[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 19, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79311-79314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32159]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 111


Address Sequencing Service

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule adopts a proposal to amend section A920 of the 
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) to provide an electronic address sequencing 
service.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DeWitt Crawford, 901-681-4612.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 19, 2000, the Postal Service 
published in the Federal Register a proposed rule to amend section A920 
of the Domestic Mail Manual (65 FR 56518). Five comments were received. 
All responses were in support of the proposal, and only one of the five 
offered suggested changes. In summary, the following concerns were 
offered: Concern in making sure that requestors of sequencing services 
are fully aware that owners of Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS) 
qualified address files will include seeded addresses, provided by the 
USPS, for the purpose of fraud prevention. The same concern as 
indicated in number 1 in regards to list owners being notified of 
potential fraudulent use of their address files. Concern in the time 
frame and number of attempts customers can submit address files for 
qualification. Proposal to implement a simplified payment for 
electronic file services. Establishment of an effective date for the 
activation of electronic services and the discontinuation of the manual 
address card services. The first four suggestions were accepted, with 
minor modifications, but the fifth suggestion was not accepted because 
we felt that we need to evaluate how well the electronic process 
functions before we eliminate an existing service. The revisions to 
proposed DMM A920 are shown below.

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, 414, 3001-
3011, 3201-3219, 3403-3406, 3621, 3626, 5001.


    2. The Domestic Mail Manual is amended by revising module A to read 
as follows.

Domestic Mail Manual (DMM)

A  Addressing

* * * * *

A900  Customer Support

* * * * *

A920  Address Sequencing Services

1.0  SERVICE LEVELS

    [Amend 1.0 to add electronic file options to read as follows:]
    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 only 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.
    d. For address cards or electronic files, if qualification is met, 
the Postal Service will provide seeded addresses to the list owners for 
inclusion in their address files for file protection.
    e. If a request for sequencing contains a seeded address, the owner 
of the seeded address will be notified within 30 days of detection. If 
all known possibilities of fraud can not be ruled out, the request will 
be denied and the Postal Inspection Service will be notified.
    [Amend the heading of 2.0 to read as follows:]

2.0  CARD OR FILE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION

2.1  Color and Size

    [Amend 2.1 to read as follows:]
    When submitting cards, all address cards must be made of white or 
buff-colored card stock and of an identical 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 cards to equal 
at least 10% of the number of address cards submitted.

2.2  Limitation

    [Amend 2.2 to read as follows:]
    The customer must not submit address cards or an address file in 
excess of 110% of the possible

[[Page 79312]]

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 12-month 
period. Failure to qualify within three attempts within 12 months will 
result in a suspension of 1 year for any additional attempts to qualify 
the ZIP Code.

2.3  Addressing Format

    [Amend 2.3 to read as follows:]
    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, but the ZIP Code 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 Postal Service. Call the National 
Customer Support Center at 1-800-331-5747 for a copy of the required 
format.

2.4  Header Cards

    [Amend the first sentence of 2.4 and add a second sentence to read 
as follows:]
    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. * * *

2.5  Delivery Unit Summary

    [Amend 2.5 to read as follows:]
    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 Postal Service to provide summary 
information to the customer, is necessary for calculating total charges 
for the service level provided. For address card submissions, the 
original is returned to the customer with the cards as the customer's 
bill. For electronic address file submissions, a computer-generated 
Delivery Unit Summary is returned as the customer's bill. Upon receipt 
of payment, the ZIP Code will be qualified for Computerized Delivery 
Sequence (CDS), and product fulfillment will begin. Examples of the 
required hardcopy or electronic format of the Delivery Unit Summary can 
be obtained from the National Customer Support Center (see G043 for 
address).

2.6  5-digit ZIP Codes

    [Amend the first sentence of 2.6 to read as follows:]
    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. * * *
    [Amend the heading and text of 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 directed otherwise, 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 Postal Service, to: Computerized 
Delivery Sequencing Department, National Customer Support Center, 
United States Postal Service, 6060 Primacy PKWY STE 201, Memphis TN 
38188-0001.

