[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 92 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 27908-27913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11139]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

41 CFR Part 102-192

[FMR Case 2008-102-4; Docket 2008-0001; Sequence 1]
RIN 3090-AI79


Federal Management Regulation (FMR); Mail Management; Financial 
Requirements for All Agencies

AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to 
amend the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) by revising its mail 
management policy. A major part of the proposed revision involves the 
removal of the agency requirement to pay the United States Postal 
Service (USPS) using commercial payment processes. This proposed rule 
also revises the term ``commercial payment process'', removes the 
definition ``large agency'', requires all agencies to provide an annual 
mail management report, changes the date of the annual report, removes 
the description of facility and program mail manager responsibilities, 
recommends all agencies implement the process of consolidation of mail 
and requires all agencies to expand existing mail security policy to 
include guidance for employees receiving incoming and sending outgoing 
official mail at an alternative worksite. Finally, this proposed rule 
encourages agencies to increase sustainable activities in their mail 
programs, and makes editorial and technical corrections. This case is 
included in GSA's retrospective review of existing regulations under 
Executive Order 13563. Additional information is available at 
www.gsa.gov/improvingregulations.

DATES: Interested parties should submit written comments to the 
Regulatory Secretariat at one of the addressees shown below on or 
before July 12, 2013 to be considered in the formation of the final 
rule.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments in response to FMR Case 2008-102-4 by any of 
the following methods:
     Regulations.gov: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking portal by searching for ``FMR Case 
2008-102-4''. Follow the instructions provided at the ``Submit a 
Comment'' screen. Please include your name, company name (if any), and 
``FMR Case 2008-102-4'' on your attached document.
     Fax: 202-501-4067.
     Mail: General Services Administration, Regulatory 
Secretariat (MVCB), ATTN: Hada Flowers, 1275 First Street NE., 7th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20417.
    Instructions: Please submit comments only and cite FMR Case 2008-
102-4, in all correspondence related to this case. All comments 
received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, 
including any personal and/or business confidential information 
provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For clarification of content, contact 
Derrick Miliner, Office of Governmentwide Policy, Mail Management 
Program, at 202-273-3564, or email him at [email protected]. 
Please cite FMR case 2008-102-4. For information pertaining to status 
or publication schedules, contact the Regulatory Secretariat (MVCB), 
1275 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20417, 202-501-4755.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Background

    On June 6, 2002, GSA published an interim rule in the Federal 
Register (67 FR 38899) that required all payments to the United States 
Postal Service (USPS) be made using commercial payment processes, not 
the Official Mail Accounting System (OMAS). The initial conversion date 
of October 1, 2003, was subsequently changed to December 31, 2003 by an 
amendment published in the Federal Register on September 29, 2003 (68 
FR 56112). Many agencies unfortunately were not able to meet this goal.
    If agencies did not convert to the commercial payment process by 
that date, they were required to submit a deviation request for an 
extension. If granted, the deviation could last for no longer than a 
two-year period (per internal GSA policy), at which time agencies would 
have to request another deviation. FMR Bulletin G-01, published in the 
Federal Register on May 13, 2008 (73 FR 27540), granted a 12 month 
deviation from April 11, 2008 through April 13, 2009 for conversion to 
the commercial payment process. FMR Bulletin G-02 extended the period 
granted in FMR Bulletin G-01 to April 13, 2010. GSA granted agencies 
another automatic 12-month deviation and

[[Page 27909]]

