[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 77 (Friday, April 20, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 23643-23647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9537]
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POSTAL SERVICE
39 CFR Part 111
Advance Notice of Implementation of Full-Service Intelligent Mail
Required for Automation Prices
AGENCY: Postal Service.
ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service is planning to move to the Full-Service
Intelligent Mail[supreg] option to access automation prices for
letters, postcards and flats, effective January 2014. The ``Full-
Service'' Intelligent Mail program requires use of unique Intelligent
Mail barcodes (IMb\TM\) applied to letter, postcard and flat
mailpieces, trays, sacks, and containers, such as pallets, and
submission of electronic mailing documentation. This plan includes the
transition to the use of eDocumentation, along with additional
information to support the By/For relationships, and replacement of the
10/24 transition tray label with the full use of the 24-digit tray
label Intelligent Mail barcode format.
This Federal Register document provides advance information to help
mailers prepare and plan for the transition to Full-Service and asks
for information about the possible challenges mailers perceive to
moving to Full-Service, the operational changes they will have to make,
the costs and benefits of those changes, and steps the Postal Service
could take to assist mailers in moving to Full-Service. The USPS\TM\
looks forward to mailer feedback on all aspects of this plan. In
addition, the USPS strongly encourages current Full-Service users to
provide feedback about the benefits and value-added they have
experienced by converting to Full-Service.
DATES: Comments on this advance notice of proposed rulemaking are due
June 4, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Manager, Product
Classification, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., Room 4446,
Washington, DC 20260-5015. Comments and questions can also be emailed
to [email protected] using the subject line ``Full-Service
January 2014.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ana Cikowski; email: [email protected]; phone: 202-268-8079.
Himesh Patel; email: [email protected]; phone: 703-280-7498.
William Chatfield; email: [email protected]; phone: 202-268-
7278.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In January 2009, USPS offered the mailing industry two Intelligent
Mail barcode (IMb\TM\) options for automation discounts. The options
included the ``Full-Service'' option, requiring unique IMbs, and the
``basic'' IMb option, which does not require unique barcodes.
Currently, a large number of mailers are using the Full-Service and
basic IMb options and enjoy the additional benefits and value of using
these options.
As part of the transformation of data visibility and continued
evolution of
[[Page 23644]]
technological innovations, the Postal Service is planning to move to
the Full-Service Intelligent Mail option to qualify for any automation
letter, postcard, and flat prices, effective January 2014. Full-Service
Intelligent Mail combines use of unique scan codes with the provision
of electronic information on mail makeup and preparation to enable a
variety of high-value services and efficient mail processing, and to
establish a stronger partnership between mailers and the Postal
Service. The vision is to create 100 percent visibility into the mail
stream by 2014. This vision means that customers will know in real time
where their mail or packages are in the postal network and precisely
when they are delivered. Use of the IMb, especially Full-Service,
allows the mailing industry to use information and technology to build
value in the mail.
Even though the use of basic IMb is a good first step to create
visibility in the mail stream, it does not require unique barcodes.
Uniqueness of the IMb barcode provides customized information which is
a major benefit to customers who can then use this information to
create successful marketing campaigns. Thus, the movement to Full-
Service is fundamental to the 100% visibility strategy and a major step
into the future of the technology evolution.
The plan is that effective with the proposed starting date of
January 2014 only Full-Service mail pieces would be eligible for
automation pricing. Also, as published in a separate Federal Register
proposed rule, letters and flats with POSTNET\TM\ barcodes would no
longer be eligible for automation prices as of January 2013 (See http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-02/html/2012-5050.htm).
There are secondary benefits to using Full-Service. Barcode
uniqueness also enables preciseness of measurement of the amount of
time between operations in the postal system and opens the door to the
next level of achievement in processing efficiency and service
performance. Full-Service Intelligent Mail offers a sound foundation
for continued improvements in providing robust service for commercial
mailers.
Full-Service Intelligent Mail offers a number of advantages to
mailers and the Postal Service. These advantages are tied directly to
the Full-Service requirements. For mailers, these advantages include:
Unique barcodes enable the Postal Service to provide
mailers with comprehensive information on the status of mailings as
they progress through the postal system.
``Nesting'' information provided by the mailer enables the
tracking of the individual pieces and trays based on scans performed on
larger containers.
Visibility allows mailers to more effectively respond to
customer inquiries on the status of valuable bills, statements,
catalogs, and publications.
Full service mailings receive access to free address
change information and tracking information from mail entry to final
destination.
