).
• Barcode Identifier: The barcode ID
is a 2-digit field reserved to encode the
presort identification printed in humanreadable form on the Optional
Endorsement Line (OEL). Should be left
as ‘‘00’’ if an OEL is not printed on the
mailpiece, except for automation-rate
eligible flat mail with an optional
endorsement line, where the IMb must
contain OEL coding corresponding to
the correct sortation level of each piece.
• Service Type Identifier: The service
type identifier (STID) indicates class of
mail and requested special services such
as scan information or ACS.
• Mailer Identifier: The MID is a
mandatory 6- or 9-digit identifier of the
mail owner/mailing agent that is
assigned by the Postal Service based
upon documented historical mail
volume of the owner/agent.
• Serial Number: The serial number
is complementary with the MID for a
combined total of 15 digits, which
leaves the mailer/agent with 6 or 9
digits for unique mailpiece
identification. A combination of the
MID and serial number within a mail
class must not be reused within 45 days
of the mailing date.
• Delivery Point Routing Code: The
delivery point routing code describes
the 5-, 9-, or 11-digit field that identifies
the delivery ZIP Code data in the
address.
To view final specifications and
detailed information on the IMb, access
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
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Although the USPS is exempt from
the notice and comment requirements of
the Administrative Procedure Act [5
U.S.C of 553(b), (c)] regarding proposed
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we
invite public comments on the
following proposed revisions to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal
Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM),
incorporated by reference in the Code of
Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR Part
111.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and
procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 is
proposed to be 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); 13 U.S.C. 301–
307; 18 U.S.C. 1692–1737; 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:
Mailing Standards of the United States
Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM)
*
*
*
*
*
200
Commercial Letters and Cards
*
*
230
First-Class Mail
233
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Automation First-Class Mail Letters
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation
First-Class Mail Letters
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 as
follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail
automation mailing must meet fullservice standards in 705.24.0 and:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 5.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent
Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, either
on the piece or on an insert showing
through a window.
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and
renumber current 5.3 through 5.5 as
new 5.2 through 5.4.]
*
*
*
*
*
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240
Standard Mail
243
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Enhanced Carrier Route Standard
Mail Letters
6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route
Standards
*
6.1.2
*
*
*
*
Basic Eligibility
All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier
Route or Nonprofit Enhanced Carrier
Route Standard Mail mailing must:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 6.1.2g as follows:]
g. Meet the requirements for
automation letters in 201.3.0 and bear
an accurate unique Intelligent Mail
barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, except
for letters with simplified addresses or
as provided in 6.1.2h. Letters mailed at
automation carrier route (basic, high
density, or saturation) prices must be in
a mailing entered under full-service
Intelligent Mail standards in 705.24.0.
Pieces prepared with a simplified
address format are exempt from the fullservice, automation-compatibility, and
barcode requirements.
*
*
*
*
*
prices apply when mailpieces are not:
barcoded with an Intelligent Mail
barcode, automation-compatible, and
part of a full-service mailing under
705.24.0.
*
*
*
*
*
7.0 Eligibility Standards for
Automation Standard Mail
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for
Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 as
follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail
or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation
mailing must meet full-service
standards in 705.24.0 and:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 7.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent
Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, either
on the piece or on an insert showing
through a window.
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and
renumber current 7.3 through 7.6 as
new 7.2 through 7.5.]
*
*
*
*
*
300
Commercial Flats
*
*
*
*
*
330
First-Class Mail
6.4 High Density Enhanced Carrier
Route Standards
333
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
6.4.1 Additional Eligibility Standards
for High Density Prices
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Automation First-Class Mail Flats
[Revise the text of 6.4.1 as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards
in 6.1, high density letter-size
mailpieces must be in a full carrier route
tray or in a carrier route bundle of 10
or more pieces prepared under 245.6.0.
Except for pieces with a simplified
address, only nonautomation high
density letter prices apply when
mailpieces are not: Barcoded with an
Intelligent Mail barcode, automationcompatible, and part of a full-service
mailing under 705.24.0.
*
*
*
*
*
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation
First-Class Mail
6.5
Saturation ECR Standards
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with
6.5.1 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Saturation Prices
[Revise the text of 6.5.1 as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards
in 6.1, saturation letter-size mailpieces
must be in a full carrier route tray or in
a carrier route bundle of 10 or more
pieces prepared under 245.6.0. Except
for pieces with a simplified address,
only nonautomation saturation letter
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:02 Oct 16, 2012
Jkt 229001
*
*
*
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 as
follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail
automation flats mailing must meet fullservice standards in 705.24.0 and:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 5.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent
Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either
on the piece or on an insert showing
through a window.
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and
renumber current 5.3 through 5.5 as
new 5.2 through 5.4.]
*
*
*
*
*
340
Standard Mail
343
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
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*
Frm 00017
*
Fmt 4702
*
Sfmt 4702
63779
7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Automation Standard Mail Flats
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for
Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 as
follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail
or Nonprofit Standard Mail automation
mailing must meet full-service
standards in 705.24.0 and:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 7.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent
Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either
on the piece or on an insert showing
through a window.
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and
renumber current 7.3 through 7.4 as
new 7.2 through 7.3.]
*
*
*
*
*
360 Bound Printed Matter
363
Prices and Eligibility
*
*
*
*
*
4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed
Matter Flats
4.1 Price Eligibility
* * * Price categories are as follows:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 4.1d as follows:]
d. Barcoded Discount—Flats. The
barcoded discount applies to BPM flats
that meet the requirements for
automation flats in 301.3.0 and bear an
accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode
encoded with the correct delivery point
routing code and are part of a fullservice mailing under 705.24.0. See 6.1
for more information.
*
*
*
*
*
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards
for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
Flats
6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for
Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
[Revise the text of 6.1 as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to
BPM flat-size pieces meeting the
standards under 301.3.0 and that bear a
unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded
with the correct delivery point routing
code, matching the delivery address and
meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and
708.4.0. The pieces must be part of a
full-service nonpresorted mailing of 50
or more flat-size pieces or part of a fullservice Presorted mailing of at least 300
BPM flats prepared under 365.7.0,
705.8.0, 705.14.0, and 705.24.0. The
barcode discount is not available for
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
17OCP1
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
flats mailed at Presorted DDU prices or
carrier route prices.
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 6.2 in its entirety and
renumber current 6.3 through 6.4 as
new 6.2 through 6.3.]
*
*
*
*
*
500
Additional Mailing Services
503
Extra Services
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise the title of 15.0 as follows:]
15.0
*
Intelligent Mail Barcode Tracing
*
15.1
*
*
*
*
Basic Information
*
15.1.1
*
*
*
General Information
[Revise the text of 15.1.1 as follows:]
Participation in Intelligent Mail
barcode (IMb) Tracing service is
available at no charge without a
subscription. Requirements for
participation in IMb Tracing include:
The use of an IMb on mailpieces entered
as part of a full-service mailing under
705.24.0, the use of a Mailer Identifier
that has been registered (through the
Business Customer Gateway, accessible
on usps.com) to receive scan data, and
verification by the Postal Service that
the IMb as printed meets all applicable
postal standards.
*
*
*
*
*
700
Special Standards
*
*
*
*
24.4
*
*
705 Advanced Preparation and
Special Postage Payment Systems
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise the title of 24.0 as follows:]
24.0 Full-Service Automation
Standards
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with
24.1
Description
* * * [Add a new last sentence at
the end of the current text of 24.1 as
follows:]
Full-service automation mailings may
include automation-compatible pieces
without barcodes, with POSTNET
barcodes, or with Intelligent Mail
barcodes. Mailings of full-service
automation letters must not be
comingled in the same tray with
automation-compatible pieces without
barcodes, with POSTNET barcodes, or
with non-full-service Intelligent Mail
barcodes, and these pieces will not be
used to meet the eligibility standards for
full-service or receive associated
benefits.
[Delete current 24.1.1 and 24.1.2 in
their entirety.]
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:02 Oct 16, 2012
24.2 General Eligibility Standards
[Revise the introductory paragraph of
24.2 as follows:]
First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and
Standard Mail letters and flats and
Bound Printed Matter flats meeting
eligibility requirements for automation
or carrier route prices, except for
Standard Mail ECR saturation flats or
Standard Mail ECR letters paying
nonautomation prices, are eligible for
full-service automation prices. All
pieces entered under the full-service
automation pricing must:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 24.2c as follows:]
c. Be part of a mailing using unique
Intelligent Mail container barcodes on
all destination-entry pallets and other
containers prepared under 8.0 or as part
of a customer/supplier agreement.
Pallets or approved alternate containers,
with unique Intelligent Mail container
barcodes, also must be used whenever a
mailing is entered at the dock of a
USPS-processing facility and meets
minimum container/pallet volume
requirements. A customer/supplier
agreement is authorized with a service
agreement signed by the mailer, the
USPS District Manager, Customer
Service, and the USPS Processing and
Distribution Center manager. The
service agreement contains provisions
regarding mailer and USPS
responsibilities.