advised agencies that had unexpired deviations that they did not need 
to take any additional action because GSA was reassessing the policy. 
This proposed rule reflects agency comments and GSA's proposed change 
in policy, namely that agencies would not be required to switch payment 
systems with the USPS.
    A proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on January 9, 
2009 (74 FR 870), to allow agencies a choice of methods to best show 
their accountability for mail management. GSA received the following 
two comments:
    1. The Department of State commented that agencies should be 
allowed to continue using OMAS as long as they can demonstrate savings 
and detailed accountability as described in 41 CFR part 102-192. For 
these reasons, the Department of State believes that deviations should 
still be accepted and granted on a case by case basis.
    2. The Social Security Administration proposed that GSA amend 
subpart B of 41 CFR part 102-192 to include the following language: 
``Agencies with locations in areas where post offices cannot support 
the use of a commercial payment system shall be exempt from part 102-92 
subpart B. Additionally, agencies whose mission critical operations 
would be comprised [sic] by converting to a commercial payment process 
shall be exempt from part 102-192 subpart B.''
    The proposed rule published today reflects a new direction that 
would remove the requirement to pay the USPS using only commercial 
payment processes. If adopted as a final rule, agencies could continue 
to pay the USPS using their existing OMAS account. This approach would 
be consistent with both comments received on the proposed rule 
published in the Federal Register on January 9, 2009 (74 FR 870).
    Additionally, publishing this proposed rule allows the opportunity 
to vet with all agencies several changes that GSA drafted in 
conjunction with the Federal Mail Executive Council. This new proposed 
rule allows those impacted, such as small agencies, as well as other 
interested parties, a period to comment and for GSA to respond to those 
comments prior to issuing a final rule.

Proposed Changes to 41 CFR Part 102-192

    Accordingly, this proposed rule, if adopted as a final rule, would:
    1. Remove the agency requirement to pay the USPS using commercial 
payment processes and redefine the term ``commercial payment process.''
    2. Remove the definition of ``large agency,'' which is defined as 
an agency whose total payments to all mail service providers exceed $1 
million per fiscal year.
    3. With regard to the annual mail management report:
    a. Require all agencies, regardless of size, to provide an annual 
mail management report. For agencies previously exempt from the 
reporting requirement (those below the ``large agency'' threshold) that 
are newly required to report, annual reporting beginning with FY 2013 
data will begin in FY 2014.
    b. Amend the annual reporting date. The report would be due on 
October 31 for information covering the previous fiscal year rather 
than on January 15 for the previous fiscal year.
    c. Require agencies to submit an annual mail management report to 
the Office of Governmentwide Policy, Mail Management Policy, through 
the Simplified Mail Accountability Reporting Tool (SMART).
    d. Point to an FMR bulletin that details the reporting requirements 
at www.gsa.gov/fmrbulletin.
    4. Remove the description of facility and program mail manager 
responsibilities and assign those responsibilities to the agency mail 
manager, who may choose to delegate part or all of these 
responsibilities.
    5. Recommend all agencies implement the process of consolidation 
for internal and external mail.
    6. Require all agencies to expand existing mail security policy to 
include guidance for employees receiving incoming and sending outgoing 
official mail at an alternative worksite.
    7. Encourage agencies to increase sustainable activities in their 
mail programs.
    8. Make editorial and technical corrections.

B. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 of September 30, 1993 (``Regulatory 
Planning and Review'') and E.O. 13563 of January 18, 2011 (``Improving 
Regulation and Regulatory Review'') direct agencies to assess all costs 
and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety 
effects, distributive impacts, and equity. E.O. 13563 emphasizes the 
importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, 
of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This proposed rule 
is not a significant regulatory action and, therefore, is not subject 
to review under Section 6(b) of E.O. 12866. This proposed rule is not a 
major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804.

C. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. This proposed rule is 
also exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act per 5 U.S.C. 
553(a)(2) because it applies to agency management or personnel.

D. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act does not apply because this proposed 
rule does not impose recordkeeping or information collection 
requirements, or the collection of information from offerors, 
contractors, or members of the public which require the approval of the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

E. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This proposed rule is exempt from Congressional review under 5 
U.S.C. 801 since it relates solely to agency management or personnel.

List of Subjects in 41 CFR Part 102-192

    Government contracts, Mail, Performance measurement, Records 
management, Reporting recordkeeping requirements, and Security.

