[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 19, 2000)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56518-56521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-23658]


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

POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Address Sequencing Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: This proposed rule amends section A920 of the Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) to enhance customer service and to provide notice of new 
safeguards to protect the ownership of customer address lists.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent to Manager, Address 
Management, USPS, 6060 Primacy Pkwy, Ste 201, Memphis, TN 38188-0001. 
Copies of all written comments will be available for inspection and 
photocopying between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the 
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DeWitt Crawford, (901) 681-4612, or 
Susan Hawes, (901) 681-4661.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The manual address card sequencing process 
that has been available for many years has become too labor intensive 
and expensive for some mailers to maintain. An increasing number of 
customers have requested the adoption of a more efficient and cost-
effective procedure for the sequencing of address lists. In response, 
the USPS is proposing an electronic address sequencing service for 
those customers who want to discontinue the production and processing 
of manual address cards. This proposal is an outgrowth of meetings the 
USPS conducted with saturation mailer groups and the Mailers Technical 
Advisory Committee (MTAC).
    To ensure the integrity of the qualification process for the 
electronic sequencing service, all USPS-qualified walk sequence address 
files will contain seeded addresses known only to the list owner and 
the USPS. This will help guard against the fraudulent submission of 
rented lists for qualification. If a request for sequencing contains a 
seeded address, and all known possibilities of fraud cannot be ruled 
out, the request will be denied and the owner of the seeded address and 
the Postal Inspection Service will be notified. Notification will 
include requester's company name, ZIP Code, and level of address group 
requested for qualification.
    Customers will be allowed three attempts to qualify a ZIP Code 
within a six-month period. Failure to qualify within this time frame 
will result in a suspension of one year from further attempts to 
qualify the ZIP Code.
    To protect the integrity of customer address lists, and to add a 
level of security, all customer requests for DMM A920 card and 
electronic processing will be posted for 90 days on a password-secured 
USPS Address Sequencing Service Web site. Company name, ZIP Code, and 
requested address groups will be listed. This will enable USPS-
qualified list owners to monitor possible misuse of their rented or 
leased address lists. Only USPS-qualified list owners will be able to 
access the Web site.

Summary of Proposed Change

    Proposed DMM sections A920.1.0 through A920.6.4 provide an 
electronic address sequencing service for those customers who want to 
discontinue the production and processing of manual address cards.

[[Page 56519]]

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

PART 111--[AMENDED]

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

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

    2. Amend the following section of the Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) as 
follows:

A  Addressing

* * * * *

A900  Customer Support

* * * * *

A920  Address Sequencing Services

    [Amend 1.0 to add electronic file options to read as follows:]
1.0  SERVICE LEVELS
    The USPS provides the following levels of manual or electronic 
address sequencing service for city carrier routes, rural routes, 
highway contract routes, and post office box sections:
    a. Sequencing of address cards or electronic address files.
    b. Sequencing of address cards or electronic address files, plus 
inserting blank cards for missing addresses or missing sequence numbers 
for the addresses missing from the electronic files.
    c. Sequencing of address cards or electronic address files, plus 
inserting cards with addresses for missing or new addresses, or 
inserting addresses into electronic files for missing or new addresses.
    [Revise the heading of 2.0 to read as follows:]
2.0  CARD OR FILE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION
    [Revise 2.1 to read as follows:]

2.1  Color and Size

    When submitting cards, all address cards must be made of white or 
buff-colored card stock and identical in size (5 to 8\5/16\ inches long 
and 2\1/4\ to 4\1/4\ inches high). Blank cards for missing and/or new 
addresses must be of the same size as the submitted address cards but 
of a different color. A customer must provide enough blank cards to 
equal at least 10 percent of the number of address cards submitted.
    [Revise 2.2 to read as follows:]

2.2  Limitation

    The customer must not submit address cards or an address file in 
excess of 110 percent of the possible deliveries for a specific 5-digit 
ZIP Code delivery area. Customers requesting the service level in 
A920.1.0c will be allowed three attempts to qualify a ZIP Code for the 
service within a 6-month period. Failure to qualify within 6 months 
will result in a suspension of 1 year for any additional attempts to 
qualify the ZIP Code.
    [Revise 2.3 to read as follows:]

2.3  Addressing Format

    Addressing format is specific to the media being used.
    a. Card Processing--Cards must be faced in the same direction and 
bear only one address each. The customer's current address information 
must be computer-generated, typed, or printed along the top of the 
card. The address must be within 1 inch from the top edge of the card 
in about the same location on each card submitted. Each card must 
include a complete address except for the ZIP Code, which is optional. 
Street designators may be abbreviated as shown in Publication 28, 
Postal Addressing Standards. When sequence cards are used to obtain 
address sequencing information for post office boxes, the box section 
number must be substituted for the carrier route number (if shown).
    b. Electronic Processing--The customer must submit address files on 
electronic media, as described by the USPS. Call the National Customer 
Support Center at 800-331-5747 for a copy of the required format.
    [Revise the first sentence of 2.4 and add second sentence to read 
as follows:]

