[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9343-9345]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-4172]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Parts 111 and 121


Nomenclature Change Relating to the Network Distribution Center 
Transition

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is revising Mailing Standards of the United 
States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM[supreg]) and other 
related manuals and publications, pursuant to the ongoing transition of 
USPS[supreg] bulk mail centers (BMC) to network distribution centers 
(NDC), by replacing all text references to ``BMC'' with ``NDC'' 
concurrent with other DMM revisions scheduled for March 2010. The 
Postal Service is planning to issue DMM Issue 300 in May 2010, 
containing all DMM revisions from May 11, 2009 through the May 2010 
issue date. The changes to the DMM described in this document will be 
reflected in that Issue 300 of the DMM. We are similarly revising our 
regulations in Part 121 of Title 39, Code of Federal Regulations, to 
reflect the BMC to NDC terminology change.

DATES: Effective Date: March 14, 2010.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Gunther at 202-268-7208 or 
Shibani Gambhir at 202-268-6256.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: The BMC network was established in the 1970s to process 
Parcel Post[supreg], Bound Printed Matter, Media Mail[supreg], Standard 
Mail[supreg] and Periodicals. Fluctuations in volume and changes in the 
mailing habits of the public and large mailers have necessitated 
changes to the USPS business model relative to BMC processing and 
transportation. To fully utilize our existing BMC facilities and 
consolidate transportation, we are changing our mail flow processes 
through the new NDC network. As part of this change, we are converting 
BMCs to NDCs. We began implementation of the NDC concept in May 2009 
and this transition continues to date.
    The Postal Service is taking another step towards the 
implementation of the NDC concept by effecting the name change, from 
BMC to NDC, within the DMM, other related manuals and publications, and 
postage statements. This revision will be limited to the change in 
nomenclature only. There will be no changes to mailing standards, 
service standards, or USPS processes resulting from this action. The 
Postal Service expects to be proposing changes to the standards 
surrounding the preparation, entry, and deposit of mailpieces pursuant 
to final implementation of the NDC concept. Any such changes will be 
the subject of future Federal Register notices.
    As a reminder, on August 3, 2009, the Postal Service changed all of 
its applicable labeling lists to effect the name change from BMC to 
NDC. At that time, mailers were provided a 73-day transitional period 
to make the changes to their software applications. Mailers are now 
urged to review their operations to assure that these software changes 
have been made.
    One of these nomenclature changes will update the description of 
the ``BMC Presort'' (or ``BMC PRSRT'') and ``OBMC Presort'' (or ``OBMC 
PRSRT'') price markings, for Parcel Select[supreg] mailpieces, in DMM 
402.2.5.2. Mailers will be required to change these markings to ``NDC 
Presort'' (or ``NDC PRSRT'') and ``ONDC Presort'' (or ``ONDC PRSRT'') 
respectively. Mailers will also be required to make changes to the 
human-readable content line, corresponding to the content identifier 
number (CIN), of those sack and tray labels bearing a BMC reference, as 
displayed in DMM Exhibit 708.6.2.4, 3-Digit Content Identifier Numbers. 
Similar to the period allowed for changes to labeling lists, mailers 
will be provided a 73-day transitional period, from March 14, 2010, 
with an effective date of May 26, 2010, to make changes to their 
software applications.
    With this action, the Postal Service will be revising the text of 
the DMM, including all applicable Publication 95, Quick Service Guide, 
and Notice 123, Price List, references as follows:

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                Current text                                             Revised text
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Bulk Mail Center...........................  Network Distribution Center.
BMC........................................  NDC.
Destination Bulk Mail Center...............  Destination Network Distribution Center.
DBMC.......................................  DNDC.
Origin Bulk Mail Center....................  Origin Network Distribution Center.
OBMC.......................................  ONDC.
Return Bulk Mail Center....................  Return Network Distribution Center.
RBMC.......................................  RNDC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, we are revising the caption title of 39 CFR 121.1 to 
correctly capitalize the term ``First-Class Mail.''
    The Postal Service adopts changes 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 111.1. The 
Postal Service also amends 39 CFR Part 121.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 and 121

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

0
Accordingly, 39 CFR Part 111 and 121 are amended as follows:

PART 111--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 111 continues to read as 
follows:

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

    [The USPS will process a global name substitution from ``Bulk Mail 
Center'' to ``Network Distribution Center,'' from ``BMC'' to ``NDC,'' 
from ``Destination Bulk Mail Center'' to ``Destination Network 
Distribution Center,'' from ``DBMC'' to ``DNDC,'' from ``Origin Bulk 
Mail Center'' to ``Origin Network Distribution Center,'' from ``OBMC'' 
to ``ONDC,'' from ``Return Bulk Mail Center'' to ``Return Network 
Distribution Center,'' and from ``RBMC to RNDC;'' revising Mailing 
Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM) effective March 14, 2010. These revisions will not be separately 
itemized as a part of this document.]

[[Page 9344]]

PART 121--SERVICE STANDARDS FOR MARKET-DOMINANT MAIL PRODUCTS

0
2. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 121 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 1001, 
3691.


0
3. In Sec.  121.1, revise the section heading to read as set forth 
below:


Sec.  121.1  First-Class Mail.

* * * * *

0
4. In Sec.  121.2, revise paragraphs (b)(3) and (b)(4) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  121.2  Periodicals.