    Dated: May 1, 2013.
Kathleen M. Turco,
Associate Administrator, Office of Governmentwide Policy.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, GSA proposes to revise 
41 CFR part 102-192 to read as follows:

PART 102-192--MAIL MANAGEMENT

Subpart A--Introduction to This Part
Sec.
102-192.5 What does this part cover?
102-192.10 What authority governs this part?
102-192.15 How are ``I'', ``you'', ``me'', ``we'', and ``us'' used 
in this part?
102-192.20 How are ``must'' and ``should'' used in this part?
102-192.25 Does this part apply to me?
102-192.30 To what types of mail and materials does this part apply?
102-192.35 What definitions apply to this part?
102-192.40 Where can we obtain more information about the classes of 
mail?
102-192.45 How can we request a deviation from these requirements, 
and who can approve it?

[[Page 27910]]

Subpart B--Agency Requirements

Financial Requirements for All Agencies

102-192.50 What payment processes are we required to use?
102-192.55 Why must we use these payment processes?
102-192.60 How do we implement these payment processes?
102-192.65 What features must our finance systems have to keep track 
of mail expenditures?

Security Requirements for All Agencies

102-192.70 What security policies and plans must we have?
102-192.75 Why must we have written security policies and plans?
102-192.80 How do we develop written security policies and plans?

Reporting Requirements for All Agencies

102-192.85 Who must report to GSA annually?
102-192.90 What must we include in our annual mail management report 
to GSA?
102-192.95 Why does GSA require annual mail management reports?
102-192.100 How do we submit our annual mail management report to 
GSA?
102-192.105 When must we submit our annual mail management report to 
GSA?

Performance Measurement Requirements for All Agencies

102-192.110 At what levels in our agency must we have performance 
measures?
102-192.115 Why must we use performance measures?

Agency Mail Manager Requirements

102-192.120 Must we have an agency mail manager?
102-192.125 What is the appropriate managerial level for an agency 
mail manager?
102-192.130 What are your general responsibilities as an agency mail 
manager?
Subpart C--GSA's Responsibilities and Services
102-192.135 What are GSA's responsibilities in mail management?
102-192.140 What types of support does GSA offer to Federal agency 
mail management programs?

    Authority:  44 U.S.C. 2901-2904.

Subpart A--Introduction to This Part


Sec.  102-192.5  What does this part cover?

    This part prescribes policy and requirements for the effective, 
economical, and secure management of incoming, internal and outgoing 
mail and materials in Federal agencies.


Sec.  102-192.10  What authority governs this part?

    This part is governed by Section 2 of Public Law 94-575, the 
Federal Records Management Amendments of 1976 (44 U.S.C. 2901-2904, as 
amended, that requires the Administrator of General Services to provide 
guidance and assistance to Federal agencies to ensure economical and 
effective records management and defines the processing of mail by 
Federal agencies as a records management activity.


Sec.  102-192.15  How are ``I'', ``you'', ``me'', ``we'', and ``us'' 
used in this part?

    In this part, ``I,'' ``me,'' and ``you'' in the singular refer to 
agency mail managers. The context makes it clear which usage is 
intended in each case. ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``you'' in the plural refer 
to your Federal agency.


Sec.  102-192.20  How are ``must'' and ``should'' used in this part?

    In this part--
    (a) ``Must'' identifies steps that Federal agencies are required to 
take; and
    (b) ``Should'' identifies steps that the GSA recommends.

    Note to Sec.  102-192.20:  In their internal policy statements, 
agencies may require steps that GSA recommends.

Sec.  102-192.25  Does this part apply to me?

    Yes, this part applies to you if you work in mail management in a 
Federal agency, as defined in Sec.  102-192.35.


Sec.  102-192.30  To what types of mail and materials does this part 
apply?

    (a) This part applies to all materials that pass through a Federal 
mail center, including all incoming and outgoing materials, regardless 
of whether or not they currently pass through a mail center. This 
includes:
    (1) First Class Mail;
    (2) Standard Mail;
    (3) Periodicals;
    (4) Package Services; and
    (5) Express Mail.
    (b) This part does not apply to shipments of parts or supplies from 
a material distribution center. A material distribution center is a 
warehouse that maintains and distributes an inventory of parts and 
supplies.


Sec.  102-192.35  What definitions apply to this part?