Waiver of annual mailing fee for permits where all postage
statements contain 90% or more Full-Service pieces.
eDocumentation combined with Full Service unique barcodes
will provide access to Seamless Acceptance and eInduction. Both will be
paperless processes:
--Seamless acceptance will be an automated verification process based
on comparing electronic documentation with scans of Intelligent Mail
barcodes collected in postal operations and through the use of handheld
scanning technology at points of induction. Data captured through
scanning will be compared to mailer submitted electronic documentation
and reports of overall mail quality will be trended over a period of
time. Participation in seamless acceptance will allow mailers
additional production cycle time prior to entering their mailings.
--eInduction will leverage scanning technologies to simplify the
induction process for mailer transported mailings. eInduction will
allow containers with IM container barcodes and appropriate electronic
documentation to be offloaded and inducted straight into postal
operations without the use of hard copy PS Forms 8125 or 8017.
Full-Service also provides the ``Mail Anywhere'' model
which allows for the use of a single permit at any PostalOne! site for
mailings containing 90% or more Full-Service pieces (applies to First-
Class, Standard, and Bound Printed Matter).
Many mailers find the visibility information provided by Full-
Service mail useful in planning their own operations, in assessing the
success of advertising campaigns, and in improving their own customer
interaction. Knowledge of where a mailpiece is located in the postal
network and when that piece should be delivered can prove useful in
communicating with customers.
Advantages for the Postal Service include:
Visibility into the flow of mail through the postal
network, enabling enhanced diagnostics of service performance.
Scan information on containers, trays and pieces allows us
to measure the number of hours and minutes between operations. This
data has been used to identify operational bottlenecks and that has
enabled us to significantly improve service for commercial First-Class
Mail, Standard Mail, and Periodicals.
The ability to provide real-time alerts to operations
enabling them to respond and avoid possible service failures.
Advance notification of volumes and makeup of commercial
mail, enabling improved resource planning.
Accurate tracking of mail volumes as they move through the
postal network, again enabling improved management of operations and
resource planning.
Simplified mail acceptance processes.
The ability to measure service performance for each Full-
Service mailer.
Mailer use of Full-Service Intelligent Mail is a key part of the
Postal Service's ongoing strategy for providing cost-effective and
service-responsive mailing services. Efficient use of postal resources
can be achieved with advance information on content and makeup of the
mail that is flowing through the postal network. Postal sorting
equipment captures volume and destination information on mail as it is
sorted. The Postal Service has built and is refining systems that make
information available to downstream facilities and operations so that
it can be used for operational planning. This planning data offers
significant opportunities for improved efficiency and service
performance. However, these benefits cannot be fully captured when a
significant proportion of mail (that prepared and entered by large-
volume commercial mailers and mail preparers) does not provide similar
information. The information on the content and makeup of mail that is
provided by mailers who participate in Full-Service Intelligent Mail
meets this information need.
Full-Service Intelligent Mail also enables simplification of
current mail acceptance procedures. Under seamless acceptance, which is
possible only with the data and unique identifiers of Full-Service
mailings (pieces nesting in trays and trays inside containers),
business mail acceptance procedures will be scaled down, with
automation mailings verified during mail processing operations.
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The Postal Service has worked closely with mailers, software
providers, and mail service providers to simplify, refine and evolve
our Full-Service offerings over the past four years since Full-Service
requirements were introduced. Thousands of mailers, software providers
and mail service providers have demonstrated their ability to meet the
requirements for Full-Service Intelligent Mail. The Postal Service
continues to develop new tools, and to enhance and simplify existing
tools, to make it easier for mailers to prepare and submit Full-Service
mailings.
In support of the POSTNET discontinuation and Full-Service
requirement, and to assist mailers transitioning to the Intelligent
Mail barcode, the USPS is announcing two online self-service tools: The
Automated Business Reply Mail (ABRM) tool and the Intelligent Mail
Small Business (IMsb) tool. These tools allow mailers to print an
Intelligent Mail barcode on reply mailpieces and outgoing mailings,
respectively.
The Postal Service recognizes that there are costs to converting to
Full-Service Intelligent Mail. To help the industry offset those costs,
we are investigating further increasing the incentive for Full-Service
mail users.