*
*
*
*
*
Jkt 229001
Preparation
*
*
*
*
24.4.2 Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
* * * [Revise the second sentence of
24.4.2 as follows:]
Mailing documentation, when
required, must associate each mailpiece
to a corresponding tray or sack, or to a
logical tray or sack, as described in
24.4.4.
*
*
*
*
*
24.4.3 Intelligent Mail Container
Placards
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise the second sentence of 24.4.3
as follows:]
Mailing documentation, when
required, must associate each mailpiece
(and tray or sack, if applicable) to a
corresponding container (or a logical
container) as described in 24.4.4, unless
otherwise authorized by the USPS.
*
*
*
*
*
24.4.4 eDoc
[Revise the text of 24.4.4 as follows:]
Mailers must electronically submit
postage statements and mailing
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
documentation to the PostalOne!
system. Unless otherwise authorized,
documentation must describe how each
mailpiece is linked to a uniquely
identified tray or sack and how each
mailpiece and tray or sack is linked to
a uniquely identified container. Linking
to logical trays, sacks, and containers
via sibling records is an option when
linking to a specific tray, sack, or
container is not feasible. The
documentation also must meet the
requirements in A Guide to Intelligent
Mail for Letters and Flats (at
ribbs.usps.gov). Mailers must transmit
postage statements and documentation
to the PostalOne! system using Mail.dat,
Mail.XML, or Postal Wizard (see 24.5.3),
except that mailers of Periodicals letters
and flats and Bound Printed Matter flats
must electronically submit postage
statements and documentation in all
instances.
*
*
*
*
*
707
Periodicals
*
*
*
*
*
14.0 Barcoded (Automation)
Eligibility
14.1
Basic Standards
[Revise the introductory text of 14.1 as
follows:]
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded
(automation) mailing must meet the fullservice standards in 705.24.0 and:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise the first sentence of item 14.1c
as follows:]
c. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent
Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the
standards in 202.5.0 (for letters), 302.4.0
(for flats), and 708.4.0, either on the
piece or on an insert showing through
a window.
*
*
*
*
*
14.2 Eligibility Standards for FullService Automation Periodicals
[Revise the introductory text of 14.2 as
follows:]
All pieces entered under the fullservice automation standards must:
*
*
*
*
*
[Revise item 14.2b as follows:]
b. Be part of a mailing that meets the
standards in 705.24.0.
*
*
*
*
*
708 Technical Specifications
*
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
*
*
17OCP1
*
*
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 201 / Wednesday, October 17, 2012 / Proposed Rules
6.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray
Labels, Sack Labels, and Container
Placards
6.1
General
6.1.1 Tray and Sack Labels
[Revise the text of 6.1.1 as follows:]
Intelligent Mail tray labels are the
USPS-approved method to encode
routing, content, origin, and mailer
information on trays and sacks.
Intelligent Mail tray labels are designed
for optimum use with Intelligent Mail
barcoded mail and have the capacity to
provide unique identification
throughout postal processing, but are
required to be used on all trays and
sacks in presorted mailings.
*
*
*
*
*
6.2 Specifications for Barcoded Tray
and Sack Labels
*
*
*
*
*
6.2.2 Line 1 (Destination Line)
The destination line must meet these
standards:
a. Placement. The destination line
must be the top line of the label. An
exception is that one line of extraneous
information may appear above the
destination line on tray and sack labels
as provided in 6.3.2, and 6.3.2f. The
destination line must be completely
visible when placed in the label holder.
This visibility is ensured if the
destination line is no less than 1⁄8
(0.125) inch below the top of the label
when the label is cut and prepared.
[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2a, Barcoded 2inch Sack Labels, in its entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2b, Barcoded 1inch Sack Labels, in its entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
6.2.5 Line 3 (Origin Line)
[Revise the first sentence of 6.2.5 as
follows:]
The origin line must appear below the
content line, except as allowed under
6.3.4 and 6.2.5a and 6.2.5b. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
[Delete current 6.3, Additional
Standards—Barcoded 2-Inch Sack
Labels and Barcoded Tray Labels, and
6.4, Additional Standards—Barcoded 1Inch Sack Labels, in their entirety.]
*
*
*
*
*
[Renumber current 6.5 as new 6.3 and
revise the title as follows:]
erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with
6.3 Specific Standards for Intelligent
Mail Tray Labels
6.3.1 Definitions
[Revise the text of renumbered 6.3.1
as follows:]
VerDate Mar<15>2010
15:02 Oct 16, 2012
Jkt 229001
Intelligent Mail tray labels are 2-inch
labels used on trays and sacks to
provide unique identification within
postal processing. 24-digit Intelligent
Mail tray labels include only a 24 digit
barcode printed in International
Symbology Specification (ISS) Code 128
subset C symbology (see Exhibit 6.3.3).
Intelligent Mail tray labels also include
a human readable field designed to
indicate the carrier route for carrier
route mailings, display an ‘‘AUTO’’
indicator text for automation mailings,
or remain blank for nonautomation
mailings. Mailers using Intelligent Mail
tray labels must print labels in the 24digit Intelligent Mail tray label format.
Detailed specifications for the tray label
and barcode formats are at https://
ribbs.usps.gov.
[Delete current Exhibit 6.5.1, 10/24
Transitional Intelligent Mail Tray Label,
in its entirety.]
[Delete current 6.5.2, Transitional
Intelligent Mail Tray Label Format, in its
entirety.]
[Renumber current 6.5.3 through 6.5.7
as new 6.3.2 through 6.3.6.]
*
*
*
*
*
We will publish an appropriate
amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect
these changes if our proposal is
adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012–25551 Filed 10–16–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710–12–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 52
[EPA–R09–OAR–2012–0754; FRL–9740–6]
Revisions to the California State
Implementation Plan, Sacramento
Metropolitan Air Quality Management
Districts
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is proposing to approve
revisions to the Sacramento
Metropolitan Air Quality Management
District (SMAQMD) portion of the
California State Implementation Plan
(SIP). These revisions concern negative
declarations for volatile organic
compound (VOC) source categories for
the SMAQMD. We are proposing to
approve these negative declarations
under the Clean Air Act as amended in
1990 (CAA or the Act).
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
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63781
Any comments on this proposal
must arrive by November 16, 2012.
DATE:
Submit comments,
identified by docket number EPA–R09–
OAR–2012–0754, by one of the
following methods:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal:
www.regulations.gov. Follow the on-line
instructions.
2. Email: steckel.andrew@epa.gov.
3. Mail or deliver: Andrew Steckel
(Air-4), U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, CA 94105–3901.
Instructions: All comments will be
included in the public docket without
change and may be made available
online at www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the comment includes
Confidential Business Information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Information that
you consider CBI or otherwise protected
should be clearly identified as such and
should not be submitted through
www.regulations.gov or email.
www.regulations.gov is an ‘‘anonymous
access’’ system, and EPA will not know
your identity or contact information
unless you provide it in the body of
your comment. If you send email
directly to EPA, your email address will
be automatically captured and included
as part of the public comment. If EPA
cannot read your comment due to
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, EPA may not be
able to consider your comment.
Electronic files should avoid the use of
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
Docket: The index to the docket for
this action is available electronically at
www.regulations.gov and in hard copy
at EPA Region IX, 75 Hawthorne Street,
San Francisco, California. While all
documents in the docket are listed in
the index, some information may be
publicly available only at the hard copy
location (e.g., copyrighted material), and
some may not be publicly available in
either location (e.g., CBI). To inspect the
hard copy materials, please schedule an
appointment during normal business
hours with the contact listed in the FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Cynthia Allen, EPA Region IX, (415)
947–4120, allen.cynthia@epa.gov.
This
proposal addresses the following
negative declarations listed in Table I:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\17OCP1.SGM
17OCP1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 201 (Wednesday, October 17, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63771-63781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-25551]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Implementation of Full-Service Intelligent Mail Requirements for
Automation Prices
AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Postal Service is proposing to revise Mailing Standards of
the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg])
throughout various sections to modify eligibility requirements for
mailers to obtain automation prices for First-Class Mail[supreg],
Standard Mail[supreg], Periodicals[supreg], and Bound Printed
Matter[supreg] when mailing postcards, letters, and flats. Effective
January 2014, use of ``full-service'' Intelligent Mail[supreg] would be
required to obtain automation prices. Additionally, the 10/24
transitional barcoded tray label format would be eliminated and mailers
would be required to use the 24-digit Intelligent Mail barcode
(IMbTM) format on tray, tub, and sack labels.
DATES: We must receive your comments on or before November 16, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. You may inspect and photocopy all written
comments at USPS[supreg] Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW.,
11th Floor N., Washington, DC by appointment only between the hours of
9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday by calling 1-202-268-2906 in
advance. Comments and questions can also be emailed to
mailingstandards@usps.gov using the subject line ``full-service January
2014.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ana Cikowski, email: ana.cikowski@usps.gov, phone: 202-268-8079.