    The following definitions apply to this part:
    Accountable mail means any piece of mail for which a service 
provider and the mail center must maintain a record that shows where 
the mail piece is at any given time, and when and where it was 
delivered; examples include United States Postal Service (USPS) 
registered mail and all expedited mail.
    Agency mail manager means the person who manages the overall mail 
management program of a Federal agency.
    Class of mail means one of the five categories of domestic mail as 
defined by the Mailing Standards of the USPS in the Domestic Mail 
Manual (DMM) located at http://pe.usps.gov/.
    (1) Express mail;
    (2) First class (includes priority mail);
    (3) Periodicals;
    (4) Standard mail, bulk marketing mail; and
    (5) Package services.
    Commercial payment process means paying for postage using the 
United States Postal Service's Centralized Account Processing System.
    Commingling means combining outgoing mail from one facility or 
agency with outgoing mail from at least one other source.
    Consolidation means the process of combining into a container two 
or more pieces of mail directed to the same addressee or installation 
on the same day.
    Consolidation of facilities means the process of combining more 
than one mail center into a central location. The decision to 
consolidate should be based on a cost analysis comparing the projected 
cost savings to the costs of implementation.
    Expedited mail means mail designated for overnight and two or three 
day delivery by service providers. Examples of expedited mail include 
Dalsey, Hillblom, Lynn (DHL); Federal Express (FedEx); United Parcel 
Service (UPS); and United States Postal Service (USPS) express mail.
    Federal agency or agency, as defined in 44 U.S.C. 2901(14), means--
    (1) Any executive department as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101;
    (2) Any wholly owned Government corporation as defined in 31 U.S.C. 
9101;
    (3) Any independent establishment in the executive branch as 
defined in 5 U.S.C. 104; and
    (4) Any establishment in the legislative or judicial branch, except 
the Supreme Court, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the 
Architect of the Capitol, and all activities under the direction of the 
Architect of the Capitol.
    Federal facility or facility means any office building, 
installation, base, etc., where Federal agency employees work. This 
includes any facility where the Federal Government pays postage 
expenses even though few or no Federal employees are involved in 
processing the mail.
    Incoming mail means any mail that comes into a facility delivered 
by any service provider, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
    Internal mail means mail generated within a Federal facility that 
is

[[Page 27911]]

delivered within that facility or to a nearby facility of the same 
agency, so long as it is delivered by agency personnel or an agency 
contractor.
    Mail means the types of mail described in Sec.  102-192.30.
    Mail center means an organization and/or place, within or 
associated with a Federal facility, where incoming and/or outgoing 
Federal mail and materials are processed.
    Mail expenditures means direct expenses for postage, fees and 
services and all other mail costs, meter fees, permit fees, etc. (e.g., 
payments to service providers, mail center personnel costs, mail center 
overhead, etc.).
    Mail piece design means creating and printing items to be mailed so 
that they can be processed efficiently and effectively by automated 
mail processing equipment.
    Official Mail means incoming or outgoing mail that is related to 
official business of the Federal Government.
    Official Mail Accounting System (OMAS) means the USPS government 
specific system used to track postage.
    Outgoing mail means mail generated within a Federal facility that 
is going outside that facility.
    Personal mail means incoming or outgoing mail that is not related 
to official business of the Federal Government.
    Postage means payment for delivery service that is affixed or 
imprinted to a mail piece usually in the form of a postage stamp, 
permit, imprint, or meter impression.
    Presort means a mail preparation process used to receive a 
discounted mail rate by sorting mail according to USPS standards.
    Program level means a component, bureau, regional office and/or a 
facility that generates outgoing mail.
    Service provider means any agency or company that delivers 
materials and mail. Some examples of service providers are DHL, FedEx, 
UPS, USPS, courier services, the Department of Defense, the Department 
of State's Diplomatic Pouch and Mail Division, and other Federal 
agencies providing mail services.
    Sustainability and Sustainable mean to create and maintain 
conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive 
harmony, that permit fulfilling the social, economic, and other 
requirements of present and future generations.
    Telework means a work flexibility arrangement under which an 
employee performs the duties and responsibilities of such employee's 
position, and other authorized activities, from an approved worksite 
other than the location from which the employee would otherwise work.
    Unauthorized use of agency postage means the use of penalty or 
commercial mail stamps, meter impressions, or other postage indicia for 
personal or unofficial use.
    Worksharing is one way of processing outgoing mail so that the mail 
qualifies for reduced postage rates. Examples of worksharing include 
presorting, bar coding, consolidating, and commingling.