2.8  Postage

    [Amend 2.8 by inserting the following after the first sentence:]
    * * * Address files can be mailed at the appropriate rate or be 
electronically transmitted, as determined by the USPS, to the National 
Customer Support Center. * * *

2.9  USPS Sequencing

    [Amend 2.9 to read as follows:]
    Unsequenced address cards received at post offices or unsequenced 
address 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.
    [Amend the heading of 2.10 to read as follows:]

2.10  USPS Time Limits and Billing

    [Amend 2.10 so that the first sentence reads as follows:]
    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. * * *

2.11  Seasonal Addresses

    [Amend 2.11 to read as follows:]
    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 that are not subject to seasonal occupancy but that include 
seasonal treatment notations are submitted, 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.
    [Amend the heading of 3.0 to read as follows:]

3.0  SEQUENCING CARDS WITH BLANKS FOR MISSING ADDRESSES OR 
SEQUENCING ADDRESSES FILES WITH MISSING SEQUENCE NUMBERS

3.1  USPS Sequencing

    [Amend 3.1 to read as follows:]
    USPS employees at post offices (for cards) or the National Customer 
Support Center (for address files) arrange unsequenced addresses in 
sequence of

[[Page 79313]]

carrier route delivery without charge, remove incorrect or 
undeliverable addresses and, if cards, bundle separately for return to 
the customer, insert a blank card or missing sequence number (for 
address files only) for each existing address that is not included in 
the customer's cards or address file. (If several addresses in a series 
are missing, a single blank card is inserted for the series showing the 
number of missing addresses, or for address files a series of missing 
sequence numbers will be omitted identifying the number of missing 
addresses.)
    [Amend the heading of 3.2 to read as follows:]

3.2  USPS Time Limits and Billing

    [Amend 3.2 to read as follows:]
    The post office (for cards) or the National Customer Support Center 
(for address files) 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.
    [Amend the heading of 4.0 to read as follows:]

4.0  SEQUENCING WITH ADDRESS CARDS OR ADDRESS FILE SEQUENCING WITH 
ADDRESSES ADDED FOR MISSING AND NEW ADDRESSES

4.1  USPS Sequencing

    [Amend 4.1 to read as follows:]
    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, remove incorrect or 
undeliverable addresses and, if cards, bundle separately for return to 
the customer or, if an address file, return as a separate file, and add 
new or missing addresses (including rural address conversions to city 
delivery) for each existing address that is not included in the 
customer's cards or address file.
    [Amend the heading and text of 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.
* * * * *

4.4  Address Percentage

    [Amend 4.4 to read as follows:]
    For the 5-digit ZIP Code area, the mailing list that the cards or 
address file represents must contain 90% of all possible residential or 
business city carrier addresses for addresses in the respective address 
group, 90% of all city carrier addresses for addresses in a combination 
residential/business address group, or 90% of all possible deliveries 
for addresses in rural/highway contract route and post office box 
groups.
* * * * *
    [Amend 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% eligibility level of address coverage. * * *

5.0  SERVICE CHARGES

5.1  Basic Service

    [Amend the first sentence of 5.1 to read as follows:]
    For sequencing of address cards or address files, the applicable 
fee is charged for each address card or address that is removed because 
of an incorrect or undeliverable address. * * *

5.2  Blanks for Missing Addresses

    [Amend 5.2 to read as follows:]
    For sequencing of address cards or address files 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.

5.3  Missing or New Addresses

    [Amend the first sentence of 5.3 to read as follows:]
    For sequencing of address cards or address files 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 (possible delivery) that is added 
to the customer's list. * * *
* * * * *

5.5  Free Services

    [Amend 5.5a to read as follows:]
    These services are provided at no charge for all three levels of 
service:
    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

6.1  Customer Responsibility

    [Amend the first sentence in 6.1 to read as follows:]
    The customer must ensure that mailings are prepared in correct 
carrier route delivery sequence, and resequence cards or an address 
file when necessary. * * *

6.2  Changes

    [Amend 6.2 to read as follows:]
    When delivery changes affect delivery sequence but do not cause 
scheme changes, card customers will be notified in writing and must 
then submit cards for the affected routes or the complete ZIP Code for 
resequencing. Computerized Delivery Sequence (CDS) customers will 
automatically receive an updated electronic file from the Postal 
Service.

6.3  Out-of-Sequence

    [Amend the third sentence in 6.3 to read as follows:]
    * * * 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. * * *

6.4  Reinstatement

    [Amend 6.4 to read as follows:]
    Generally, a customer denied address card or address file 
sequencing service for a specific ZIP Code may not submit address cards 
(to the post office) or address files (to the National Customer Support 
Center) for sequencing 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

[[Page 79314]]

the ZIP Code address cards (to the post office) or address files (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.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 00-32159 Filed 12-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P