Himesh Patel, email: himesh.a.patel@usps.gov, phone: 703-280-7498.
William Chatfield, email: william.a.chatfield@usps.gov, phone: 202-268-
7278.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 20, 2012, the Postal Service
published an advance notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal
Register (77 FR 23643-23647) to require use of full-service Intelligent
Mail to obtain automation prices for First-Class Mail (FCM), Standard
Mail, Periodicals, and Bound Printed Matter (BPM) when mailing
postcards, letters, and flats.
Background
In January 2009, the Postal Service offered the mailing industry
two Intelligent Mail options for automation discounts: basic-service
and full-service. Currently, a large number of mailers are using these
options and reaping significant benefits and value.
When using the full-service option, mailers are required to: Apply
unique Intelligent Mail barcodes (IMb) to identify each letter,
postcard, and flat mailpiece; individually meet the eligibility
requirements for automation prices according to class and shape; apply
unique Intelligent Mail tray barcodes (IMtb) on trays, tubs, and sacks;
apply unique Intelligent Mail container barcodes (IMcb) on placards for
containers, such as pallets; schedule appointments through Facility
Access and Shipment Tracking (FAST[supreg]) if their mail is accepted
at an origin facility and entered at a downstream USPSTM
processing facility; and use an approved electronic method to transmit
to the Postal Service mailing documentation and postage statements. If
the mailing is being prepared or presented on behalf of
[[Page 63772]]
another entity, the electronic documentation (eDoc) should include
additional information to support the by/for mailing relationships.
Effective January 2014, the requirements relative to the by/for
relationships would be enforced.
We recognize that this proposal would require significant changes
for mailers who currently benefit from automation discounts. Therefore,
the Postal Service is proposing to implement initiatives to limit the
impact on customers who enter small volume mailings, particularly for
those customers who mail infrequently and have limited resources to
adopt new mailing practices. Additional tools would be available for
these mailers, and the associated, simplified requirements are
described further in this notice.
Our proposal would continue the ongoing transformation of data
visibility and evolution of technological innovations. Full-service
Intelligent Mail combines the use of unique scan codes with the
provision of electronic information regarding the makeup and
preparation of mail, which provides high-value services and enables
efficient mail processing.
The strategic vision of the Postal Service is to create 100 percent
visibility in the mail stream by 2014. This vision would provide
mailers with near real-time data that specify the location of
mailpieces within the postal mail stream and the time of delivery for
full-service mailpieces.
Full-service Intelligent Mail would offer numerous advantages to
mailers and the Postal Service.
Advantages for Mailers:
Mailers would be provided with comprehensive information
on the status of mailings as they progress through the postal mail.
Visibility would enable mailers to respond more
effectively to customer inquiries on the status of valuable bills,
statements, catalogs, and publications.
Mailers would have access to free address correction and
tracking information of mailpieces from mail entry to destination.
The mailer's annual mailing fee for permits would be
waived when postage statements contain 90 percent or more of full-
service mailpieces.
Mailers would be allowed to use the ``Mail Anywhere''
model, which allows the use of a single permit at any
PostalOne![supreg] site for mailings containing 90 percent or more of
full-service mailpieces (applies to FCM, Standard Mail, Periodicals,
and BPM).
Mailers would be able to more effectively plan operations,
assess the success of advertising campaigns, and improve customer
interaction.
Advantages for the Postal Service
Visibility into the flow of mail through the postal mail
stream would enable enhanced diagnostics of service performance.
Scan data on containers, trays, and mailpieces would allow
the Postal Service to measure the number of hours and minutes between
operations.
Scan data would allow the Postal Service to identify
operational bottlenecks and continue to improve service for commercial
FCM, Standard Mail, and Periodicals.
The ability to provide real-time alerts to postal
operations would enable them to respond to and avoid potential service
failures.
Advance notification of volumes and makeup of commercial
mail would enable improved resource planning.
Accurate tracking of mail volumes as they move through the
postal network would enable improved management and staffing of
operations.
Simplified mail acceptance processes would increase
productivity and reduce costs.
The ability to measure service performance would be
available for each full-service mailer.
The mailer's use of full-service Intelligent Mail is an integral
part of the Postal Service's ongoing strategy to provide cost-effective
and service-responsive mailing services. Efficient use of postal
resources can be achieved with advance information on content and
makeup of the mail. As mail is processed and sorted, postal sorting
equipment captures volume and destination information. The Postal
Service has built and is refining systems that make information
available to downstream postal facilities for use with operational
planning. The planning data that is enabled through full-service
mailings provides significant opportunities for improvements in
efficiency and service performance. However, when a measurable
percentage of mail (that is prepared and entered by large-volume
commercial mailers and mail preparers) does not provide similar
information, these benefits cannot be fully captured.
Full-service Intelligent Mail would also enable simplification of
the current mail acceptance procedures. With the availability of full-
service mailing data and unique identifiers, the business mail
acceptance procedures would be streamlined by use of an automated
verification process whereby allowing data to be captured on mail
processing and other scanning equipment.
Since the introduction of the full-service Intelligent Mail
requirements, over four years ago, the Postal Service has worked
closely with mailers, software providers, and mail service providers to
simplify, refine, and evolve full-service offerings. Thousands of
mailers, software providers, and mail service providers have
demonstrated the ability to meet the requirements for full-service
Intelligent Mail.
Based on feedback provided by users of full-service Intelligent
Mail, the use of full-service would transform the mailing industry.
Unambiguous data would drive improvements across the broad spectrum of
mailer and postal processes. Mailers who embrace full-service would
thrive from continued use of full-service Intelligent Mail.
Transitioning to Full-Service Intelligent Mail
The Postal Service continues to develop enhancements, simplify
existing tools, streamline the processes for mailers to prepare
mailings, and provide ease of use for small and large mailers to
transition to full-service Intelligent Mail. The Postal Service also
recognizes that there maybe costs for mailers associated with
converting to full-service Intelligent Mail.
In support of the proposal to transition to full-service
Intelligent Mail and the elimination of automation discounts with the
use of POSTNETTM barcodes, the Postal Service proposes to
offer the following self-service tools, process enhancements, on-
boarding simplifications, and postage incentives:
Automated Business Reply Mail Tool--The USPS Automated
Business Reply Mail[supreg] (ABRM) application is an online, self-
service tool that allows Reply Mail customers to create domestic card-,
letter-, and flat-size pieces of Business Reply Mail[supreg]
(BRMTM), Courtesy Reply MailTM
(CRMTM), and Metered Reply MailTM (MRM). ABRM
also creates artwork for card- and letter-size pieces of Qualified
Business Reply MailTM (QBRM). In addition, ABRM provides the
option to create a FIM & Barcode only for CRM and BRM artwork. The ABRM
tool offers a number of features for Reply Mail customers, including
the ability to: Design and create approved USPS camera-ready artwork
with an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb); place the barcode above the
address block or in the barcode clear zone; add an image or logo
related to the mailpiece; allow a third-party vendor or mail service
provider to create artwork for clients through the ABRM tool; download
[[Page 63773]]
artwork designs in PDF and EPS formats; and store mailpieces and logos
in the ABRM library for future use (up to 100MB).
Intelligent Mail Small Business Tool--Intelligent Mail for
Small Business Mailers (IMsb) is an online, self-service tool which
allows a mailer to produce a unique IMb. This online tool is accessible
through the Business Customer Gateway. It is intended for small volume
mailers who enter mailings consisting of 5,000 pieces or fewer pieces
with an annual maximum threshold of 125,000 pieces. The tool may be
used for FCM and Standard Mail letter or flat mailings. The tool allows
the mailer to upload an address file which is then processed for
Delivery Point Validation. Standardized addresses with Intelligent Mail
barcodes are returned in a .pdf format, which may be printed directly
on an envelope or label by the mailer. Mailers are able to print unique
tray labels. Mailers using the tool may qualify for the full-service
Mixed Automated Area Distribution Center (MXD AADC) and Mixed Area
Distribution Center (MXD ADC) automation prices. Postage statements are
submitted electronically through Postage Wizard[supreg].
Simplified On-Boarding Process--To provide ease of use for
full-service mailers, the Postal Service proposes to enhance the
Business Customer Gateway (BCG). These enhancements include the
following: Streamlined sign-up process; simplified steps to request a
service; automatic assignment of Mailer IDs (MIDs); redesigned user
interface, resulting in easier navigation, consolidation of screens,
and contextual help screens; simplification of the Business Service
Administration (BSA) functionality; and restructured validation and
linkage of mailing permits. In addition, the enhancement would allow
for identification of mail service providers as well as the ability to
request MIDs and services on behalf of customers. In the case of small
business users (one user/one account), account creation would be
streamlined by automatically assigning MIDs and multiple services at
the same time. When these proposed simplifications and enhancements are
finalized, detailed information will be communicated to the mailing
industry. Other enhancements to the on-boarding process would include
the following:
--The Mail.dat[supreg] and Mail.XMLTM error messages from
the uploading of eDoc would be standardized to provide explanations of
irregularities more clearly and allow mailers to take corrective
action. This enhancement is underway and scheduled for a release.