Sec.  102-192.40  Where can we obtain more information about the 
classes of mail?

    You can learn more about mail classes in the Domestic Mail Manual 
(DMM). The DMM is available online at http://pe.usps.gov or you can 
order a copy from: Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, P.O. Box 979050, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000.


Sec.  102-192.45  How can we request a deviation from these 
requirements, and who can approve it?

    See Sec. Sec.  102-2.60 through 102-2.110 of this chapter to 
request a deviation from the requirements of this part. The 
Administrator of General Services and those to whom the Administrator 
has delegated such authority have the power to approve or deny a 
deviation.

Subpart B--Agency Requirements

Financial Requirements for All Agencies


Sec.  102-192.50  What payment processes are we required to use?

    (a) All payments to the USPS must be made using either--
    (1) The U.S. Treasury Intergovernmental Payment and Collection 
Payment (IPAC) process associated with the Official Mail Accounting 
System (OMAS), or
    (2) The USPS Centralized Account Processing System (CAPS) 
associated with commercial payments.
    (b) Payments made to service providers other than USPS must be made 
by U.S. Treasury payment methods such as automated clearing house-
electronic funds transfer or a Personal Identification Number (PIN) 
based debit card.


Sec.  102-192.55  Why must we use these payment processes?

    In accordance with 44 U.S.C. 2904, GSA is required to standardize 
and improve accountability with respect to records management, 
including Federal mail management.


Sec.  102-192.60  How do we implement these payment processes?

    Guidance on implementing payment processes can be found at http://www.fms.treas.gov/index.html.


Sec.  102-192.65  What features must our finance systems have to keep 
track of mail expenditures?

    All agencies must have an accountable system for making postage 
payments; that is, a system that allocates postage expenses at the 
program level within the agency and makes program level managers 
accountable for obligating and tracking those expenses. The agency will 
have to determine the appropriate program level for this requirement 
because the level at which it is cost beneficial differs widely. The 
agency's finance systems should track all mail expenditures separately 
to the program level or below, and should--
    (a) Show expenses for postage and all other mail expenditures, 
payments to service providers, etc., separate from all other 
administrative expenses;
    (b) Allow mail centers to establish systems to charge their 
customers for mail expenditures; and
    (c) Identify and charge the mail expenditures that are part of 
printing contracts down to the program level.

Security Requirements for All Agencies


Sec.  102-192.70  What security policies and plans must we have?

    (a) Agencies must have a written mail security policy that applies 
throughout your agency.
    (b) Agencies also must have a written mail security plan for each 
facility that processes mail, regardless of the facility's mail volume.
    (c) Agencies must have a security policy for employees receiving 
incoming and sending outgoing mail at an alternative worksite, such as 
a telework center.
    (d) The scope and level of detail of each facility mail security 
plan should be commensurate with the size and responsibilities of each 
facility. For small facilities, agencies may use a general plan for 
similar locations. For larger locations, agencies must develop a plan 
that is specifically tailored to the threats and risks at your 
location. Agencies should determine which facilities they consider are 
small and large for the purposes of this section, so long as the basic 
requirements for a security plan are met at every facility.
    (e) All mail managers are required to report annually the status of 
their mail security plans to agency headquarters. At a minimum, this 
report should assure that all mail security plans complies with the 
requirements of this part,

[[Page 27912]]

including annual review by a subject matter expert and regular 
rehearsal of responses to various emergency situations by facility 
personnel.
    (f) A security professional who has expertise in mail center 
security should review the agency's mail security plan and policies 
annually to include identification of any deficiencies. Review of 
facility mail security plans can be accomplished by subject matter 
experts such as agency security personnel. If these experts are not 
available within your agency, seek assistance from the U.S. Postal 
Inspection Service or the Federal Protective Service (FPS).