2.4  Header Cards

    When submitting address cards customers must provide carrier route 
header cards, prepared with standard 80-column computer card stock (or 
another size as described above). The header cards must be typed, 
computer-generated, or printed by the customer. * * *
    [Revise 2.5 to read as follows:]

2.5  Delivery Unit Summary

    A Delivery Unit Summary must be typed, computer-generated, or 
printed and provided by the customer for card processing. A printed 
copy or electronic file will be acceptable for address file 
submissions. When submitting address cards, an original and two copies 
must be submitted for each 5-digit ZIP Code delivery area. When 
submitting an address file, an original and two copies of a printed 
form or one electronic file must be submitted for each 5-digit ZIP Code 
delivery area. This form, used by the USPS to provide summary 
information to the customer, is necessary for calculating total charges 
for the service level provided. The original is returned to the 
customer with the cards as the customer's bill. Examples of the 
required format for the Delivery Unit Summary can be obtained from the 
National Customer Support Center (see G043).
    [Revise the first sentence of 2.6 to read as follows:]

2.6  5-Digit ZIP Codes

    When submitting address cards, the cards for each 5-digit ZIP Code 
area must be placed in separate containers, each with an envelope 
affixed containing a packing list and Delivery Unit Summary sheets for 
that 5-digit ZIP Code area. * * *
    [Revise 2.7 to read as follows:]

2.7  Submitting Cards or Electronic Files

    The designated place for submission of addresses for sequencing 
depends on the type of media used.
    a. Card Processing--The customer must submit the containers of 
address cards to the district manager of Address Management Systems for 
carrier routes within the corresponding district. (Exception: Address 
cards only for addresses in the city where the customer is located may 
be submitted to the postmaster of that city for sequencing and 
correction.) Unless otherwise directed, the customer must address 
containers of address cards to:

MANAGER ADDRESS MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
[STREET ADDRESS]
[CITY/STATE/ZIP+4]

    b. Electronic Processing--The customer must submit address files on 
electronic media, as described by the USPS, to:

COMPUTERIZED DELIVERY SEQUENCING DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER
UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
6060 PRIMACY PKWY STE 201
MEMPHIS TN 38188-0001

    [Revise 2.8 by adding the following after the first sentence:]

2.8  Postage

    * * * Address files can be mailed at the appropriate rate or be 
electronically transmitted, as determined by the USPS, to the National 
Customer Support Center. * * *
    [Revise 2.9 to read as follows:]

2.9  USPS Sequencing

    Unsequenced address cards received at post offices or unsequenced 
address

[[Page 56520]]

files received at the National Customer Support Center will be arranged 
in sequence of carrier route delivery without charge. Cards with 
incorrect or undeliverable addresses are removed from carrier route 
bundles, bundled separately, and returned to the customer. When address 
files are submitted, incorrect or undeliverable addresses are removed 
from the original file and returned as a separate file.
    [Revise the heading and first sentence of 2.10 to read as follows:]

2.10  USPS Time Limits and Billing

    The post office or the National Customer Support Center, whichever 
performs the service, returns the cards or address file and the bill 
for applicable charges to the customer within 15 working days after 
receiving a properly prepared request for address sequencing. This time 
limit does not apply to cards received between November 16 and January 
1, which are sequenced as promptly as possible. * * *
    [Revise 2.11 to read as follows:]

2.11  Seasonal Addresses

    Under all service levels, correct addresses subject to seasonal 
occupancy, but which do not indicate seasonal treatment, will be 
identified with an ``S'' on cards or a flag on address files. If the 
address is included in a series such as those used for apartment 
buildings, trailer parks, and seasonal delivery areas in general, the 
appropriate ``seasonal'' indicator box is checked on the card or 
flagged on the address file. When correct address cards or address 
files are submitted that are not subject to seasonal occupancy, but 
include seasonal treatment notations, the seasonal indicator is marked 
out on cards or left blank on address files. For cards, a rubber band 
is placed around the card to identify it before it is put in carrier 
route sequence order in the returned deck of cards. No charge is 
assessed for this service.
    [Revise the heading of 3.0 to read as follows:]
3.0  SEQUENCING CARDS WITH BLANKS FOR MISSING ADDRESSES OR SEQUENCING 
ADDRESS FILES WITH MISSING SEQUENCE NUMBERS
    [Revise 3.1 to read as follows:]

3.1  USPS Sequencing

    USPS employees at post offices (for cards) or the National Customer 
Support Center (for address files) arrange unsequenced addresses in 
sequence of carrier route delivery without charge and remove incorrect 
or undeliverable addresses. Cards are bundled separately for return to 
the customer, with blank cards inserted for each existing address that 
is not included in the customer's cards. Address files are returned 
with missing sequence numbers inserted. (If several addresses in a 
series are missing, a single blank card is inserted for the series 
showing the number of missing addresses. For address files a series of 
missing sequence numbers is inserted identifying the number of missing 
addresses.)
    [Revise 3.2 to read as follows:]

