Handbook F-75 October 2003 Transmittal Letter 4
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Data Collection User’s Guide for Revenue, Volume, and Performance Measurement System Handbook F-75 October 2003 Transmittal Letter 4 A. Purpose. This handbook is a training aid and reference for employees at districts and Post Offices who conduct the Origin Destination Information System and Revenue, Pieces and Weight (ODIS- RPW) tests. The new procedures are part of the Postal Service’s continual effort to improve annual productivity through benchmarking and standardization of best practices as outlined in the Transformation Plan. B. Distribution. 1. Initial. This handbook is distributed to Statistical Programs Service Centers, managers of Statisti- cal Programs, and other offices and personnel involved with ODIS-RPW testing. 2. Copies. Order additional copies of Handbook F-75 from the Material Distribution Center by one of the following means: Touch Tone Order Entry (TTOE). Call 800-332-0317, and listen carefully to the message, as the prompts have changed. Note: You must be registered to use TTOE. To register, call 800-332-0317, extension 2925, and follow the prompts to leave a message (wait 48 hours before you place your first order). E-mail. Complete PS Form 7380, MDC Supply Requisition (manually or by using FormFlow), and send it as an attachment to the e-mail address MDC Customer Service or to [email protected]. Mail. Mail a completed PS Form 7380 to the MDC at the following address: SUPPLY REQUISITIONS MATERIAL DISTRIBUTION CENTER 500 SW GARY ORMSBY DR TOPEKA KS 66624-9702 C. Online Availability. You may view this handbook in electronic format on the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/cpim; click on HBKs. The Statistical Programs Web site also provides a link to this handbook at http://blue.usps.gov/statprog/; click the SPFS button. 475 L’ENFANT PLAZA SW WASHINGTON DC 20260-5000 WWW.USPS.COM D. Comments. Please refer all questions and suggestions about the content, clarity, organization, and editing of this document in writing to: MANAGER STATISTICAL PROGRAMS UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 475 L’ENFANT PLAZA SW RM 1830 WASHINGTON DC 20260-1830 E. Effective Date. This handbook is effective October 2003, and includes information previously pub- lished in Statistical Programs correspondence up through and including Policy Memo Statistical Programs Letter #6, FY 2003, dated February 10, 2003. Donna M. Peak Vice President Finance, Controller Summary of Changes Summary of Changes Revisions to this October 2003 issue of Handbook F-75, Data Collection User’s Guide for Revenue, Volume, and Performance Measurement Systems render the following publications obsolete: Handbook F-75: Data Collection User’s Guide for Revenue, Volume, and Performance Measurement Systems (September 1999) All changes contained within this revision are effective October 1, 2003. All changes to definitions, software navigation instructions, and recording rules reflect changes in the software. In every case, software screen examples have been updated and descriptions given to reflect those changes. The following revisions have been made: Overview The user’s guide for the ODIS and the RPW systems is consolidated into one chapter which reflects the software change of combining the two systems into the ODIS-RPW system. Updated instructions reflect the new Windows XP navigation of the ODIS-RPW system software. Globals Standard Mail (A) is changed to Standard Mail. Standard Mail (B) is changed to Package Services. MEP DBMS is changed to MEP System. MEP History System is changed to MEP History Reports. MEP HS is changed to MEP History Reports. MEP DBMS Listing is changed to MEP System Listing. Special Instructions/MEP Memo field is changed to Special Instructions. Preface Updated list of handbook conventions. Updated list of acronyms. October 2003 Page iii Data Collection User’s Guide for Revenue, Volume, and Performance Measurement System Chapter 1 Section 1.1.1 describes the survey design changing from a separate ODIS and RPW to a combined ODIS-RPW system. The ODIS-RPW sampling process for MEPS is divided into two stages instead of into three stages as was for RPW in the past. COU testing (COU-days) remains in panel offices. Section 1.1.3 replaces the CODES Base Unit with the CODES Web Base Unit. Section 1.1.4 describes that ODIS-RPW data have moved to support of Workload Flex Budgets instead of the discontinued EVA program. Also, more detail reporting categories are provided. Section 1.2 describes ODIS-RPW data collectors now recording RPW and ODIS characteristics during laptop data entry. Discussion of the distribution of tests and the estimation process is moved to Appendix I. Chapter 2 Section 2.1 combines information on how to access sample files on the CODES Laptop and from the CODES Web Base Unit. Section 2.2 incorporates information on rescheduling or canceling ODIS-RPW tests, previously found in Section 2.3. This section also outlines steps needed to prepare for calling the test site