Sec.  102-192.75  Why must we have written security policies and plans?

    All Federal mail programs must identify, prioritize, and coordinate 
the protection of all mail processing facilities in order to prevent, 
deter, and mitigate the effects of deliberate efforts to destroy, 
incapacitate, or exploit the mail center or the national mail 
infrastructure. Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD 7) at 
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/hspd-7.html requires all agencies 
to protect key resources from terrorist attacks. All Federal mail 
centers are identified as key resources under the Postal and Shipping 
Sector Plan. Further details on the plan can be found at the Department 
of Homeland Security's (DHS) Web site.


Sec.  102-192.80  How do we develop written security policies and 
plans?

    Agency mail managers must coordinate with their agency security 
service and/or the FPS or the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to develop 
agency mail security policies and plans. The FPS has developed 
standards for building construction and management, including standards 
for mail centers. At a minimum, the agency mail security plan must 
address the following topics:
    (a) Risk assessment;
    (b) A plan to protect staff and all other occupants of agency 
facilities from hazards that might be delivered in the mail;
    (c) Operating procedures;
    (d) A plan to provide a visible mail screening operation;
    (e) Training mail center personnel;
    (f) Testing and rehearsing responses to various emergency 
situations by agency personnel;
    (g) Managing threats;
    (h) Communications plan;
    (i) Occupant Emergency Plan;
    (j) Continuity of Operations Plan; and
    (k) Annual reviews of the agency's security plan.

Reporting Requirements for All Agencies


Sec.  102-192.85  Who must report to GSA annually?

    All agencies regardless of size must provide an annual Mail 
Management Report to GSA. If your agency is a cabinet level or 
independent agency, the agency mail manager must compile all offices or 
components and submit one report for the department or agency as a 
whole, for example, the Department of Defense or the Department of 
Health and Human Services.


Sec.  102-192.90  What must we include in our annual mail management 
report to GSA?

    Your agency must provide an agency-wide response to the GSA 
requested data elements. GSA will provide the list of data elements in 
a Federal Management Regulation (FMR) Bulletin. GSA coordinates all 
mail management related FMR Bulletins with the Federal Mail Executive 
Council and updates them as necessary. FMR Bulletins are available at: 
http://www.gsa.gov/bulletins.


Sec.  102-192.95  Why does GSA require annual mail management reports?

    GSA requires annual agency mail management reports to--
    (a) Ensure that Federal agencies have the policies, procedures, and 
data to manage their mail operations efficiently and effectively;
    (b) Ensure that appropriate security measures are in place; and
    (c) Allow GSA to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal 
Records Act, especially with regards to sharing best practices, 
information on training, and promulgating standards, procedures, and 
guidelines.


Sec.  102-192.100  How do we submit our annual mail management report 
to GSA?

    You must submit annual reports using the GSA web based Simplified 
Mail Accountability Reporting Tool (SMART). Training is available from 
GSA to agency mail managers and other authorized users on how to use 
the SMART data reporting system. Contact the Mail Management Program 
office for access and training at 202-501-1777.


Sec.  102-192.105  When must we submit our annual mail management 
report to GSA?

    Your annual report is due on October 31 of each year for the 
previous fiscal year.

Performance Measurement Requirements for All Agencies


Sec.  102-192.110  At what levels in our agency must we have 
performance measures?

    You must have performance measures for mail operations at the 
agency level and in all facilities and for all program levels.


Sec.  102-192.115  Why must we use performance measures?

    Performance measures gauge the success of your mail management 
plans and processes by comparing performance over time and among 
organizations. Performance measures--
    (a) Define goals and objectives;
    (b) Enhance resource allocation; and
    (c) Provide accountability.

Agency Mail Manager Requirements


Sec.  102-192.120  Must we have an agency mail manager?

    Yes, every Federal agency as defined in Sec.  102-192.35, must have 
an agency mail manager.


Sec.  102-192.125  What is the appropriate managerial level for an 
agency mail manager?

    The agency mail manager should be at a managerial level that 
enables him or her to speak for the agency on mail management as 
outlined in this part.


