PUBLISHED SINCE MARCH 4, 1880 PB 21990, January 28, 1999 CONTENTS The Postal Bulletin is also available on the World Philately Wide Web at http://www.usps.com for customers Stamp Announcement 99-4: Celebrate The Centuryt and at http://blue.usps.gov for employees. 1940s Commemorative Stamps. 35 Notice: Stamped Envelopes Withdrawn From Regular Sale and From Sale at Philatelic Centers. 36 Administrative Services Correction 99-2: Hospice Commemorative Stamp. 36 Rural Carrier Handbook Revision: Handling of Delivery Pictorial Cancellations Announcement 99-1. 37 Confirmation Mail and Mobile Data Collection Device. 2 Special Cancellation Die Hubs. 40 Interest Rate Update: Interest Rate on Contract Claims. 3 Address Change Reminder: Information Service Center Post Offices Address Change Reminder. 3 Y2K Update: Forwarding of Year 2000 Inquiries. 41 Customer Relations Rotary Lock Inventory: Critical Shortage of Rotary Locks. 41 Mail Alert. 4 Postal Service and GSA Agreement: Delivery of GSA Domestic Mail Mailable and Nonmailable Items. 42 DMM Revision: Labeling List Changes. 5 Post Office Changes Number 99-1. 42 DMM Reminder: Minimum Weight — Bound Printed Presidents’ Day Poster. 43 Matter and Parcel Post. 6 Reminder to Delivery Employees: Standard Mail Rate Postal Employees Markings. 7 Thrift Savings Plan Fact Sheet. 45 Publication 49 Update: New Edition of Publication 49, Retail Preparing Standard Mail (A) . 7 PS Form 3849 Update: Ordering Instructions for Revised APO/FPO Changes. 8 PS Form 3849, Delivery Notice/Reminder/Receipt . 47 Overseas Military Mail. 9 Your Retail Calendar: January–March 1999 Key Dates. 49 Finance Postal Bulletin Indexes Reminder: International Reply Coupons. 20 Quarterly Index. PB 21984 (11-5-98) Vendor Report Notice: Distribution of Vendor/SOA Out of 1998 Annual Index. PB 21989 (1-14-99) Balance Report Discontinued. 20 AIC 526 Update: Clarification on AIC 526 for Customer Ordering Information: Following is the list of postal stock Meter Postage Refund. 20 numbers (PSNs) to use when ordering copies of the Postal Revenue Unit Update: Revenue Unit for Fiscal Bulletin from the MDCs: Year 1998. 20 PB 21990: 7690-04-000-3969 PB 21979: 7690-04-000-3958 POM Revision: Domestic Indemnity Claims. 21 PB 21989: 7690-04-000-3968 PB 21978: 7690-04-000-3957 Bird Stamp Reminder: Migratory Bird Stamp Destruction. 23 PB 21988: 7690-04-000-3967 PB 21977: 7690-04-000-3956 PB 21987: 7690-04-000-3966 PB 21976: 7690-04-000-2608 Fraud Alert PB 21986: 7690-04-000-3965 PB 21975: 7690-04-000-2607 Foreign Order No. 430. 24 PB 21985: 7690-04-000-3964 PB 21974: 7690-04-000-2606 Withholding of Mail Orders. 24 PB 21984: 7690-04-000-3963 PB 21973: 7690-04-000-2605 Domestic Orders. 24 PB 21983: 7690-04-000-3962 PB 21972: 7690-04-000-2604 Missing, Lost, or Stolen U.S. Money Order Forms. 25 PB 21982: 7690-04-000-3961 PB 21971: 7690-04-000-2603 Missing, Lost, or Stolen Canadian Money Order Forms. 29 PB 21981: 7690-04-000-3960 PB 21970: 7690-04-000-2602 Counterfeited Canadian Money Order Forms. 31 PB 21980: 7690-04-000-3959 PB 21969: 7690-04-000-2601 800 Number Available to Verify Canadian Money Orders. 31 Invalid Express Mail Corporate Account Numbers. 32 The Postal Bulletin is published biweekly; information is effective for 1 year unless it changes the text of permanent directives or unless otherwise specified. R PAGE 2 POSTAL BULLETIN 21990 (1-28-99) Administrative Services RURAL CARRIER HANDBOOK REVISION Handling of Delivery Confirmation Mail and Mobile Data Collection Device Effective immediately, Handbook PO-603, Rural Carriers 281.22 Non-Delivery Events Duties and Responsibilities, is modified to incorporate basic If the item cannot be delivered for any reason, scan the mail- procedures for handling delivery confirmation mail and use piece barcode and enter the appropriate information into the of the mobile data collection device (MDCD). Copies of mobile data collection device. If the mobile data collection the following revisions should be incorporated to carrier device is not available, does not scan, or does not accept route books until superseded by a complete reissuance of keyed-in information at a delivery point for a non-deliverable Handbook PO-603. mailpiece, write the reason for non-delivery on the mailpiece along with the date, time attempted, and carrier initials. Handbook PO-603 Leave completed PS Form 3849 for customer notification. ***** 281.3 Return to Office 130 Basic Carrier Duties Return the mobile data collection device assigned to your ***** route as established by office policy. If data could not be en- tered at the delivery point, or there has been a malfunction 132 Delivery and Collection of the mobile data collection device while on the route, follow ***** established office procedures for ensuring data is entered [Revise 132.5 to include delivery confirmation mail as into a working mobile data collection device. Present the follows:] malfunctioning device to the supervisor and describe activity involved when equipment malfunctioned. Return mobile 132.5 All Classes of Mail data collection device to the appropriate cradle. Accept, collect, and deliver on the route all classes of mail, 282 Reserved for Future Use including registered, insured, certified, special delivery, COD, Express Mail, and delivery confirmation mail. When ***** required and authorized, transport mail between post offices 340 Special Service and Express Mail located on the official line of travel. 