the day before the test. Prior references did not outline the importance of preparation for the call. The steps now include a specific reference to explaining the cutoff times to the postmaster or designee and removes a question to ask about carrier departure time. Chapter 3 As noted above, software changes reflect changes in the navigation of the newly developed ODIS-RPW system using the Windows platform. Changes in policy are summarized below: Section 3.1 includes guidelines for MEP cutoff times. Section 3.2 includes an exception for sampling reprocessed Detached Mailing Cards. Section 3.3 no longer references COU sampling. This information has been moved to Section 3.10. Section 3.4 includes no substantive changes since the last publication. Sections 3.5, 3.6, and 3.7 are Census, Mailpiece Skip and Container Skip Subsampling Procedures. RPW data collectors are now following ODIS sampling instructions with minor changes. References to noncountable mail are removed. Also, COU sampling instructions are removed in Sections 3.5 and 3.6. Section 3.5 provides step by-step instructions for conducting a census as in the last publication; however, the information has been re-organized for ease in following. Page iv Handbook F-75 Summary of Changes Sections 3.6 and 3.7 updates references to Multiple Identical Mailpieces (for examples, see section 3.6.1, step 2). Section 3.6 provides guidelines for mailpiece skip subsampling procedures as in the last publication. Section 3.7 provides guidelines for container skip subsampling procedures. This section also refers to separating out Accountable/BRM mail containers which will be new for ODIS data collectors, but not for RPW data collectors. Also, instructions are given for sampling Detaching Mailing Cards that have been returned through automation. Section 3.8 combines information on attaching the electronic scale and on special fields and screens found in sections 3.8 and 3.9 in the previous publication. The current section provides information on preparing to enter mailpiece data and on navigating the header screens on the CODES Laptop. This section also discusses the change in recording Multiple Identical Pieces (MIPs). Section 3.8.2 revises the definition of a MIP as an easily isolatable group(s) of 200 or identical (all characteristics) mailpieces identified before applying the skip. Software message screens are new that instruct the data collector about the skip intervals before, during, and after a MIP entry. Section 3.9 includes guidelines for recording semi-postal stamps. In addition, requirements to scan mailpieces with IBIP indicia are rescinded, and Manifest Mailing Codes are updated. This section also includes updated guidelines for recording mailpieces with multiple meters as well as new guidelines for recording meter manufacturer and meter number. In addition, Section 3.9 includes new guidelines for recording the marking identification for Priority Mail. Section 3.10 provides instruction for recording information on Delivery Destination Unit (DDU) parcels. Section 3.11 distinguishes between signature capture and signature confirmation, as well as updates on retail and electronic label identification is included. Related Materials: Forwarded and Returned Mail Guidelines Table and Inspection Service mailpiece Photocopy Transmittal Form are added to the Related Materials as RM 3–2 and RM 3–22 respectively. The Mail Shape Dimension tables are updated. The table named No Endorsements/ Marking is included and is updated. Related Materials 3–2, Noncountable Mail, is now Excluded Mail, RM 3–4. RM 3–7 Drop Ship Endorsements for Standard Mail (B) Zone Rated Parcel Post, RM 3–15 X-Categories Options Menu, RM 4–5 Identifying Foreign Air Mail Classes and RM 4–16 Hazardous Material Labels Examples are deleted. The remaining Related Materials from Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 of the September 1999 publication of the F-75 handbook are combined into the October 2003 list of RMs. October 2003 Page v Data Collection User’s Guide for Revenue, Volume, and Performance Measurement System Chapter 4 Chapter 4, which was previously Chapter 5, is rewritten to include instructions for using the data transfer option which includes uploading test data and downloading test samples and software. Appendix A Appendix A is updated to reflect current organizational responsibilities. Appendix B Appendix B is updated to reflect current MIP procedures and to exclude noncountable mail. Appendix C PS Form 8126 is updated to the current version. Appendix D Cutoff times have been updated in all examples to reflect current field practice. Appendix E No changes were made since last publication. Appendix F Appendix F has been revised to delete references to using the scanner. Appendix G Operating Policies is revised to reflect operational changes due to the merger of ODIS and RPW. Section II. Instructions for maintaining reasons for rescheduling and canceling on the Web Base Unit are provided. Section II A. The list of situations that require rescheduling is expanded.