Thursday, August 15, 2002

Part IV

Postal Service 39 CFR Part 111 Changes To the Domestic Manual To Implement Confirm Service; Final Rule

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 53454 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations

POSTAL SERVICE seq.), filed a Request for a recommended comments and recommendations for decision by the Postal Rate Commission improving and expanding Confirm, and 39 CFR Part 111 (PRC) on the proposed classification and for ensuring that the service meets the [Docket No. MC 2002–1] fees for Confirm, a new service using a business needs and the operational uniquely identifying mailer-applied requirements of the mailing industry at Changes to the Domestic Mail Manual called PLANET Code. Using large. Moreover, the Postal Service has To Implement Confirm Service these , along with the continued to solicit recommendations appropriate delivery POSTNET from the mailing industry for AGENCY: Postal Service. barcodes, enables a participating mailer enhancements to the infrastructure ACTION: Final rule. to identify where and when outgoing supporting this subscriber-based automation-compatible mail and service. The recommendations coming SUMMARY: This final rule sets forth the incoming automation-compatible reply from actual customer use and testing of Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) mail are scanned in various postal the whole Confirm system have greatly standards adopted by the Postal Service operations. Confirm combines barcode influenced, not only the operational to implement the classification and fees technology with the electronic characteristics incorporated into the for Confirm service as established by infrastructure of automated Postal service, as proposed in the unopposed the decision of the Governors of the Service processing equipment to record settlement agreement and as United States Postal Service on the and transmit data for successfully recommended by the Postal Rate recommended decision of the Postal scanned pieces prepared according to Commission, but also the standards Rate Commission approving stipulation Confirm specifications. incorporated into the rules published and agreement for Confirm, Docket No. On July 26, 2002, pursuant to 39 here. MC2002–1 (August 5, 2002). U.S.C. 3624, the Postal Rate Second, the Postal Rate Commission In their decision, the Governors Commission issued to the Governors of conducted public hearings to consider approved the Commission’s the Postal Service its Opinion and the Postal Service proposal for Confirm recommendations, adopting an Recommended Decision Approving that were open to any interested party. unopposed settlement agreement Stipulation and Agreement, Docket No. Several parties participated, including concluded by all but one party in MC2002–1. The Commission major associations of mailers, the largest Docket No. MC2002–1. The settlement recommended that the Postal Service union representing postal workers, substantially incorporated the proposal for Confirm be established as individuals representing themselves as classification and fees for Confirm, as a permanent special service. With mailers, and the Director of the proposed by the Postal Service in its relatively minor modifications to the Commission’s Office of the Consumer request for a recommended decision, proposed language for the Domestic Advocate representing the general filed on April 24, 2002. Mail Classification Schedule, the public. This participation led to the Confirm represents a new service Commission approved the Stipulation successful negotiation of an agreement offering subscribers access to data and and Agreement. substantially incorporating the proposal information concerning the processing On August 5, 2002, the Board of presented by the Postal Service. of their specially prepared and barcoded Governors approved the recommended Virtually all participants signed the automation-compatible letter-size and decision and established an settlement agreement. Only one flat-size mail. The service combines implementation date of Sunday, individual representing himself did not barcode technology with the electronic September 22, 2002, on which the sign, but that same individual did not infrastructure of automated Postal approved classification and fees for oppose the settlement. Throughout the Service processing equipment to record Confirm service will take effect. This Confirm proceedings, furthermore, and transmit data pertaining to mail final rule contains the DMM standards participants provided comments, prepared according to Confirm adopted by the Postal Service to formally through submissions for the specifications. implement the decision of the record, as well as informally through Through the use of a unique mailer- Governors. settlement discussions. These comments applied barcode, called PLANET The Postal Service has determined to reinforced the determinations leading to Code, along with the appropriate issue these standards as final rules, the Postal Service proposal, as delivery address POSTNET barcode, rather than first publishing them as incorporated into the settlement Confirm enables a mailer subscribing to proposed rules seeking comments. agreement. The Commission accepted the service to identify where and when Several considerations support this the settlement with only minor barcodes printed on mail are scanned in determination. modifications to the language describing various postal operations. Confirm can First, Confirm was developed through Confirm in the Domestic Mail be used to provide this information for the joint efforts of the Postal Service and Classification Schedule (DMCS). outgoing automation-compatible mail its customers over a substantial period Finally, there is a strong interest in and for incoming automation- of time. As described below in the expeditious implementation of the compatible reply mail. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this final service that is shared by mailers rule, over the past seven years, more currently receiving and using Confirm EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule is than 300 mailers, representing a wide data and information, by prospective effective at 12:01 a.m. on September 22, cross-section of the mailing industry, customers, and by the Postal Service. 2002. have participated at various times in The Board of Governors of the Postal FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neil testing and evaluating the features of the Service has determined to implement Berger at (703) 292–3645 or Paul Bakshi service. This experience has included Confirm on September 22, 2002. This at (703) 292–3671. an operational pilot test of Confirm date represents the earliest time that the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April since 1998, involving the collection of service can be made operationally 24, 2002, the United States Postal data pertaining to significant volumes of available to the public. It also provides Service, in conformance with sections actual mail submitted by participating a reasonable time for the Postal Service 3622 and 3623 of the Postal mailers. Throughout these activities, to process applications adding new Reorganization Act (39 U.S.C. 101 et mailers have provided invaluable subscribers to existing users. If the