We are interested in gaining insight into the challenges mailers
perceive in their ability to move to full participation in the IMb
Full-Service offering, including the anticipated cost or, for those
already using this offering the actual cost, of doing so and
information on steps the Postal Service could take to assist mailers in
moving to full participation. We are also interested in the perceived
benefits, and for those already using this offering the actual
benefits, to mailers from moving to full participation in the IMb Full-
Service offering. Mailer input about the changes needed to make to move
to Full Service and the costs of those changes is extremely important
information to support the plan to move to the Full-Service requirement
for automation discounts. We are looking for responses from both
current Full Service users and non-users. Mailer responses to this
advance notice of proposed rulemaking should address the following
topics so that the Postal Service can develop appropriate plans and
responses to these concerns:
Your role in the mailing industry (mail owner, mail
preparer, software vendor, hardware vendor, or other).
Your business's use of the mail, including approximate
annual volume of mail by class (First-Class Mail[supreg], Standard
Mail[supreg], Periodicals) and shape (cards, letters, flats) of mail
and the frequency of your mailings (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly,
or annually).
The value your business has gained from the use of Full-
Service.
Your recommendations for others to convert.
Your lessons learned and ideas to enhance the transition
processes.
How your mailing patterns have changed based on the value
added with Full-Service.
If not participating in Full-Service, the changes you will
be required to make to move from your current mailing practices to the
use of IMb Full-Service. Include upgrades to software, hardware,
changes to mail preparation procedures, and submission of
edocumentation.
The estimated one-time investment cost and any ongoing
costs of changes to mail preparation and printing.
Value of increased visibility, access to free or lower
fees for address change information, and elimination of permit fees.
Value of simplified acceptance procedures.
Value of ability to use a single permit at multiple
mailing locations.
Any mail volume patterns that you foresee as you convert.
Other specific areas of concern or challenges.
Requirements for Full-Service Intelligent Mail
Intelligent Mail Barcodes
Mailpiece barcode. The 65-bar Intelligent Mail barcode
(IMb) accommodates 31-digits of data on letter and flat mailpieces. The
IMb contains additional fields that encode ancillary services, identify
the mailer and the class of mail, and allow unique numbering/
serialization of the mailpiece. The USPS will issue a unique Mailer ID
to each full-service IMb mailer, which must be included in the
Intelligent Mail barcode. Mailers are required to uniquely number each
mailpiece in a mailing, and not reuse numbers for a period of 45 days
from the date of induction.
Tray barcode. An Intelligent Mail tray barcode (IMtb) is
required on letter trays, flat trays and sacks. Unlike today's 10-digit
tray barcode that contains only routing information, the 24-digit
Intelligent Mail tray barcode includes additional fields to identify
the mailer and uniquely number each tray or sack. Mailers must include
their USPS-assigned Mailer ID in the Intelligent Mail tray barcode.
Mailers are required to uniquely number each tray or sack in a mailing,
and not reuse each number for a period of 45 days from the date of
induction. Pieces inside each tray must be linked or nested to the IMb
tray barcode.
Container barcode. An Intelligent Mail container barcode
(IMcb) is required on all containers used to transport mail such as
pallets, all purpose containers (APCs), rolling stock, and gaylords.
This 21-digit IMcb includes fields to identify the mailer and uniquely
number each container. Mailers must include their USPS-assigned Mailer
ID in the IMcb. Mailers are required to uniquely number each container
in a mailing, and not reuse each number for a period of 45 days from
the date of induction. Trays inside the container must be linked or
nested to the IMb container barcode.
Electronic Documentation and Appointment Scheduling
Full-Service mailings must be accompanied by electronic
documentation in addition to or instead of the printed postage
statement and presort documentation currently required to mail at
automation rates. Mailers typically furnish hard copy postage
statements and documentation, or supply a computer terminal at their
site for USPS acceptance personnel to view their documentation. Many
mailers have transitioned to electronic submission of their postage
statements and mailing documentation to the Postal Service's
PostalOne![supreg] system using Mail.dat[supreg], Mail.XML, or Postal
Wizard.
Full-Service IMb mailers are required to use one of these three
methods to send their electronic mailing information to the PostalOne!
system. The PostalOne! system translates the customer-generated
electronic information into postage statements and supporting
documentation, such as qualification and container reports, that are
used for verification, acceptance, and induction processes. By
submitting documents electronically, mailers avoid the creation of
paper-based forms, use this technology to manage their mailing data,
and enable the Postal Service to capture its own efficiencies.