    (b) * * *
    (3) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Network Distribution 
Center containerized rate, that are accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper destination NDC in the contiguous 48 
states, and that are addressed for delivery in the contiguous 48 
states, have a service standard of 1 or 2 days, corresponding to the 
standard for mail qualifying for the destination ADC rate, based on 
whether the destination ADC and SCF are in the same building.
    (4) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Network Distribution 
Center containerized rate, that are accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper destination NDC in the 48 contiguous 
states, and that are addressed for delivery in the states of Alaska or 
Hawaii, or the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, have a service standard of 5 to 8 days, corresponding to the 
standard for mail qualifying for the destination ADC rate, which is 
based on the number of days required for transportation outside of the 
48 contiguous states and whether the destination ADC and SCF are in the 
same building.
* * * * *

0
5. In Sec.  121.3, revise paragraphs (a)(3), (b)(4), and (b)(5) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  121.3  Standard Mail.

    (a) * * *
    (3) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Standard Mail pieces accepted at origin before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time is 5 days for each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code 
origin-destination pair within the same Network Distribution Center 
service area if the origin and destination are within the contiguous 48 
states; the same standard applies to mail that is intra-Alaska, intra-
Hawaii, or between the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam.
* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that are accepted before the day-
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC have a 5-day service 
standard, if both the origin and the destination are in the 48 
contiguous states.
    (5) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that are accepted before the day-
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC in the contiguous 48 states 
for delivery to addresses in the states of Alaska or Hawaii or the 
territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, have a 
service standard of either 9 or 10 days, depending on the 3-digit 
origin-destination ZIP Code pair. For each such pair, the applicable 
day within the range is based on the number of days required for 
transportation outside of the 48 contiguous states.


0
6. In Sec.  121.4, revise paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(6), (b)(3) and 
(b)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  121.4  Package Services.

    (a) * * *
    (2) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Package Services mail accepted at origin before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time is 3 days, for each remaining (non-intra-SCF) 3-
digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair within a Network Distribution 
Center service area, where the origin and destination are within the 
contiguous 48 states and are not served by an Auxiliary Service 
Facility; and for mail between the territories of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (3) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Package Services mail accepted at origin before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time is 4 days for each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code 
origin-destination pair within a Network Distribution Center service 
area, where the destination delivery address is served by an Auxiliary 
Service Facility; the same standard applies to all remaining intra-
Alaska mail and mail between the state of Hawaii and the territory of 
Guam.
* * * * *
    (6) The service standard for Inbound Surface Parcel Post[supreg] 
pieces (subject to Universal Postal Union rates) is the same as the 
service standard for domestic Package Services mail from the 3-digit 
ZIP Code area in which the International Service Center is located to 
the 3-digit ZIP Code in which the delivery address is located.
    (b) * * *
    (3) Package Services mail that qualifies for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, which is accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC or Destination Auxiliary Service 
Facility, and that originates and destinates in the contiguous 48 
states, has a 3-day service standard. Mail that qualifies for a 
Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) discount, and that is 
accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry Time at the SCF in the 
territory of Puerto Rico, has a 3-day service standard if it is 
destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (4) Package Services mail that qualifies for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that is accepted before the day-
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC in the contiguous 48 states 
for delivery to addresses in the states of Alaska or Hawaii, or the 
territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands has a 
service standard of either 7 or 8 days, depending on the 3-digit ZIP 
Code origin-destination pair. For each such pair, the applicable day 
within the range is based on the number of days required for 
transportation outside of the 48 contiguous states.


0
7. In Appendix A to Part 121, revise Table 3 and 4 to read as follows:

Appendix A to Part 121--Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges

* * * * *

[[Page 9345]]



 Table 3--Destination Entry Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail to the 48 Contiguous States and the District of
                                                    Columbia
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                                                                  Destination entry (at appropriate facility)
                         Mail class                          ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               DDU (days)   SCF (days)   ADC (days)   NDC (days)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            CONTIGUOUS UNITED STATES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodicals.................................................            1            1          1-2          1-2
Standard Mail...............................................            2            3            5  ...........
Package Services............................................            1            2            3  ...........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 4--Destination Entry Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail to the States of Alaska and Hawaii, and the Territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the
                                                                   U.S. Virgin Islands
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                                                                        Destination entry (at appropriate facility)
                                 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        SCF (days)                            ADC (days)                            NDC (days)
           Mail class                       ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     DDU                             Puerto                                     Puerto                           Puerto
                                    (days)     Alaska    Hawaii &    Rico &       Alaska       Hawaii & Guam    Rico &     Alaska    Hawaii &    Rico &
                                                           Guam       USVI                                       USVI                  Guam       USVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        ALASKA, HAWAII & GUAM, PUERTO RICO & USVI
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodicals.....................          1        1-2          1        1-2  1-3 (AK)......  1 (HI)........        1-2        1-2        6-7        5-6
                                                                              7 (JNU).......  7 (GU)........
                                                                              7 (KTN).......
Standard Mail...................          2          3          3        3-4  10............  10............          9  .........  .........  .........
Package Services................          1          2          2        2-3  8.............  8.............          7  .........  .........  .........
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK = Alaska 3-digit ZIP Codes 995-997; JNU = Juneau AK 3-digit ZIP Code 998; KTN = Ketchikan AK 3-digit ZIP Code 999; HI = Hawaii 3-digit ZIP Codes 967
  and 968; GU = Guam 3-digit ZIP Code 969.


Neva R. Watson,
Attorney, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 2010-4172 Filed 3-1-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P