--The PostalOne! dashboard is being enhanced by adding a functionality
that would allow mailer-initiated job cancellations, resulting in the
mailer's ability to cancel a job if none of the statements in the job
have been finalized or checked in by a postal acceptance clerk. Also,
if there is more than one statement in a job, all of the statements
associated with the job would be cancelled through this user interface.
Test Environment for Mailers--The Postal Service would
develop a Test Environment for Mailers (TEM) certification process for
software vendors and simplify the on-boarding process for mailers using
certified software. Vendors would have the option to go through the TEM
process by indicating which mailing capabilities are supported by their
software, then completing test scenarios to demonstrate their
software's functionality when generating and submitting eDoc files that
vary by mail preparation requirements. These capabilities would be
tracked by the Postal Service and made available through a published
list consisting of authorized software for mailers. Potential software
users could reference the list to evaluate if the listed software meets
their mailing needs. Mailers would only be required to submit a single
file to TEM when using software that meets the following criteria: The
software is authorized for eDoc and full-service when passed through
the TEM process for vendors for the capabilities that the vendor
supports in production. Mailers using authorized software would submit
a single file to TEM to demonstrate that they are able to use the
software to generate accurate eDoc.
Full-Service Technology Credit--In order to encourage
mailers to convert to full-service Intelligent Mail, the Postal Service
is proposing to offer a ``Full-Service Technology Credit'' (tech
credit). This credit is intended to help offset the investment required
to implement the necessary hardware and software infrastructure changes
to support full-service mailings.
Eligibility Criteria
The mail volume of all ``Permit Holders'' and ``Mailing Agents'',
as identified on a postage statement, would be evaluated across
qualifying permits for each business location/Customer Registration ID
(CRID). Each CRID that exceeds an annual volume of 125,000 qualifying
pieces would be eligible to redeem a tech credit. All CRIDs would be
considered for a tech credit regardless of current full-service status.
To determine the level of qualifying mail volume for each business
location/CRID, the following steps would be taken:
Mail volume associated with each permit as defined in the
``Permit Holder'' and/or ``Mailing Agent'' fields would be evaluated.
Permit types would include:
Permit Imprint
Metered
OMAS Imprint
OMAS Metered
Precancelled Stamp
Periodicals
Ghost.
The following full-service eligible mailings would be
considered as qualifying mail volume:
FCM automation letters, cards, and flats.
Standard Mail automation letters and flats--includes IMb
Enhanced Carrier Route (ECR), except saturation flats.
Periodicals automation/barcoded letters and flats--
includes ECR letters & flats.
BPM barcoded flats.
The mail volume for a one-year period would be used in the
evaluation.
To be considered for the tech credit, permits must have
been opened and business locations (CRIDs) established.
When determining a mailer's qualifying volume, the Postal
Service will consider the ``Permit Holder'' and ``Mailing Agent''
volume for each CRID and use the higher of the two volumes to determine
the amount of the tech credit.
[ssquf] The mail volume of the ``Permit Holder'' for each permit
associated with a CRID would be aggregated.
[ssquf] The mail volume of the ``Mailing Agent'' for each permit
associated with a CRID would be aggregated.
Each CRID that exceeds 125,000 full-service eligible
pieces in annual mail volume (total of all eligible volume from all
eligible permits) would be awarded one tech credit as follows:
125,001-500,000 pieces = $2,000 postage credit.
500,001-2,000,000 pieces = $3,000 postage credit.
2,000,001 + pieces = $5,000 postage credit.
Each business location would be eligible to redeem only
one tech credit.
[ssquf] In the event there are multiple CRIDs identifying the same
business location which have linked permits, the CRID with the highest
eligible volume would receive the tech credit.
[[Page 63774]]
Notification Process
The Postal Service would provide advance notification to the
industry regarding tech credit program status. This messaging would
occur prior to the beginning of the promotion.
Redemption Process
The following credit redemption guidelines would be used:
Any permit linked to a qualified CRID may redeem the tech
credit as a postage credit in mailings that contain 90% or more full-
service pieces.
To apply this postage credit, the permit must be the
paying permit in the mailing (identified as Permit Holder).
The following permit types may be used:
[cir] Permit Imprint.
[cir] Additional Postage (ADDPOS).
[cir] OMAS Imprint.
[cir] OMAS Metered.
[cir] Metered.
[cir] Precancelled Stamp.
[cir] Periodicals.
Mailers may redeem the tech credit through eDoc submission
via Mail.dat or Mail.XML. Postal Wizard submissions would not be
eligible.
Upon submission of an eligible mailing, the tech credit
would be automatically applied in full.
[ssquf] A partial tech credit amount could be applied to statements
if the tech credit amount is greater than the total postage for the
postage statement.
[ssquf] The remaining tech credit amount would be applied to
subsequent statement(s).
The tech credit redemption timeframe is proposed to run
for a one-year period.
When final, further details regarding the ``Full-Service Technology
Credit'' will be available on RIBBSTM at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Summary of Comments and USPS Responses
The Postal Service received 110 comments from a variety of mailers
and mailer associations. The comments that were received in addition to
feedback from the Mailers Technical Advisory Council (MTAC), Postal
Customer Council (PCC), and other outreach efforts, allowed the Postal
Service to develop initiatives that should enable mailers to
efficiently transition to full-service Intelligent Mail.
From the comments that were received, some mailers and mailer
associations indicated that they look forward to embracing ``full-
service'' Intelligent Mail, while others expressed concerns that were
attributed to the five categories listed below:
1. Acceptance of Full-Service Intelligent Mail
Comments:
[ssquf] I think that full-service should be mandatory for the
mailers.
[ssquf] Full-service Intelligent Mail is a streamlined benefit to
mailers and adds a cost-savings to customers.
[ssquf] Shops that do not want to invest and upgrade to full-
service Intelligent Mail probably should not be entering mail anyway.
[ssquf] As long as CONFIRM[supreg] tracking is provided, we are in
acceptance of full-service Intelligent Mail.
[ssquf] I certainly hope that the effective date is fixed and that
the Postal Service doesn't plan to change the date several times. Yes,
there is a lot involved in moving to full-service; however, the Postal
Service has provided advanced notice and ample time to the industry.
Many mailers have already begun preparing for full-service.
[ssquf] We will be ready well in advance of January 2014.
[ssquf] As a requirement for automation discounts, I fully support
the move to full-service Intelligent Mail. We have been successfully
using full-service.
[ssquf] Our company chose to use a third-party vendor and have
experienced ease with implementing full-service Intelligent Mail.
[ssquf] Our company is ready for full-service Intelligent Mail.
Postal Service Responses:
[ssquf] The Postal Service appreciates the positive feedback and is
fully aware of the outstanding contributions rendered by the current
users of full-service Intelligent Mail. These mailers have contributed
to the collective knowledge-base and continue to receive numerous
benefits from participating in the full-service offering. Mailers using
full-service often espouse the significant value of additional data to
drive change in their marketing strategies and have established
additional avenues to acquire new customers. Due to the vital feedback
provided by full-service participants, the Postal Service has a greater
understanding of the needs of mailers and is working to simplify full-
service requirements, which would potentially offer mailers a more
user-friendly experience.
2. Cost/ROI
Comments:
[ssquf] The use of vendors to meet the full-service requirement is
too costly.
[ssquf] Costs to convert to full-service would add up quickly.
[ssquf] It would take years to recoup the return on my investment.
[ssquf] In Postal Service industry, loans are hard to acquire.
[ssquf] The requirement for full-service would cause the loss of my
job.
[ssquf] This new requirement for full-service would bankrupt my
business.
[ssquf] Full-service is advantageous for USPS but does not benefit
the mailer.
Postal Service Responses:
[ssquf] The Postal Service is continuing to research methods to
simplify, streamline, and provide ease of use for small and large
mailers to transition to full-service Intelligent Mail. The industry
has been very responsive in providing feedback to help drive various
strategies that ultimately will achieve full transition to the use of
full-service.
[ssquf] Two primary areas of focus for the Postal Service are as
follows:
--Continuing to build a strong visibility platform.
--Acquiring new users of full-service Intelligent Mail through the use
of the newly proposed ``Full-Service Technology Credit.''
[ssquf] The Postal Service believes that full-service offers
features that would increase the value of the mail by providing mailers
with more current and ``clean'' addresses, gives mailers access to
information about mailings that would enhance marketing strategies,
eliminate unnecessary paperwork, and assist mailers with developing
better tools to acquire new revenue sources. Full-service diagnostic
reports would provide mailers with visibility into the mail stream and
convey pertinent information, such as the number of pieces delivered,
forwarded, and or handled as undeliverable as addressed (UAA).