Sec.  102-192.130  What are your general responsibilities as an agency 
mail manager?

    In addition to carrying out the responsibilities mentioned above, 
an agency mail manager should--
    (a) Establish written policies and procedures to provide timely and 
cost effective dispatch and delivery of mail and materials;
    (b) Ensure agency-wide awareness and compliance with standards and 
operational procedures established by all service providers used by the 
agency;
    (c) Set policies for expedited mail, mass mailings, mailing lists, 
and couriers;
    (d) Implement cost savings through:
    (1) Consolidating and presorting wherever practical, e.g., internal 
and external mail, and consolidation of agency-wide mail operations and 
official mail facilities; and
    (2) Reducing the volume of Federal-agency to Federal-agency mail 
whenever possible.
    (e) Develop and direct agency programs and plans for proper and 
cost effective use of transportation, equipment, and supplies used for 
mail;
    (f) Ensure that all facility and program level mail personnel 
receive appropriate training and certifications to successfully perform 
their assigned duties;

[[Page 27913]]

    (g) Promote professional certification for mail managers and mail 
center employees;
    (h) Ensure that expedited mail service providers are used only when 
authorized by the Private Express Statutes, 39 U.S.C. 601-606;
    (i) Establish written policies and procedures to minimize incoming 
and outgoing personal mail;
    (j) Provide guidance to agency representatives who develop 
correspondence or design mailing materials including Business Reply 
Mail, letterhead, and mail piece design;
    (k) Represent the agency in its relations with service providers, 
other agency mail managers, and the GSA Office of Governmentwide 
Policy;
    (l) Ensure agency policy incorporates Federal hazardous materials 
requirements set forth in 49 CFR parts 100-180; and
    (m) Ensure agency sustainable activities become part of the mail 
program by incorporating strategies in accordance with Executive Order 
13514 of October 5, 2009 (``Federal Leadership in Environmental, 
Energy, and Economic Performance''), specifically Sec. 8 that describes 
the Agency Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan.

Subpart C--GSA's Responsibilities and Services


Sec.  102-192.135  What are GSA's responsibilities in mail management?

    44 U.S.C 2904(b) directs the Administrator of General Services to 
provide guidance and assistance to Federal agencies to ensure 
economical and efficient records management. 44 U.S.C. 2901(2) and 
(4)(C) define the processing of mail by Federal agencies as part of 
records management. In carrying out its responsibilities under the Act, 
GSA is required to--
    (a) Develop standards, procedures, and guidelines;
    (b) Conduct research to improve practices and programs;
    (c) Collect and disseminate information on training programs, 
technological developments, etc;
    (d) Establish one or more interagency committees (e.g., the Federal 
Mail Executive Council, and the Interagency Mail Policy Council) as 
necessary to provide an exchange of information among Federal agencies;
    (e) Conduct studies, inspections, or surveys;
    (f) Promote economy and efficiency in the selection and utilization 
of space, staff, equipment, and supplies; and
    (g) In the event of an emergency, at the request of DHS, cooperate 
with DHS in communicating with agencies about mail related issues.


Sec.  102-192.140  What types of support does GSA offer to Federal 
agency mail management programs?

    (a) GSA supports Federal agency mail management programs by--
    (1) Assisting in the development of agency policy and guidance in 
mail management and mail operations;
    (2) Identifying best business practices and sharing them with 
Federal agencies;
    (3) Developing and providing access to a Governmentwide management 
information system for mail;
    (4) Helping agencies develop performance measures and management 
information systems for mail;
    (5) Maintaining a current list of agency mail managers;
    (6) Establishing, developing, and maintaining interagency mail 
committees;
    (7) Maintaining liaison with the USPS and other service providers 
at the national level;
    (8) Maintaining a publically accessible Web site for mail 
communications policy; and
    (9) Serving as a point of contact for all Federal agencies on mail 
issues.
    (b) For further information contact: U.S. General Services 
Administration, Office of Governmentwide Policy (MA), 1275 First Street 
NE., Washington, DC 20417; telephone 202-501-1777, or email: 
[email protected].

[FR Doc. 2013-11139 Filed 5-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-P