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations 53455

Postal Service were to delay 2. Additional Identification Codes the Postal Service mailstream. The implementation in order to solicit and Subscribers to the Silver, Gold, and Postal Service decided to build such a receive additional comments, the Platinum subscription levels can license tracking system around PLANET Code effective date for Confirm could be additional identification codes for $500 barcode technology, which had been delayed considerably, and current users for 3-month intervals or until the developed and refined earlier by the and new subscribers would be denied expiration of the underlying Postal Service Engineering Department. the benefits of the valuable information subscription, whichever occurs first. This barcode technology was that the service can provide. By The additional identification codes considered both an effective and an implementing this new service without are valid for only 3 months or to the end expedient way to meet mailer and Postal undue delays, the Postal Service can of the subscription period, whichever Service requirements for these reasons: • The technology would require ensure that currently participating occurs first. At the renewal time of the minimal research and testing because it mailers are able to continue the service underlying subscription, the same was a fully developed and validated without interruption, and that new additional identification codes technology. subscribers will be expeditiously previously licensed may also be • The technology would require integrated into the system. renewed at the subscriber’s option. minimal effort and expense for mailers Pursuant to these considerations, the Subscribers may, at their option, also to implement within the current mailing Postal Service has concluded that the license up to four 3-month periods at substantial number of comments and environment. one time for the same additional • The technology would require recommendations already received identification codes if those 3-month pertaining to Confirm would make minimal effort and disruption for the periods are within the underlying Postal Service to modify its existing further solicitation of comments subscription period. unnecessary. Considering the broadly postal processing infrastructure, which based participation in the development 3. Additional Scans already supported the similar POSTNET of Confirm over several years, and the Subscribers to the Silver and Gold barcode used for delivery address Commission’s acceptance of the subscription levels, which both have barcoding. unopposed settlement agreement in specific limits to the numbers of 3. Stage Two: Pilot Program Docket No. MC2002–1, it is unlikely recorded and reported scans as part of Stage two came in 1998 when the that the Postal Service would receive the subscription, can also license Postal Service inaugurated a limited additional comments that would additional scans at any time before the pilot program for Confirm that materially affect the rules. Furthermore, expiration of the underlying permitted a small number of issuing proposed rules would present an subscription. The blocks of additional participating mailers to use the service impractical impediment to the timely scans are usable until the subscription without charge while it was under implementation of the service. Delay period ends, however long that period. development. The Postal Service would interfere with the public and Additional blocks of scans are available established a prototype system in mailer interests in being able to receive as follows: • Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to collect and use Confirm data as early as Silver subscription level, in blocks Confirm data from major processing possible. of 2 million scans at $500. facilities and then transmit data files to • Gold subscription level, in blocks of participating mailers via an automated A. Service Description 6 million scans for $750. FTP process. Later that same year, the 1. Subscription Levels 4. Subscription Upgrade Postal Service created a Web site that The Postal Service will offer this A Gold subscription level can also be allowed participating mailers to view service in a three-tiered subscription upgraded to a Platinum subscription and download small amounts of data. By 2000, however, the demand for format rather than a per-transaction rate level any time before the expiration of this Web site outgrew its capacity. In format. The three subscription levels for the Gold subscription with the payment response, the Postal Service moved the this format are designated as Silver, of the difference in the subscription fees system to its data site in Raleigh, North Gold, and Platinum, with the following of $5,500. Upgrading a subscription Carolina, and implemented the first fees, terms of service, number of from the Gold level to the Platinum major system upgrade. At the same time, identification codes, and number of level does not extend the term of the the Postal Service expanded customer scans: initial subscription. • The Silver subscription level, with service at its National Customer Support a $2,000 fee and a term of 3 consecutive B. Service Background and Center in Memphis, Tennessee. Development months, entitles the subscriber to one 4. Stage Three: Production System identification code and up to 15 million 1. Developmental Stages Launch scans during the term of the The concept and initial development Stage three came on October 1, 2001, subscription. of Confirm came about seven years ago when the Postal Service launched the • The Gold subscription level, with a and, over the course of those years, Confirm Production System with a $4,500 fee and a term of 12 consecutive progressed through three sequential redesign of the system itself and a months, entitles the subscriber to one stages: (1) Initial concept, (2) pilot transfer of its operations to the postal identification code and up to 50 million program, and (3) production system data site in Eagan, Minnesota. By using scans during the term of the launch. the superior technological capabilities at subscription. that site, the Postal Service was able to 2. Stage One: Initial Concept • The Platinum subscription level, make many new system improvements with a $10,000 fee and a term of 12 Stage one emerged in 1995 when the to Confirm including the following: consecutive months, entitles the concept of Confirm was envisioned as a • Near real-time access to Confirm subscriber to three identification codes way to provide mailers with near real- data on the Web site. and an unlimited number of scans time information about the movement of • Expanded PLANET Code during the term of the subscription. automation-compatible mailpieces in functionality.

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 53456 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations

• Verification of mail induction needs of a variety of mailers, including tall and short bars. The PLANET Code times. large-volume mailers that are direct barcode symbology for each digit is • Dedicated customer support. subscribers to the service as well as therefore the inverse of each Stage three was also extremely small-volume mailers that are not direct corresponding POSTNET Code digit. important because it demonstrated the subscribers but can benefit from presort For the POSTNET barcode, each of commitment of the Postal Service to houses and other third-party providers the ten digits from 0 to 9 contains a develop activity-based costs for the that do subscribe to the service. unique combination of two tall and program. Such a costing methodology three short bars. For the PLANET Code helps determine the level of ongoing D. Product Technology barcode, on the other hand, the same ten infrastructure maintenance and long- 1. Barcoding digits from 0 to 9 contain three tall and term customer support for Confirm. two short bars that form a reverse image To generate optimal Confirm C. Product Uses of each POSTNET digit. For example, information, two distinct barcodes are the POSTNET barcode representation 1. Strategic Alignment of Business needed. One is a POSTNET barcode that for the digit zero is, from left to right, Processes identifies the ZIP Code, ZIP+4 code, or two tall bars followed by three short code corresponding to bars. The PLANET Code barcode for the Confirm represents part of an overall the delivery address; the other, a integrated strategy of the Postal Service same digit is two short bars followed by PLANET Code barcode that contains three tall bars. to provide greater added value to postal specific data relating to the participating services and products for mailers and The structure for the PLANET Code subscriber and type of mailpiece. provides information that is unique to their customers. In keeping with this This resulting combination of strategy, information from Confirm can the participating subscriber and the POSTNET and PLANET Code barcodes mailpiece as follows: give participating mailers—whether can, in certain cases, be used to identify • actual subscribers or mailers contracting Digits 1 and 2. Starting from the and distinguish specific letter-size and left, the first digit of the PLANET Code with third-party vendors that are flat-size automation-compatible subscribers—new opportunities to represents Confirm service type—either mailpieces processed and scanned on manage and, in some cases, improve Destination Confirm or Origin Postal Service automation equipment. their mailing operations. Moreover, Confirm—and the second digit In some cases, however, a PLANET information from Confirm can help represents the class and shape of mail Code barcode alone can provide some participating mailers modernize (for example, ID 40 signifies Destination useful information to the subscriber. business practices, enhance decision- Confirm for First-Class Mail letters). Because Postal Service letter-sorting and • making, and improve related activities Digits 3 through 11 (or 3 through flat-sorting machines can read both such as inventory control, invoicing, 13). The current structure of the next POSTNET and PLANET barcodes in one and remittance processing. nine digits (or eleven digits for the With information obtained from pass, there is no adverse impact on mail expanded 14-digit PLANET Code) Confirm, mailers participating in the