[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-17580]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: July 20, 1994]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111

 

Revisions to Standards for Walk-Sequenced Bulk Third-Class Mail

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule will amend the standards for walk-sequence 
rate mail to require an identifying marking on each piece.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed or delivered to Manager, 
Advertising Mail, USPS Headquarters, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 
Washington, DC 20260-2412. Copies of all written comments will be 
available for inspection and photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, in Room 5540 at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph D. Moeller, (202) 268-2660.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service uses the In-Office Cost 
System (IOCS) and the Carrier Cost System (CCS) as tools to develop 
cost information for each class and subclass of mail, and for special 
services. This information is used to develop proposals for new postal 
rates and to assist in management evaluation of new rate structures. 
The IOCS uses work sampling to provide data for attributing labor cost 
to each class, subclass, and special service. The CCS is used to 
collect data regarding the volume of each type of mail on sampled 
delivery routes. These data are used to assign delivery costs to the 
pertinent categories of mail.
    In order for the IOCS and CCS to be used to examine the costs of 
distinct groupings of mail, each piece in the grouping must have a 
distinctive marking. When an individual sample is conducted, 
information regarding markings on the mailpiece is recorded. To better 
quantify the value of mailer walk-sequencing, the Postal Service would 
like to track the cost of third-class pieces claiming the 125-piece and 
saturation walk-sequence rates using IOCS and CCS. Currently this is 
not possible because walk-sequenced mail can be identified as such 
simply by including a facing slip with the phrase ``WALK-SEQUENCE 
CARRIER ROUTE MAIL'' on the top of each package. The proposed change 
would require that each individual piece contain a ``WS'' marking 
either on the carrier route identification line or as part of the 
carrier route presort endorsement. Although facing slips would still be 
allowed, they would no longer fulfill the requirement for identifying 
the mail as walk-sequenced.
    Although exempt from the notice and comment requirements of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) regarding proposed 
rulemaking by 39 U.S.C. 410(a), the Postal Service invites comments on 
the following proposed revisions of the DMM, incorporated by reference 
in the Code of Federal Regulations. See 39 CFR Part 111.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Postal Service.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

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

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

    2. Amend Domestic Mail Manual M304, Walk-Sequence [Carrier Route 
Mail Preparation], by adding a new subsection 1.3 and revising 
subsection 3.2 to read as follows:

M304  Walk-Sequence

1.0  Basic Standards
* * * * *
1.3  Marking
    In addition to the markings required by M303, each piece claimed at 
a walk-sequence rate must be marked ``WS'' immediately preceding either 
the carrier route information on the carrier route information line 
(e.g., **WS CARRIER ROUTE 017) or the carrier route presort marking 
shown in M303 (e.g., WS CAR-RT SORT). Pieces not claimed at a walk-
sequence rate must not bear the ``WS'' marking.
* * * * *
3.0  Preparation
* * * * *
3.2  Labeling
    In addition to the labeling required in M303, a facing slip with a 
phrase identifying the mail, such as ``WALK-SEQUENCED CARRIER ROUTE 
MAIL,'' may be placed on the top of each package. A facing slip does 
not satisfy the marking required on each piece by 1.3.
* * * * *
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR 111.3 to reflect these changes 
will be published if the proposal is adopted.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 94-17580 Filed 7-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-M