[ssquf] Another area of focus for USPS is simplification. In
response to industry feedback, USPS is proposing simplification of
full-service processes, which could result in lower costs for mailers
when complying with full-service requirements. As described with this
proposed rule, when entering full-service mailings, the Postal Service
would support capabilities through advanced, thorough communications
and provide simplified on-boarding processes.
[ssquf] A new address correction service (ACS) alternative process,
full-service ACSTM fulfillment, would be in place to allow
mailers to receive records immediately and the billing of non-
qualifying records as they are identified. This fulfillment would
provide the records in the OneCode ACS[reg] format via the Electronic
Product Fulfillment (EPF) server.
[ssquf] With simplification of full-service Intelligent Mail,
mailers would experience many benefits as indicated in the USPS
responses below.
[[Page 63775]]
[ssquf] The Postal Service strongly disagrees that the investment of
full-service is not worth the benefits gained.
3. Complexity
Comments:
[ssquf] Provide me with the tools to effectively comply with this
requirement.
[ssquf] I want to do it myself without the additional costs of a
vendor.
[ssquf] Simplify the process.
[ssquf] Make it easy for mailers to transition.
[ssquf] Do not force me to use a vendor.
[ssquf] Do not phase out the price eligibility for basic-service
Intelligent Mail.
[ssquf] Basic service is sufficient for my company; give mailers an
option.
[ssquf] I'm finding it very difficult to receive passing grades on my
full-service tray labels and pallet placards for Periodicals.
Postal Service Responses:
[ssquf] The Postal Service has taken all suggestions from the mailing
industry under consideration regarding basic-service for Intelligent
Mail and used these suggestions to simplify the full-service offering.
[ssquf] The Postal Service is streamlining and simplifying the full-
service process for mailers.
[ssquf] Mailers who enter fewer than 10,000 pieces per mailing would be
able to use simplified documentation and mail preparation requirements
to qualify for full-service Intelligent Mail.
[ssquf] An IMsb tool was developed and would provide a simplified
method for mailers to obtain a unique IMb for mail pieces and help
mailers to meet the eDoc requirements for simple mailings.
[ssquf] The Postal Service would continue to provide IMtb for mailers
who currently obtain tray labels from the Postal Service Label Print
Center (LPC) in Topeka, Kansas.
[ssquf] Alternative methods of associating mailpieces into handling
units and handling units into containers would be implemented. The
Postal Service plans to extend and expand the use of logical trays/
containers for all mailings when mailers provide at least one sibling
physical record (tray/container) for each logical tray/container;
mailpieces can be associated to the logical tray.
[ssquf] Information about visibility, start-the-clock, and mail data
quality errors would be provided to the mail preparer or mail owner as
identified in eDoc.
[ssquf] The complexity for mail service providers who work with
multiple small mail owners would be reduced, because they would not
have to track volume and the assigned IMb for each mail owner when the
volume is below a specific threshold.
[ssquf] The on-boarding and submission processes for mailers would
be simplified.
[ssquf] The risk of error from incorrect data would be mitigated by
verifying information for MIDs and CRIDs prior to eDoc submission.
[ssquf] The Mail.dat and Mail.XML error messages from the uploading
of eDoc would be standardized to provide explanations of irregularities
more clearly, which would allow mailers to better understand the
specific errors encountered and take corrective action.
[ssquf] The process for mailers to initiate job cancellations
through the PostalOne! dashboard would be improved.
[ssquf] The Testing Environment for Mailers would be simplified.
[ssquf] Effective September 2012, USPS provided new options for the
preparation of pallets, trays, and sacks of FCM and Standard Mail
allowing mailers to: Place trays or sacks of residual single-piece FCM
letters and flats on the origin sectional center facility (SCF) pallet;
place trays or sacks of Standard Mail letters and flats paid at single-
piece FCM prices on the mixed network distribution center (NDC) pallet;
and combine FCM or Standard Mail with different payment methods in a
single mailing and place trays of single-piece letters or flats on a
specified pallet after USPS verification is completed. Additionally,
the Postal Service is adding human-readable text to content identifier
number (CIN) codes to accommodate use with single-piece mailpieces.
[ssquf] All pertinent USPS documents would be revised to clarify
when container placards are required.
[ssquf] Containers with placards would not be required when
mailings consist of the following:
--A small volume mailing of FCM, Standard Mail, Periodicals, and BPM
entered directly at the dock of a USPS processing facility or
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU), as follows: Less than 72 linear feet--
6 full layers of letter trays; 24 linear feet--3 full layers of tubs;
or 500 pounds of bundles or sacks.
--A small volume mailing of Standard Mail, Periodicals, and BPM entered
at a BMEU, as follows: Less than 72 linear feet--6 full layers of
letter trays; 24 linear feet--3 full layers of tubs; or 500 pounds of
bundles or sacks.
--A FCM mailing entered at a BMEU not prepared under a Customer
Supplier Agreement (CSA).
--Mail that is not presented in a container with an IMcb and is entered
at a facility other than a BMEU may not receive a Start-the-Clock scan
and would be excluded from service measurement.
4. Clarity and Awareness
Comments:
[ssquf] January 2014 is too soon to negotiate budget allowances.
[ssquf] PostalOne! is not ready to handle all full-service
mailings.
[ssquf] The Postal Service is not leading the way.
[ssquf] The tools for reports and tracking capabilities must be
improved quickly.
Postal Service Responses:
[ssquf] As described earlier in this proposed rule, plans are
underway to enhance the BCG by providing a more user-friendly
experience.
[ssquf] Mailers entering simple mailings of fewer than 10,000
mailpieces would not be required to provide information on mailpieces
that are nested in trays and containers. Additionally, mailers would be
allowed to use the same unique piece sequence ID on all mailpieces
within a mailing.
[ssquf] Additionally, the Postal Service plans to use an IMb on all
mailings and internal operational printing.
[ssquf] The Postal Service is investing in short- and long-term
enhancements to its PostalOne! infrastructure and conducting ongoing
focus groups and workshops to glean suggestions from the mailing
industry on future improvement opportunities.
5. General Comments
Comments:
[ssquf] If automation and full-service Intelligent Mail barcodes
are required, it is essential that USPS communicates to the industry
its plans around consequences for mail quality errors.
[ssquf] As specified with MERLIN, would the existing automation
error thresholds and policies still apply for full-service mailings?
[ssquf] What price consequences would be assessed for mailings that
do not meet full-service qualifications?
[ssquf] How would full-service failures be assessed and monitored?
[ssquf] Where would the determination of full-service compliance be
made--at induction or further downstream?
[ssquf] Would mail service providers be permitted to rework mail
that is not deemed in compliance with full-service requirements?
Postal Service Responses:
[ssquf] Concerning mail quality errors, the Postal Service would
allow adequate time for mailers to review and become familiar with mail
data quality reporting and take corrective action.
[ssquf] We are working with the mailing industry to define and
develop a
[[Page 63776]]
seamless acceptance process that would leverage the data which is
provided through full-service and eDoc.
[ssquf] The Postal Service endeavors to streamline the acceptance
and verification process.
[ssquf] Until the Postal Service fully embraces a seamless
environment, existing thresholds and policies would be maintained. Any
changes to those thresholds would be defined collaboratively with the
industry to mutually establish and refine policies.
[ssquf] The Postal Service would continue to work with the industry
to develop procedures and expect that monitoring would be provided
through MicroStrategy reports designed specifically to provide mailers
and the Postal Service with the necessary data to understand mail
quality issues.
[ssquf] The seamless concept would allow verification to be
performed at points of induction through data captured from handheld
scanners and mail processing equipment.
[ssquf] Concerning the mailer's ability to rework mail, under
seamless acceptance, data captured at induction and from mail
processing equipment would be validated against eDoc and reported
through seamless acceptance reporting.
Comment:
[ssquf] To handle post list processing, this transition would cost
mail houses additional funds in software upgrades. Currently, the mail
house is able to change the postage statements after the job is
produced (such as tray or sack counts) if what was used is different
than what the qualification report requires. However, when full-service
is implemented, unless mailers have post-processing software, we would
not be able to change the Mail.dat file after the mail has been
prepared. The Post Office should provide this post-processing
capability.
Postal Service Response:
[ssquf] The Postal Service is aware of the mailer's need to modify
files after submission, and we have been working with industry
representatives to identify options to make this available. A new
functionality would be deployed to allow the mailer to delete a non-
finalized job from the PostalOne! dashboard and resubmit the file
without having to rename the file.
Comment:
[ssquf] The switch to full-service is an onerous task that requires
mailer service providers to submit a large amount of additional data.
Also, it requires each of my customers to have their own CRID. Today,
my customers come to me specifically, because they do not want to have
to deal with the Post Office and all of the requirements that are in
place to prepare a proper mailing. If mail owners are required to get
involved with the process of applying for ID numbers and accounts with
the Post Office, then you are reducing the value of the mail houses,
which are your most valuable partners.