processing throughput. differs for Destination Confirm and service can align various internal 2. Confirm Data Origin Confirm. For Destination business functions with the appropriate Confirm, these digits include a five-digit resources based on the actual processing Confirm scan-data generated from a ID Code assigned by the Postal Service and expected delivery or return of mail. mailpiece at a given mail processing plus four additional digits (or six for the At the same time, information from operation will consist of a five-digit ZIP 14-digit PLANET Code) for the mailer’s Confirm allows participating mailers to Code representing the facility use. For Origin Confirm, mailers use all strengthen and enhance current long- processing the piece, a Postal Service nine of the remaining digits to identify term customer relationships as well as operation number, processing date and either the mailpiece or the reply to initiate and build new ones. time, and the numeric equivalents of the customer (the sender of the reply piece) The potential for participating mailers POSTNET barcode and the PLANET or a combination of both the specific and the Postal Service to manage Code barcode. mailpiece and the reply customer. The business practices is built on Captured and recorded data are specific POSTNET Code on the Origin straightforward information technology transmitted to a central Postal Service Confirm piece enables the Postal Service that can report to participating mailers computer server and provided to the to identify the Confirm subscriber. • when their outgoing mail has neared mailer electronically in near real-time, Digit 12 (or 14). For both the delivery to their customers or, in either through the Confirm Web site or Destination Confirm and Origin Confirm reverse, when incoming customer- directly to the mailer’s computer. service applications, the last digit (the mailed reply pieces have entered the Not every scan on automated twelfth digit or, if the longer 14-digit mailstream for return to the processing equipment, however, PLANET Code, the fourteenth digit) is participating Confirm mailers. necessarily equates into a Confirm data always a check-sum digit to help mail record. Other conditions must be processing equipment detect possible 2. Service Applications satisfied such as the validity or coding errors. readability of identification codes in the As a result of this possible two-way 4. Data Records flow of outgoing mail and incoming PLANET Code barcodes. The data records for each properly reply mail, Confirm has been developed 3. PLANET Code Structure with two distinct service applications: scanned mailpiece are compiled for • Destination Confirm for outgoing The structure of the PLANET Code is importing into common database mail such as invoices, solicitations, similar to the POSTNET delivery point software. Depending on the subscriber’s credit cards, and statements of account. code. Subscribers can, however, choose request, the Postal Service can • Origin Confirm for incoming reply whether to use a 12-digit or a 14-digit automatically transmit the file mail such as payments, orders, and version of the PLANET Code. In terms containing the data records to the responses to solicitations. of structure, the PLANET Code barcode subscriber via File Transfer Protocol Because of these two service currently consists of 12 or 14 digits, (FTP) at times designated by the applications, Confirm can meet the each represented by a combination of subscriber.