Mailer electronic documentation for Full-Service mailings contains
information about Intelligent Mail barcodes applied to mailpieces,
trays or sacks, and containers. Also, it identifies the unique
Intelligent Mail barcodes applied to each mailpiece, tray or sack, and
container; it describes how mailpieces are linked to handling units,
such as trays and sacks, and how mailpieces and handling units are
linked to containers. In addition, documentation provides linkage among
containers, trays and sacks when mail is
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co-palletized, combined or comingled (in-house or at a different
plant). The electronic documentation identifies spoilage or shortage of
pieces in a mailing. Additionally it identifies the preparer of the
mailing and the mailer for whom the mailing is prepared (i.e., Mail
Owner). Mail Owner identification is required for all Full-Service
pieces in the mailing. Mailers that otherwise meet the full-service
standards and use Postal Wizard for mailings that do not require
additional documentation to support presort (mailings of fewer than
10,000 pieces with postage affixed to each piece at the correct price
or if all pieces are of identical weight, the pieces are separated by
price, or mailings all at an MAADC or MADC price) are not required to
submit this additional documentation.
Appointments play a critical role with service performance
measurement, processing and delivery of mail. At the USPS facilities
that support FAST[supreg] (Facility Access and Shipment Tracking),
mailers will be required to schedule appointments using the FAST system
for drop-ship mailings and for all origin-entered mail verified at a
detached mail unit (DMU) and transported by the mailer. Mailers may
schedule appointments online using the FAST web site or they may submit
appointment requests through PostalOne! FAST Web Services using the
Mail.XML specification. For improved service performance measurement,
visibility, and operational planning, USPS recommends that mailers link
their Intelligent Mail container barcodes (IMcb) to their appointments.
Mailers can provide container barcodes as part of the stand-alone
content creation, appointment creation, and update processes through
PostalOne! FAST Web Services. Mailers can also receive closeout data
through FAST online reports or PostalOne! FAST Web Services.
Additional Mailing Information Available With Full-Service
Mailpiece quality and visibility information is available through
the online USPS Business Customer Gateway tool and through PostalOne!
Web Services (Mail.XML). Mailers can query the information or obtain an
automated subscription. USPS, as part of the Full-Service program, is
making the following information available: Container and tray
induction and processing scans, IMb tracing bundle and piece scans;
start-the-clock information; address correction data; and certain
quality and documentation error reporting information. An IMb embeds
the following data:
Barcode ID: The barcode identifier is a 2-digit field used
to specify the presort makeup.
Service Type Identifier: Indicates class of mail and
requested special services such as scan information or address
correction.
Mailer ID: Mandatory 6- or 9-digit identifier of mail
owners and/or mailing agents, assigned by the Postal Service based upon
mail volume of owner/agent.
Serial Number: Complementary with Mailer ID for a combined
total of 15 digits, leaves mailer/agent with 6 or 9 digits for unique
mailpiece identifier. Mailpiece IDs must not be reused within 45 days
of induction date.
Delivery Point Routing Code: The None, 5-, 9- or 11-digit
ZIP Code corresponding to the delivery address.
For accessing automation prices through Full-Service, information
required in the Intelligent Mail barcode includes Service Type
Identifier (showing class of mail), Mailer ID, delivery point routing
code, OEL information (if printed on the mailpiece) and a unique serial
number.
To view final specifications and for detailed information on how to
generate the Intelligent Mail barcode, access the Intelligent Mail
barcode link from RIBBS http://ribbs.usps.gov.
Intelligent Mail Tray Barcode for Trays and Sacks
Starting in January 2014, Full Service automation discounts require
pure 24-digit Intelligent Mail Tray barcodes (IMtb). An IMtb contains
the following information:
ZIP Code:TM A 5 digit ZIP Code used to identify
the destination of the tray or sack.
Content Identifier Number (CIN): Describes tray or sack
content, including presort level and class.
Content Label Source (L SRC): Designates whether tray or
sack contents are automation compatible.
Mailer ID: A 6-digit or 9-digit Mailer ID assigned by the
Postal Service for use in the Intelligent Mail barcodes.
Serial Number: A mailer will use this field to uniquely
identify individual trays or sacks. If a 6-digit Mailer ID is assigned,
the mailer will have 8 digits to uniquely identify the handling units.
If a 9-digit Mailer ID is assigned, the mailer will have 5 digits to
identify the handling units. To participate in the Full Service option,
the Serial Number field is populated with a unique number for each
handling unit (tray or sack) in the mailing. These unique mailpiece IDs
must be maintained unique for 45 days from the date of induction.
Label Type: Indicates Mailer ID field length.