Postal Service Response:
[ssquf] The Postal Service has several options for acquisition of
CRIDS/MIDs in bulk by a mail service provider using an automated XML
process or manual Excel-based request. Our RIBBS Web page has documents
to assist in determining which option would be more suitable. A link to
the page is provided below. Additionally, the Postal Service continues
to explore options to simplify the use of full-service Intelligent Mail
and evaluate the concerns of mailers. Visit our RIBBS Web page at
https://ribbs.usps.gov/index.cfm?page=intellmailmailidapp.
Comment:
[ssquf] The full-service Intelligent Mail TEM is a long, time-
consuming process. I am significantly concerned about the effort and
time commitment to transition to full-service, while still running my
business.
Postal Service Response:
[ssquf] The Postal Service has recently taken action to simplify
the testing requirements for individual mailers. A process was
developed to certify a vendor's software based on specific capabilities
for which the software vendor has applied. The vision is for individual
mailers/users of the certified software to collapse multiple
submissions into a single submission to access the testing environment.
Examination of the actual data submitted for the initial physical
mailings would return feedback to the mailer on the verifications
performed.
Requirements for Full-Service Intelligent Mail
Intelligent Mail Barcodes
Mailpiece barcode. The IMb on letter and flat mailpieces
encodes up to 31-digits of mailpiece data into 65 vertical bars. The
IMb contains additional fields that encode ancillary services, identify
the mailer and the class of mail, and allow unique numbering/
serialization of the mailpiece. The Postal Service would issue a unique
MID to each mailer using full-service Intelligent Mail, and the USPS-
assigned MID must be included in the IMb. Except with simple mailings
as described above in this notice, mailers are required to uniquely
number each mailpiece in a mailing and not reuse any of the numbers for
a period of 45 days from the date of mailing.
Tray barcode. An IMtb is required on letter trays, flat
trays and sacks. Unlike the 10-digit tray barcode containing only
routing information that is used currently, the 24-digit IMtb includes
additional fields to identify the mailer and uniquely number each tray,
tub, or sack. The mailer's USPS-assigned MID must be included in the
IMtb. Mailers are required to uniquely number each tray or sack in a
mailing and not reuse any of the numbers for a period of 45 days from
the date of mailing. Pieces inside each tray must be electronically
linked or nested to the IMtb.
Container barcode. An IMcb is required on all containers
used to transport and enter mail at postal processing centers, such as
pallets, all purpose containers (APCs), rolling stock, and gaylords,
except certain small volume and FCM mailings. This 21-digit IMcb
includes fields to identify the mailer and uniquely number each
container. Mailers must include their USPS-assigned MID in the IMcb.
Mailers are required to uniquely number each container in a mailing and
not reuse any of the numbers for a period of 45 days from the date of
mailing. Trays inside the container must be electronically linked or
nested to the IMcb. When automation mailings are not required to be
containerized (too small to require a pallet or rolling stock), an IMcb
would not be required on placards nor would submission of IMcb records
be required in eDoc.
Intelligent Mail Tray Barcodes
Starting in January 2014, when mailings are entered and full-
service automation prices are claimed, the use of tray labels bearing
24-digit IMtb would be required. An IMtb contains the following
information:
ZIP Code\TM:\ A 5-digit ZIP Code used to identify the
destination of the tray or sack.
Content Identifier Number (CIN): Describes tray or sack
content, including presort level and class.
Content Label Source (L SRC): Designates whether tray,
tub, or sack contents are automation compatible.
Mailer ID: A 6- or 9-digit MID assigned by the Postal
Service for use in the Intelligent Mail barcodes.
Serial Number: A mailer would use this field to uniquely
identify individual trays, tubs, or sacks. If a 6-digit MID is
assigned, the mailer would have 8 digits to uniquely identify the
handling units. If a 9-digit MID is assigned, the mailer would have 5
digits to identify the handling units. To participate in the
[[Page 63777]]
full-service option, the Serial Number field is populated with a unique
number for each handling unit (tray or sack) in the mailing. For 45
days from the date of mailing, these serial numbers must remain unique.
Label Type: Indicates MID field length.
To access automation prices through the full-service option,
mailers would be required to populate all fields in the IMtb and
include a unique serial number.
To view the final specifications and detailed information on the
IMtb, access RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Intelligent Mail Container Barcodes
Mailers typically label containers of mail deposited with the
Postal Service. For full-service, mailers must apply a unique IMcb to
container placards and keep the barcode unique for at least 45 days
from the date of mailing. This IMcb includes fields to identify the
mailer and uniquely identify each container. To comply with the full-
service standards, mailers must apply placards to all containers such
as pallets, APCs, rolling stock, and gaylords.
The IMcb has two formats. The format a mailer uses depends upon the
MID assigned by the Postal Service.
The IMcb label specifications are available in two physical sizes
for the IMcb barcode labels: One is the 8'' min x 11'' format available
on RIBBS, and the other size is the 4''x7'' self adhesive format, also
available on RIBBS.
Application ID (Appl ID): ``99'' indicates the source of
the barcode.
Type Indicator: ``M'' indicates a mailer-generated
barcode.
Mailer ID: A 6- or 9-digit MID assigned by the Postal
Service for use in the IMb.
Serial Number: A mailer would use this field to uniquely
identify individual containers. If a 6-digit MID is assigned, the
mailer would have 12 digits to uniquely identify the containers. If a
9-digit MID is assigned, the mailer would have 9 digits to identify the
containers. To participate in the full-service option, the serial
number field is populated with a unique number for each container in
the mailing. These unique serial numbers must not be reused for 45 days
from the date of mailing. To access the automation prices through the
full-service option, mailers would be required to populate all fields
in the IMcb to include a unique serial number. To view the final
specifications and detailed information on the IMcb, access RIBBS at
https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Appointment Scheduling
All mailers whose mail is verified at a DMU/BMEU and transported by
the mailer or their agent to a USPS processing facility, including
mailings entered at origin and plant-verified drop shipments (PVDS),
would be required to schedule appointments using the FAST system at
postal facilities where applicable. Mailers may schedule appointments
online using the FAST Web site or they may submit appointment requests
through PostalOne! FAST Web Services using the Mail.XML specification.
For improved service performance measurement, visibility, and
operational planning, the Postal Service recommends that mailers link
their IMcb to FAST appointments. Mailers must provide container
barcodes as part of the stand-alone content creation, appointment
creation, and update processes through PostalOne! FAST Web Services.
Mailers can also receive close-out data through FAST online reports or
PostalOne! FAST Web Services.
Electronic Documentation
By submitting documents electronically, mailers are able to manage
mailing data more effectively and avoid the creation of paper-based
forms. Additionally, submission of documents electronically enables the
Postal Service to capture efficiencies.
When entering full-service mailings, eDoc is required. A mailer's
eDoc identifies the unique IMb applied to each mailpiece, tray, tub,
sack, and container; it describes how mailpieces are linked to handling
units, such as trays, tubs, and sacks; and identifies how mailpieces
and handling units are linked to containers. Additionally, eDoc
identifies spoilage or shortage of pieces in a mailing, the preparer of
the mailing, and the mailer for whom the mailing is prepared (i.e.,
Mail Owner). Mail Owner identification is required for all pieces in a
full-service mailing.
The eDoc is transmitted to PostalOne! and used for verification,
acceptance, payment, service performance measurement, and induction
planning and processing. Also, PostalOne! can use this information to
automate postage statement generation and payment processing.
PostalOne! has the capability to provide mailers with access to their
mailing documentation and financial transaction information 24 hours a
day, 7 days a week. The PostalOne! system translates the customer-
generated electronic information into postage statements and supporting
documentation, such as qualification and container reports, which are
used for verification, acceptance, and induction processes.
Mailings With Fewer Than 10,000 Pieces
Except mailings consisting of letter- and flat-size Periodicals and
BPM flats, full-service mailings with fewer than 10,000 pieces do not
require the submission of eDoc--only an electronic postage statement is
required. These mailings may be electronically submitted using Postal
Wizard, Mail.XML, or Mail.dat.
For mailings of fewer than 10,000 pieces, when postage is affixed
to each piece at the correct price or each piece is of identical weight
and the mailpieces are separated by price, the serial number field of
each IMb can be populated with a mailing serial number that is unique
to the mailing but common to all pieces in the mailing. This unique
mailing serial number must not be reused for a period of 45 days from
the date of mailing. Except mailers of full-service Periodicals letters
and flats and BPM flats, mailers who enter such mailings are not
required to submit eDoc for the full-service option, only an electronic
postage statement. Unique mailing serial numbers must be populated in
the Postal Wizard entry screen field or in the Mail.XML messages.
Mailers must populate the serial number field of all Intelligent Mail
tray or sack labels, and Intelligent Mail container barcodes (when
mailings are containerized) with the unique mailing serial number.