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations 53457

The Postal Service offers an receives an automatic electronic value to current postal products and alternative to automatic transmission by notification of where and when the services and to expand the posting the data records to the Postal subscriber’s mail was inducted into the combinations of options that can meet Service Confirm Web site. A subscriber Postal Service. the evolving business requirements of can then view and download the data mailers and their customers. F. Application Steps for Using Confirm records for up to 15 days. A mailer seeking to become a List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 111 E. Advance Shipping Notice subscriber of Confirm must complete Administrative Practice and Destination Confirm mail requires the and submit an online or hardcopy Procedure, Postal Service. electronic submission of an Advance application form. New subscribers Shipping Notice (ASN) in a specific file entering the program must first The Postal Service, which is exempt format prior to or at the time of the demonstrate the capability of generating from the notice and comment mailing. ASN data include specific compliant PLANET Code barcodes by requirements of the Administrative mailer-generated information about each producing and submitting sample Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 553(b), (c)) Destination Confirm mailing, such as mailpieces to the Postal Service. regarding proposed rulemaking by 39 drop location, drop date, and volume. Subscribers must also submit samples U.S.C. 410(a), adopts, for the reasons That data can be used to link Confirm of the Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) discussed above, the following scan data captured during mail Shipment ID barcode that would be amendments to the Domestic Mail processing with the ASN mailing data. scanned by the Postal Service at the Manual (DMM), which is incorporated This linkage can, in turn, serve as an time the corresponding mail is entered by reference in the Code of Federal objective means to track the movement into the mailstream. After approving the Regulations (CFR). See 39 CFR part 111. of specific mail at its entry point into mailpieces and barcodes and receiving the mailstream and at other subsequent the applicable subscription payment, PART 111—[AMENDED] points before delivery. the Postal Service establishes the In addition to providing an electronic 1. The authority citation for 39 CFR subscriber’s Confirm account so that the part 111 continues to read as follows: ASN file for each mailing, the mailer subscriber can begin receiving Confirm must print an associated ASN Shipment data files either from the special Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a); 39 U.S.C. 101, ID barcode on the documentation Confirm Web site or directly by FTP. 401, 403, 404, 414, 416, 3001–3011, 3201– accompanying the mailing. This barcode After processing the application, the 3219, 3403–3406, 3621, 3626, 5001. is configured as a Uniform Symbology Postal Service assigns the new 2. Amend Domestic Mail Manual Specification (USS) barcode, subscriber a unique identification code. (DMM) as set forth below: similar to the Postal Service Delivery To assist new subscribers in the Confirmation barcode. This ASN application process and to resolve Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) Shipment ID barcode ties the data technical issues, the Postal Service R Rates and Fees contained in the uploaded ASN file provides ongoing customer support. with possibly thousands of properly * * * * * G. Goals of Confirm prepared Confirm pieces in the R900 Services associated mailing. Confirm has two major goals. First, Postal Service personnel scan the information from the service can help * * * * * ASN Shipment ID barcode using mailers improve their business [Amend R900 by redesignating current Delivery Confirmation scanners at the processes and enhance customer 9.0 through 26.0 as 10.0 through 27.0, time of induction. This entry scan relationships. Second, the same respectively, and adding new 9.0 to read ‘‘starts the clock’’ for the Destination information can help the Postal Service as follows:] Confirm mailing and provides a base improve customer service and 9.0 CONFIRM (S941) point for tracking the processing operational efficiency. As such, this throughput used for the mail. At the new service will support the strategic Fee, in addition to postage and other same time, the participating subscriber goal of the Postal Service to add greater fees:

Subscription level Subscription fee and term Additional ID code fee and term Additional scans fee and number

Silver ...... $ 2,000, 3 months ...... $500 each, 3 months ...... $500, block of 2 million scans. Gold ...... 4,500, 12 months ...... 500 each, 3 months ...... 750, block of 6 million scans. Platinum ...... 10,000, 12 months ...... 500 each, 3 months ...... N/A

* * * * * electronically collected from the optical although not every properly prepared scanning of specially barcoded piece is guaranteed such data or S Special Postal Services mailpieces as they pass through certain complete data. * * * * * automated mail processing operations. 1.2 Available Service and Handling [Amend module S by adding new S940 Scanned data can include the postal and S941 to read as follows:] facility where such pieces are Confirm is available only to S940 Mailpiece Information processed, the postal operation used to authorized subscribers as described in process the pieces, the date and time 1.3. The service is associated with the S941 Confirm when the pieces are processed, and the service applications described in 1.6 1.0 BASIC INFORMATION numeric equivalent of two barcodes that and subscription levels described in 1.7. help to identify the specific pieces. Any Confirm may be used for one or more 1.1 Description piece intended to generate scanned data pieces in a mailing. Mail prepared for Confirm is a service that provides an must meet the appropriate physical Confirm is dispatched and handled in authorized subscriber with data characteristics and standards in S941, transit as ordinary mail unless

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 53458 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations

combined with a service available for a. Silver Subscription. The Silver 2.0 BARCODES the class of mail and rate claimed that subscription level has a term of 3 2.1 General Barcode Requirement requires different handling. consecutive months, includes one five- digit identification code assigned by the At the time of mailing, each piece in 1.3 Authorization USPS, and provides up to 15 million a mailing that is intended to generate Confirm requires USPS authorization scans. A mailer subscribing to this level Confirm information must bear a after applicable fees are paid and may also: PLANET Code barcode. The USPS technical requirements for certification (1) License additional identification does not apply subscriber PLANET are met. For certification, a mailer must codes for a term of 3 consecutive Code barcodes to mail after deposit by submit for evaluation and approval months or until the expiration of the the subscriber. The use of POSTNET mailpieces bearing both PLANET Code underlying subscription, whichever barcodes, which must meet the barcodes and POSTNET barcodes to the occurs first. applicable specifications in C840, is as National Customer Support Center (see follows: G043 for address). Certification also (2) License additional scans in blocks a. Origin Confirm pieces must bear includes, if applicable, evaluation and of 2 million scans at any time before the both a PLANET Code barcode and a approval of the electronic format and underlying subscription expires. POSTNET barcode at the time of uploading of the Advance Shipping Unused scans expire at the end of the mailing. For business reply mail, the Notice (ASN) file and the associated subscription term. POSTNET barcode must correspond to shipment identification barcode printed b. Gold Subscription. The Gold the subscriber’s business reply mail on required documentation subscription level has a term of 12 ZIP+4 codes assigned by the USPS accompanying mailings. Confirm may consecutive months, includes one five- under S922. For all other reply mail, the be used only after authorization is digit identification code assigned by the POSTNET barcode must correspond to received, and information generated USPS, and provides up to 50 million the appropriate 5-digit ZIP Code, ZIP+4 from the use of the service is provided scans. A mailer subscribing to this level code, or delivery point code for the only if the standards for participation may also: delivery address. are met. (1) License additional identification b. Destination Confirm pieces must 1.4 Availability codes for a term of 3 consecutive bear a PLANET Code barcode and, if months or until the expiration of the required by the rate claimed at the time Confirm is available to authorized underlying subscription, whichever of mailing, an appropriate POSTNET subscribers for tracking automation- occurs first. barcode that corresponds to the delivery compatible letter-size or flat-size mail in (2) License additional scans in blocks address. If a POSTNET barcode is not applicable categories of the following of 6 million scans at any time before the required by the rate claimed, the mailer classes of mail: underlying subscription expires. has the option to apply the POSTNET a. First-Class Mail (including Priority Unused scans expire at the end of the barcode to such pieces for optimal Mail). Confirm information if the barcode b. Periodicals. subscription term. c. Standard Mail. (3) Raise the subscription level to a correctly corresponds to the delivery d. Package Services. Platinum subscription level at any time address. before the expiration of the Gold 1.5 Additional Services 2.2 POSTNET Barcode subscription by paying the difference of Confirm does not preclude or require the respective subscription fees. This The type of POSTNET barcode (e.g., the use of any special service available change in service level does not extend ZIP+4 barcode or delivery point for the class of mail and rate claimed. the term of the underlying initial barcode) and the placement of the subscription. barcode on a Confirm piece must meet 1.6 Service Applications the standards for the rate claimed. If two c. Platinum Subscription. The The following two service POSTNET barcodes are applied to the Platinum subscription level has a term applications are available: same piece, they must meet these a. Origin Confirm for incoming mail. of 12 consecutive months, includes standards: This use notifies the subscribing mailer three five-digit identification numbers a. Only one POSTNET barcode may of various movements of individual assigned by the USPS, and provides an be used in the address block as provided reply pieces, such as courtesy reply or unlimited number of scans. A mailer in 2.6. business reply mail being returned by subscribing to this level may also b. The second POSTNET barcode customers, before delivery to the license additional identification codes must be placed outside the address Confirm subscriber. for a term of 3 consecutive months or block in a position meeting the b. Destination Confirm for outgoing until the expiration of the underlying applicable standards in C840 for letter- mail. This use notifies the subscribing subscription, whichever occurs first. size mail or flat-size mail. mailer of various movements of 1.8 Fees and Postage 2.3 PLANET Code Barcode Use individual pieces, such as letter-size or  flat-size pieces in a specific mailing, The applicable Confirm subscription Only one PLANET Code barcode may from the entry of the mailing to final fees as defined in 1.7 and shown in appear on a Confirm piece. For letter- automated processing steps of the pieces R900 must be paid in advance. These size mail, the PLANET Code barcode before delivery to the destination subscription fees are separate from the may be placed in any position permitted address. postage and any other applicable fees in C840 for a POSTNET barcode except required for the piece being scanned the lower right corner barcode clear 1.7 Subscription Levels under this service. zone. For flat-size mail, the PLANET Code barcode may appear in any Confirm is available in three distinct 1.9 Deposit subscription levels as defined below, position of the piece permitted for a and a mailer may subscribe to one or The class of mail and rate claimed POSTNET barcode in C840. Any more of these levels at the same time, at and the postage payment method used PLANET Code barcode printed on mail different times, or at overlapping times: determine the point of deposit or entry. for Confirm information must:

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4 Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 158 / Thursday, August 15, 2002 / Rules and Regulations 53459