To access automation prices through the Full Service option,
mailers will be required to populate all fields in the Intelligent Mail
tray barcode to include a unique serial number.
To view the final specifications and for detailed information on
how to generate the Intelligent Mail tray barcode, access the
Intelligent Mail tray label link from http://ribbs.usps.gov/.
Intelligent Mail Container Barcode for Pallets, APCs, Rolling Stock
Mailers typically label containers of mail deposited with the
Postal Service. For Full Service, mailers must apply a unique
Intelligent Mail container barcode (IMcb) to container labels and keep
the barcode unique for at least 45 days from the date of induction.
This IMcb includes fields to identify the mailer and uniquely identify
each container. To comply with the Full Service option standards,
mailers must apply a label to all containers such as pallets, APCs,
rolling stock, and gaylords.
The Intelligent Mail container barcode has two formats. The format
a mailer uses depends upon the Mailer ID assigned by the Postal
Service. The IMcb label specifications are available in two physical
sizes for the IMcb barcode labels: One is the 8'' min x 11'' format
available at RIBBS, and the other one is the 4'' x 7'' self adhesive
format, also available at RIBBS.
Application ID (Appl ID): ``99'' indicates the source of
the barcode.
Type Indicator: ``M'' indicates a mailer-generated
barcode.
Mailer ID: A 6-digit or 9-digit Mailer ID assigned by the
Postal Service for use in the Intelligent Mail barcodes.
Serial Number: A mailer will use this field to uniquely
identify individual containers. If a 6-digit Mailer ID is assigned, the
mailer will have 12-digits to uniquely identify the containers. If a 9-
digit MID is assigned, the mailer will have 9 digits to identify the
containers. To participate in the Full Service option, the serial
number field is populated with a unique number for each container in
the mailing. These unique mailpiece IDs must not be reused for 45 days
from the date of induction. To access the automation prices through the
Full Service option, mailers will be required to populate all fields in
the Intelligent Mail container barcode to include a unique serial
number. To view the final specifications and for detailed information
on how to generate the Intelligent Mail container barcode, access the
Intelligent Mail
[[Page 23647]]
Container barcode link from RIBBS http://ribbs.usps.gov.
Electronic Documentation
To participate in Full Service, mailers must submit their postage
statements and mailing documentation, when applicable, electronically
using one of three methods: Mail.dat[supreg], Mail.XML[supreg], or
Postal Wizard[supreg] to transmit electronic information. These data
are transmitted to the Postal Service's PostalOne! system, where they
are used for verification, acceptance, payment, service performance
measurement, and induction planning and processing. The PostalOne!
system can also use this information to automate payment processes
using ACH Debit or Credit payment methods. With the PostalOne! system,
mailers have access to their mailing documentation and financial
transaction information 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Mail.dat: Mail.dat file submission is part of the overall
PostalOne! application and provides customers the capability to submit
mailing documentation over a secure connection. Mail.dat uses industry-
standard electronic file formats to facilitate communication. Mailing
information is used to generate documentation to support verification,
payment, and induction processes. Mail.dat specifications are available
at http://ribbs.usps.gov.
Mail.XML: The Mail.XML is an overarching communication
specification that allows mailers to communicate electronic
documentation and manage appointments with the Postal Service, while
enabling it to provide quality, address correction, induction, and
visibility information back to mailers. Mail.XML can also be used to
communicate between mailers and consolidators/transporters. Mail.XML is
part of the overall PostalOne! application that enables a just-in-time
connection (send information when you are ready to share). The Mail.XML
Web Service uses a Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) to submit
information in an Extensible Markup Language (XML) format that ensures
data are sent and received by applications written in various languages
and deployed on various platforms. Mailing information is sent via
Mail.XML to the PostalOne! system where the information is stored and
used to generate documentation to support verification and payment.
Mail.XML specifications are available at the following link: http://ribbs.usps.gov.
Postal Wizard: The Postage Statement Wizard is an online tool that
allows mailers to enter their postage statement information using a
secure PostalOne! account. The Postage Statement Wizard verifies
completed information for an online postage statement and automatically
populates the Permit Holder section of the postage statement based on
the account number provided. It guides the user through items needed to
complete the statement. The Postal Wizard automatically calculates
postage and validates information entered. Once a postage statement is
completed online, electronic statements will be submitted directly to
the acceptance unit.
For detailed information about electronic mailing information
options, access the following RIBBS link http://ribbs.usps.gov.
Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2012-9537 Filed 4-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P