Postal Wizard cannot be used with full-service Periodicals and BPM
mailings, even if under 10,000 pieces; Postal Wizard does not support
adding the MID or the serial number(s) for these mailings. It should
also be noted, for full-service mailings using the Postal Wizard, only
the owner of the mailing permit will receive start-the-clock feedback.
Mailings With 10,000 Pieces or Greater
When full-service mailings with 10,000 pieces or greater are
entered, mailers are required to use Mail.dat or Mail.XML to
electronically transmit mailing documentation and postage statements.
eDoc must contain information about the unique ID that is applied to
the mailpieces, placards, trays, tubs, sacks, and containers. Also, the
information must describe how mailpieces are linked to handling units
and how mailpieces and handling units are linked to containers.
In addition, when mailings are co-palletized, co-mingled, or
combined in-house or at a different plant, eDoc that outlines the
linkage among associated
[[Page 63778]]
containers, trays, tubs, and sacks would be required.
Submitting eDoc
The three methods for submitting eDoc are described as follows:
Mail.dat: Mail.dat serves as a medium for electronic data exchange
and is part of the overall PostalOne! application and provides
customers the capability to electronically submit mailing documentation
over a secure connection. Mail.dat uses industry-standard electronic
file formats to facilitate communication. Mailing information is used
to generate documentation to support verification, payment, and
induction processes. Mail.dat specifications are available on RIBBS at
https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Mail.XML: The Mail.XML is an overarching communication
specification that allows mailers to communicate eDoc and manage
appointments with the Postal Service, while enabling it to provide
quality, address correction, induction, and visibility information back
to mailers. Mail.XML can also be used to communicate between mailers
and consolidators/transporters. Mail.XML is part of the overall
PostalOne! application that enables a just-in-time connection (send
information when you are ready to share). The Mail.XML Web Service uses
a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to submit information in an
Extensible Markup Language (XML) format that ensures data are sent and
received by applications written in various languages and deployed on
various platforms. Mailing information is sent through Mail.XML to the
PostalOne! system where the information is stored and used to generate
documentation to support verification and payment. Mail.XML
specifications are available on RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Postal Wizard: The Postal Wizard is an online tool that allows
mailers to securely enter their postage statement information using
PostalOne! mailers may easily access Postal Wizard through the Business
Customer Gateway at https://gateway.usps.com.
Postal Wizard verifies completed information for an online postage
statement and automatically populates the permit holder section of the
postage statement based on the account number provided. It guides the
user through items needed to complete the statement. Postal Wizard
automatically calculates postage and validates submitted information.
Once a postage statement is completed online, the electronic statement
is submitted directly to the acceptance unit.
For detailed information about electronic mailing options, access
RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Additional Mailing Information Available With Full-Service
Information on mailpiece quality and visibility is available
through the online USPS BCG tool and PostalOne! Web Services
(Mail.XML). Mailers can query the information or obtain an automated
subscription. As part of the full-service program, the Postal Service
will be making the following information available: Container and tray
induction and processing scans, IMb tracing bundle and piece scans;
start-the-clock information; address correction data; and quality and
documentation error reporting information.
Intelligent Mail Barcode Embedded Data:
Full-service unique Intelligent Mail barcodes must be
embedded with the following data: Barcode Identifier and OEL
information (if printed on the mailpiece), Service Type Identifier
(showing class of mail), Mailer Identifier, Unique Serial Number, and
Delivery Point Routing Code (11-digit).
Barcode Identifier: The barcode ID is a 2-digit field
reserved to encode the presort identification printed in human-readable
form on the Optional Endorsement Line (OEL). Should be left as ``00''
if an OEL is not printed on the mailpiece, except for automation-rate
eligible flat mail with an optional endorsement line, where the IMb
must contain OEL coding corresponding to the correct sortation level of
each piece.
Service Type Identifier: The service type identifier
(STID) indicates class of mail and requested special services such as
scan information or ACS.
Mailer Identifier: The MID is a mandatory 6- or 9-digit
identifier of the mail owner/mailing agent that is assigned by the
Postal Service based upon documented historical mail volume of the
owner/agent.
Serial Number: The serial number is complementary with the
MID for a combined total of 15 digits, which leaves the mailer/agent
with 6 or 9 digits for unique mailpiece identification. A combination
of the MID and serial number within a mail class must not be reused
within 45 days of the mailing date.
Delivery Point Routing Code: The delivery point routing
code describes the 5-, 9-, or 11-digit field that identifies the
delivery ZIP Code data in the address.
To view final specifications and detailed information on the IMb,
access RIBBS at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
Although the USPS is exempt from the notice and comment
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act [5 U.S.C of 553(b),
(c)] regarding proposed rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), we invite
public comments on the following proposed revisions to Mailing
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual
(DMM), incorporated by reference in the Code of Federal Regulations.
See 39 CFR Part 111.
List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111
Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 is proposed to be 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); 13 U.S.C. 301-307; 18 U.S.C. 1692-
1737; 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:
Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail
Manual (DMM)
* * * * *
200 Commercial Letters and Cards
* * * * *
230 First-Class Mail
233 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
Letters
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail Letters
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 as follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation mailing must meet full-
service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise item 5.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with
the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address
and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece
or on an insert showing through a window.
* * * * *
[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and renumber current 5.3
through 5.5 as new 5.2 through 5.4.]
* * * * *
[[Page 63779]]
240 Standard Mail
243 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Enhanced Carrier Route
Standard Mail Letters
6.1 General Enhanced Carrier Route Standards
* * * * *
6.1.2 Basic Eligibility
All pieces in an Enhanced Carrier Route or Nonprofit Enhanced
Carrier Route Standard Mail mailing must:
* * * * *
[Revise item 6.1.2g as follows:]
g. Meet the requirements for automation letters in 201.3.0 and bear
an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the correct
delivery point routing code matching the delivery address and meeting
the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, except for letters with
simplified addresses or as provided in 6.1.2h. Letters mailed at
automation carrier route (basic, high density, or saturation) prices
must be in a mailing entered under full-service Intelligent Mail
standards in 705.24.0. Pieces prepared with a simplified address format
are exempt from the full-service, automation-compatibility, and barcode
requirements.
* * * * *
6.4 High Density Enhanced Carrier Route Standards
6.4.1 Additional Eligibility Standards for High Density Prices
[Revise the text of 6.4.1 as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards in 6.1, high density
letter-size mailpieces must be in a full carrier route tray or in a
carrier route bundle of 10 or more pieces prepared under 245.6.0.
Except for pieces with a simplified address, only nonautomation high
density letter prices apply when mailpieces are not: Barcoded with an
Intelligent Mail barcode, automation-compatible, and part of a full-
service mailing under 705.24.0.
* * * * *
6.5 Saturation ECR Standards
6.5.1 Additional Eligibility Standards for Saturation Prices
[Revise the text of 6.5.1 as follows:]
In addition to the eligibility standards in 6.1, saturation letter-
size mailpieces must be in a full carrier route tray or in a carrier
route bundle of 10 or more pieces prepared under 245.6.0. Except for
pieces with a simplified address, only nonautomation saturation letter
prices apply when mailpieces are not: barcoded with an Intelligent Mail
barcode, automation-compatible, and part of a full-service mailing
under 705.24.0.
* * * * *
7.0 Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 as follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail
automation mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise item 7.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with
the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address
and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece
or on an insert showing through a window.
* * * * *
[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and renumber current 7.3
through 7.6 as new 7.2 through 7.5.]
* * * * *
300 Commercial Flats
* * * * *
330 First-Class Mail
333 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
5.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
Flats
5.1 Basic Standards for Automation First-Class Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 5.1 as follows:]
All pieces in a First-Class Mail automation flats mailing must meet
full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise item 5.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with
the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address
and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece
or on an insert showing through a window.
* * * * *
[Delete current 5.2 in its entirety and renumber current 5.3
through 5.5 as new 5.2 through 5.4.]
* * * * *
340 Standard Mail
343 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
7.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail Flats
7.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Automation Standard Mail
[Revise the introductory text of 7.1 as follows:]
All pieces in a Regular Standard Mail or Nonprofit Standard Mail
automation mailing must meet full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise item 7.1e as follows:]
e. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with
the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address
and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0, either on the piece
or on an insert showing through a window.
* * * * *
[Delete current 7.2 in its entirety and renumber current 7.3
through 7.4 as new 7.2 through 7.3.]
* * * * *
360 Bound Printed Matter
363 Prices and Eligibility
* * * * *
4.0 Price Eligibility for Bound Printed Matter Flats
4.1 Price Eligibility
* * * Price categories are as follows:
* * * * *
[Revise item 4.1d as follows:]
d. Barcoded Discount--Flats. The barcoded discount applies to BPM
flats that meet the requirements for automation flats in 301.3.0 and
bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with the
correct delivery point routing code and are part of a full-service
mailing under 705.24.0. See 6.1 for more information.