a. Be generated by the method used to (4) Check digit: one digit; defined as of the mailing. This electronic notice receive USPS barcode certification the number which, when added to the enables the USPS to match mailing data during the application process in 1.3. sum of the other digits in the barcode, provided by the mailer with actual b. Meet the barcode specifications in results in a total that is a multiple of 10. scans taken on Confirm pieces in the 2.4. mailing and to generate various reports 2.6 Address Block Barcoding c. Meet the format specifications in for analysis from the matched data. A 2.5. If both a PLANET Code barcode and test file transmission must be uploaded a POSTNET barcode are used as part of 2.4 PLANET Code Barcode and approved before Confirm mailings the delivery address block, the Specifications may be made as provided in 1.3. following standards must be met: The PLANET Code barcode a. One barcode must placed in the 3.2 Data Format symbology, which is the inverse of the upper part of the address block in one The ASN data file is a single data file POSTNET barcode symbology, uses a of two positions: in comma delimited flat file format. unique combination of three tall and (1) Between the top address line (the Each record is made up of a single row two short bars to define each digit from first line of the delivery address block of data consisting of 16 data elements 0 to 9. PLANET Code barcodes must usually containing the recipient’s name (fields) as defined in Publication 197. meet the same dimensional or attention line) and any keyline, ASN data include specific mailer- specifications (including pitch, tilt, and optional endorsement line, or carrier generated information about each baseline positioning) and print route information line directly above the Destination Confirm mailing, such as specifications (including reflectance) as top address line. drop location, drop date, mailer required in C840 for POSTNET barcodes (2) Directly above any keyline, identification, volume, presort level, and in USPS Publication 197, Customer optional endorsement line, or carrier and number of pieces bearing PLANET Guide to Confirm Service. Publication route information line that is directly Code barcodes. 197 is available from the National above the top address line. Customer Support Center (see G043 for b. The other barcode must always be 3.3 Shipment ID Barcode address). placed directly below the bottom In addition to an electronic ASN 2.5 PLANET Code Barcode Format address line (the city, state, and ZIP Code line). transmission for each mailing, an ASN PLANET Code barcodes must meet c. Both barcodes must maintain a Shipment ID barcode (used as a the following format standards required minimum clearance of 1/25 inch shipment identification) must be in USPS Publication 197 for service directly above and below the barcodes. printed on the documentation type: d. The entire address block must be accompanying the mailing. This a. Origin Confirm mailpieces placed on the piece under the documentation is either Form 8125 for (incoming reply mail) require these data applicable standards in C840. The mail prepared as a plant-verified drop fields in the following order from left to barcodes and address block, along with shipment or Form 3152–A for mail right: any keyline, optional endorsement line, entered and verified at a business mail (1) Mailpiece type identification: two or carrier route information line, must entry unit. The USPS scans the ASN digits; identifies type of reply mail maintain the other applicable minimum Shipment ID barcode to ‘‘start the (courtesy reply mail, business reply clearances under C840, including clock’’ for the Destination Confirm mail (BRM), or Qualified BRM) and clearances for inserts in window mailing and to provide the base point physical characteristic of piece (letter, . for recording the actual processing time card, or flat); defined by USPS. used for the mail. ASN Shipment ID (2) Customer identification: nine or 2.7 Reply Mail Barcodes barcode symbology is USS Code 128 eleven digits; identifies mailpiece; Reply pieces prepared for the Origin Subset B and must meet the technical defined by subscriber. Confirm service application under 1.6 specifications in Publication 197. (3) Check digit: one digit; defined as must meet any applicable format and 4.0 DELIVERY the number which, when added to the barcode standards as follows: sum of the other digits in the barcode, a. For business reply mail (BRM), Any mailpiece prepared for Confirm results in a total that is a multiple of 10. S922. is delivered as ordinary mail unless b. Destination Confirm mailpieces b. For Qualified BRM, S922. combined with any available service (outgoing mail) require these data fields c. For courtesy reply mail (CRM), subject to D042. in the following order from left to right: C100. (1) Mailpiece type identification: two * * * * * digits; identifies class of mail and 3.0 ADVANCE SHIPPING NOTICE An appropriate amendment to 39 CFR physical characteristic of piece (letter, 3.1 Purpose 111.3 will be published to reflect these card, or flat); defined by USPS. changes. (2) Identification code: five digits; Every mailing for which Destination identifies mailer; assigned by USPS. Confirm information is desired requires Neva Watson, (3) Mailing: four (or six) digits; the electronic submission of an Attorney, Legislative. identifies specific mailing; defined by Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN), in a [FR Doc. 02–20730 Filed 8–14–02; 8:45 am] subscriber. specific file format, before or at the time BILLING CODE 7710–12–P

VerDate Aug<2,>2002 16:44 Aug 14, 2002 Jkt 197001 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4700 E:\FR\FM\15AUR4.SGM pfrm17 PsN: 15AUR4