3.2  USPS Time Limits and Billing

    The post office or the National Customer Support Center, whichever 
performs the service, returns the cards or address file along with a 
bill for applicable charges to the customer within 15 working days 
after receiving a properly prepared request for address sequencing. 
This time limit does not apply to cards received between November 16 
and January 1, which are sequenced as promptly as possible.
    [Revise heading of 4.0 to read as follows:]
4.0  SEQUENCING WITH ADDRESS CARDS OR ADDRESS FILE WITH ADDRESSES ADDED 
FOR MISSING AND NEW ADDRESSES
    [Revise 4.1 to read as follows:]

4.1  USPS Sequencing

    USPS employees at post offices (for cards) or the National Customer 
Support Center (for address files) arrange unsequenced addresses in 
sequence of carrier route delivery without charge and remove incorrect 
or undeliverable addresses. New or missing addresses (including rural 
address conversions to city delivery) are added for each existing 
address that is not included in the customer's cards or address file. 
Cards are bundled separately for return to the customer. An address 
file is returned as a separate file.
    [Revise 4.2 to read as follows:]

4.2  Separate Address Groups

    Separate groups of address cards must be submitted for the 
addresses in each 5-digit ZIP Code delivery area: city carrier 
(residential addresses only); city carrier (business addresses only); 
city carrier (combination of residential and business addresses); rural 
and highway contract route addresses; or post office box addresses 
(whether business, residential, or a combination). If submitting an 
electronic address file, a single file meeting the same requirements is 
acceptable. Each group must be accompanied by a statement showing:
    a. Types of addresses (i.e., residential, business, or a 
combination).
    b. Number of addresses on the cards or in the address file.
    c. Name, mailing address, and telephone number of the list owner or 
agent.
* * * * *
    [Revise 4.4 to read as follows:]

4.4  Address Percentage

    For the 5-digit ZIP Code area, the mailing list that the cards or 
address file represent must contain 90 percent of all possible 
residential or business city carrier addresses for addresses in the 
respective address group, 90 percent of all city carrier addresses for 
addresses in a combination residential/business address group, or 90 
percent of all possible deliveries for addresses in rural/highway 
contract route and post office box groups.
* * * * *
    [Revise the heading and the first sentence of 4.6 to read as 
follows:]

4.6  Resubmitting Cards or Address File

    Customers must monitor community growth and determine when address 
cards or address files need to be submitted for resequencing to 
maintain the 90 percent eligibility level of address coverage.
5.0  SERVICE CHARGES
    [Revise the first sentence of 5.1 to read as follows:]

5.1  Basic Service

    For sequencing of address cards or address file, the applicable fee 
is charged for each address card or address that is removed because of 
an incorrect or undeliverable address. * * *
    [Revise 5.2 to read as follows:]

5.2  Blanks for Missing Addresses

    For sequencing of address cards or address file with total possible 
deliveries shown, the applicable fee is charged for each address card 
or address that is removed because it is incorrect or undeliverable. No 
charge is assessed for the insertion of blank cards or missing sequence 
numbers (for address files) showing the range of missing addresses in a 
submitted list.
    [Revise the first sentence of 5.3 to read as follows:]

5.3  Missing or New Addresses

    For sequencing of address cards or address file with missing or new 
addresses added, the applicable fee is charged for each address card or 
address that is removed because it is incorrect or undeliverable, and 
for each address

[[Page 56521]]

(possible delivery) that is added to the customer's list. * * *
* * * * *
    [Amend 5.5 by revising paragraph a to read as follows:]

5.5  Free Services

* * * * *
    a. If the customer includes a rural address (box number) in a deck 
of cards or address file submitted for sequencing, and a street address 
is assigned to that box number so it can be served on a city delivery 
route, a correct address card or address is included at no charge.
* * * * *
6.0  SUBMITTING PROPERLY SEQUENCED MAILINGS
    [Revise the first sentence of 6.1 to read as follows:]

6.1  Customer Responsibility

    The customer must ensure that mailings are prepared in correct 
carrier route delivery sequence and resequence cards or an address file 
when necessary. * * *
    [Revise 6.2 to read as follows:]

6.2  Changes

    If delivery changes occur that affect delivery sequence, but do not 
cause scheme changes, the customer is notified in writing and must then 
submit cards or an address file for the affected routes or the complete 
ZIP Code for resequencing.
    [Revise the third sentence of 6.3 to read as follow:]

6.3  Out-of-Sequence Mailing

    * * * If the customer does not take corrective action, the USPS 
gives written notice that the customer is no longer allowed to submit 
address cards to the post office or address files to the National 
Customer Support Center for sequencing. * * *
    [Revise 6.4 to read as follows:]

6.4  Reinstatement

    Generally, a customer denied address card or address file 
sequencing service for a specific ZIP Code may not submit cards for 
sequencing at the post office or submit address files for sequencing at 
the National Customer Support Center where that sequencing service was 
terminated for 1 year after the effective date of termination. After 
that time, the customer is again authorized to submit the ZIP Code 
address cards (to the post office) or an address file (to the National 
Customer Support Center) for sequencing. At any time during the year 
after termination of service, the customer may renew the submission if 
the postmaster (for address cards) or the National Customer Support 
Center (for address files) is convinced that the customer has taken all 
necessary action to correct the past errors.
    An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR part 111 to reflect these 
changes will be published if the proposal is adopted.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-23658 Filed 9-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P