* * * * *
6.0 Additional Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
Flats
6.1 Basic Eligibility Standards for Barcoded Bound Printed Matter
[Revise the text of 6.1 as follows:]
The barcode discount applies only to BPM flat-size pieces meeting
the standards under 301.3.0 and that bear a unique Intelligent Mail
barcode encoded with the correct delivery point routing code, matching
the delivery address and meeting the standards in 302.5.0 and 708.4.0.
The pieces must be part of a full-service nonpresorted mailing of 50 or
more flat-size pieces or part of a full-service Presorted mailing of at
least 300 BPM flats prepared under 365.7.0, 705.8.0, 705.14.0, and
705.24.0. The barcode discount is not available for
[[Page 63780]]
flats mailed at Presorted DDU prices or carrier route prices.
* * * * *
[Delete current 6.2 in its entirety and renumber current 6.3
through 6.4 as new 6.2 through 6.3.]
* * * * *
500 Additional Mailing Services
503 Extra Services
* * * * *
[Revise the title of 15.0 as follows:]
15.0 Intelligent Mail Barcode Tracing
* * * * *
15.1 Basic Information
* * * * *
15.1.1 General Information
[Revise the text of 15.1.1 as follows:]
Participation in Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb) Tracing service is
available at no charge without a subscription. Requirements for
participation in IMb Tracing include: The use of an IMb on mailpieces
entered as part of a full-service mailing under 705.24.0, the use of a
Mailer Identifier that has been registered (through the Business
Customer Gateway, accessible on usps.com) to receive scan data, and
verification by the Postal Service that the IMb as printed meets all
applicable postal standards.
* * * * *
700 Special Standards
* * * * *
705 Advanced Preparation and Special Postage Payment Systems
* * * * *
[Revise the title of 24.0 as follows:]
24.0 Full-Service Automation Standards
24.1 Description
* * * [Add a new last sentence at the end of the current text of
24.1 as follows:]
Full-service automation mailings may include automation-compatible
pieces without barcodes, with POSTNET barcodes, or with Intelligent
Mail barcodes. Mailings of full-service automation letters must not be
comingled in the same tray with automation-compatible pieces without
barcodes, with POSTNET barcodes, or with non-full-service Intelligent
Mail barcodes, and these pieces will not be used to meet the
eligibility standards for full-service or receive associated benefits.
[Delete current 24.1.1 and 24.1.2 in their entirety.]
24.2 General Eligibility Standards
[Revise the introductory paragraph of 24.2 as follows:]
First-Class Mail, Periodicals, and Standard Mail letters and flats
and Bound Printed Matter flats meeting eligibility requirements for
automation or carrier route prices, except for Standard Mail ECR
saturation flats or Standard Mail ECR letters paying nonautomation
prices, are eligible for full-service automation prices. All pieces
entered under the full-service automation pricing must:
* * * * *
[Revise item 24.2c as follows:]
c. Be part of a mailing using unique Intelligent Mail container
barcodes on all destination-entry pallets and other containers prepared
under 8.0 or as part of a customer/supplier agreement. Pallets or
approved alternate containers, with unique Intelligent Mail container
barcodes, also must be used whenever a mailing is entered at the dock
of a USPS-processing facility and meets minimum container/pallet volume
requirements. A customer/supplier agreement is authorized with a
service agreement signed by the mailer, the USPS District Manager,
Customer Service, and the USPS Processing and Distribution Center
manager. The service agreement contains provisions regarding mailer and
USPS responsibilities.
* * * * *
24.4 Preparation
* * * * *
24.4.2 Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
* * * [Revise the second sentence of 24.4.2 as follows:]
Mailing documentation, when required, must associate each mailpiece
to a corresponding tray or sack, or to a logical tray or sack, as
described in 24.4.4.
* * * * *
24.4.3 Intelligent Mail Container Placards
* * * * *
[Revise the second sentence of 24.4.3 as follows:]
Mailing documentation, when required, must associate each mailpiece
(and tray or sack, if applicable) to a corresponding container (or a
logical container) as described in 24.4.4, unless otherwise authorized
by the USPS.
* * * * *
24.4.4 eDoc
[Revise the text of 24.4.4 as follows:]
Mailers must electronically submit postage statements and mailing
documentation to the PostalOne! system. Unless otherwise authorized,
documentation must describe how each mailpiece is linked to a uniquely
identified tray or sack and how each mailpiece and tray or sack is
linked to a uniquely identified container. Linking to logical trays,
sacks, and containers via sibling records is an option when linking to
a specific tray, sack, or container is not feasible. The documentation
also must meet the requirements in A Guide to Intelligent Mail for
Letters and Flats (at ribbs.usps.gov). Mailers must transmit postage
statements and documentation to the PostalOne! system using Mail.dat,
Mail.XML, or Postal Wizard (see 24.5.3), except that mailers of
Periodicals letters and flats and Bound Printed Matter flats must
electronically submit postage statements and documentation in all
instances.
* * * * *
707 Periodicals
* * * * *
14.0 Barcoded (Automation) Eligibility
14.1 Basic Standards
[Revise the introductory text of 14.1 as follows:]
All pieces in a Periodicals barcoded (automation) mailing must meet
the full-service standards in 705.24.0 and:
* * * * *
[Revise the first sentence of item 14.1c as follows:]
c. Bear an accurate unique Intelligent Mail barcode encoded with
the correct delivery point routing code, matching the delivery address
and meeting the standards in 202.5.0 (for letters), 302.4.0 (for
flats), and 708.4.0, either on the piece or on an insert showing
through a window.
* * * * *
14.2 Eligibility Standards for Full-Service Automation Periodicals
[Revise the introductory text of 14.2 as follows:]
All pieces entered under the full-service automation standards
must:
* * * * *
[Revise item 14.2b as follows:]
b. Be part of a mailing that meets the standards in 705.24.0.
* * * * *
708 Technical Specifications
* * * * *
[[Page 63781]]
6.0 Standards for Barcoded Tray Labels, Sack Labels, and Container
Placards
6.1 General
6.1.1 Tray and Sack Labels
[Revise the text of 6.1.1 as follows:]
Intelligent Mail tray labels are the USPS-approved method to encode
routing, content, origin, and mailer information on trays and sacks.
Intelligent Mail tray labels are designed for optimum use with
Intelligent Mail barcoded mail and have the capacity to provide unique
identification throughout postal processing, but are required to be
used on all trays and sacks in presorted mailings.
* * * * *
6.2 Specifications for Barcoded Tray and Sack Labels
* * * * *
6.2.2 Line 1 (Destination Line)
The destination line must meet these standards:
a. Placement. The destination line must be the top line of the
label. An exception is that one line of extraneous information may
appear above the destination line on tray and sack labels as provided
in 6.3.2, and 6.3.2f. The destination line must be completely visible
when placed in the label holder. This visibility is ensured if the
destination line is no less than \1/8\ (0.125) inch below the top of
the label when the label is cut and prepared.
[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2a, Barcoded 2-inch Sack Labels, in its
entirety.]
* * * * *
[Delete Exhibit 6.2.2b, Barcoded 1-inch Sack Labels, in its
entirety.]
* * * * *
6.2.5 Line 3 (Origin Line)
[Revise the first sentence of 6.2.5 as follows:]
The origin line must appear below the content line, except as
allowed under 6.3.4 and 6.2.5a and 6.2.5b. * * *
* * * * *
[Delete current 6.3, Additional Standards--Barcoded 2-Inch Sack
Labels and Barcoded Tray Labels, and 6.4, Additional Standards--
Barcoded 1-Inch Sack Labels, in their entirety.]
* * * * *
[Renumber current 6.5 as new 6.3 and revise the title as follows:]
6.3 Specific Standards for Intelligent Mail Tray Labels
6.3.1 Definitions
[Revise the text of renumbered 6.3.1 as follows:]
Intelligent Mail tray labels are 2-inch labels used on trays and
sacks to provide unique identification within postal processing. 24-
digit Intelligent Mail tray labels include only a 24 digit barcode
printed in International Symbology Specification (ISS) Code 128 subset
C symbology (see Exhibit 6.3.3). Intelligent Mail tray labels also
include a human readable field designed to indicate the carrier route
for carrier route mailings, display an ``AUTO'' indicator text for
automation mailings, or remain blank for nonautomation mailings.
Mailers using Intelligent Mail tray labels must print labels in the 24-
digit Intelligent Mail tray label format. Detailed specifications for
the tray label and barcode formats are at https://ribbs.usps.gov.
[Delete current Exhibit 6.5.1, 10/24 Transitional Intelligent Mail
Tray Label, in its entirety.]
[Delete current 6.5.2, Transitional Intelligent Mail Tray Label
Format, in its entirety.]
[Renumber current 6.5.3 through 6.5.7 as new 6.3.2 through 6.3.6.]
* * * * *
We will publish an appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to
reflect these changes if our proposal is adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012-25551 Filed 10-16-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P