341 Special Service Mail ***** [Insert new subchapters 280 and 281:] 341.1 General [Revise 341.11 as follows:] 280 Delivery Confirmation Data Collection Procedures 341.11 Acceptance. Registered, COD, certified, num- bered insured, return receipt for merchandise, special deliv- 281 No Signature Required ery, delivery confirmation, and Express Mail may be 281.1 Preparation In Office accepted for mailing provided the customer prepays the required postage and fees. Obtain and prepare the mobile data collection device as- signed to your route as established by office policy. ***** [Insert new 341.9 as follows:] 281.2 At the Delivery Point 341.9 Delivery Confirmation 281.21 Delivery Events If the item is delivered, scan the mailpiece barcode and enter 341.91 Acceptance other appropriate information into the mobile data collection 341.911 Customers may obtain delivery confirmation by device. If the mobile data collection device is not available, paying the required postage and fees. does not scan, or does not accept keyed-in information at a delivery point for a mailpiece being delivered, record the de- 341.912 If a customer requests a postmarked receipt, deliv- livery confirmation barcode number (this can also be done by er it on the next trip. peeling the barcode off the item), date, ZIP Code, and time delivered onto PS Form 3849. POSTAL BULLETIN 21990 (1-28-99) PAGE 3 341.92 Delivery the mobile data collection device, follow procedures for non- deliverable pieces as prescribed in section 281.22. Endorse 341.921 When delivery can be made, delivery confirmation Label 11-B with the exact time, date of attempted delivery, items should be delivered in accordance with procedures and your signature in the Attempted Delivery block. Return outlined in sections 281.21 and 330. the article to the post office. 341.922 When delivery cannot be made, complete and ***** leave PS Form 3849 for customer notification. See sections 281.22 and 330. [Insert new 422.8 as follows:] 342 Express Mail 422.8 Delivery Confirmation Mail Give your postmaster, supervisor, or designee, all articles ***** accepted and any accompanying forms and fees. 342.2 Delivery ***** ***** [Add Form 152 to the Forms Glossary table as follows:] [Revise 342.22 as follows:] Forms Glossary 342.22 Other Information Form ID Title References Enter on the label the exact time, date of delivery, and your * * * * * signature. Utilizing the mobile data collection device, scan 152 Delivery Confirmation Label the Express Mail barcode as prescribed in section 281. * * * * * ***** ***** [Revise 342.3 as follows:] 342.3 Incomplete Delivery —Delivery Policies and Programs, Complete and leave a Form 3849, Delivery Notice/ Operations Support, 1-28-99 Reminder/Receipt, when delivery cannot be made. Utilizing INTEREST RATE UPDATE Interest Rate on Contract Claims The Postal Service periodically publishes in the Postal The interest rate effective for the 6-month period begin- Bulletin the interest rate payable on a claim decided in a ning January 1, 1999, and ending June 30, 1999, is contractor’s favor under the Contract Disputes Act of 1978. 5 percent. This rate also applies for late payments to contractors under the Prompt Payment Act, as amended. —Purchasing Policies and Programs, 1-28-99 ADDRESS CHANGE REMINDER Information Service Center Address Change Reminder The Minneapolis Information Service Center moved on August 10, 1998, as announced in Postal Bulletin 21976 (7-16-98). All U.S. Postal Service mail previously addressed to Fort Snelling, MN, must now be sent to the Eagan address below. This includes all departments, including HRIS-SS and Postal Inspection Service, that were previously addressed to Fort Snelling, MN. Please make the necessary corrections. Old New MINNEAPOLIS INFORMATION SERVICE CENTER INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE 1 FEDERAL DR CENTERS (IS/ASC) FORT SNELLING MN 55111- 2825 LONE OAK PKWY EAGAN MN 55121- If you need a list of ZIP+4 Codes by department for the IS/ASC or have questions, please send a cc:mail request to Andersen, Gloria J at CCMAIL/MNMNOO9L. —Information Systems and Accounting Service Centers, 1-28-99 PAGE 4 POSTAL BULLETIN 21990 (1-28-99) Customer Relations Mail Alert The mailings below will be deposited in the near future. 1 million pieces or more, should contact Customer Rela- Offices should honor the requested home delivery dates. tions Program Management at 202-268-5885 at least 1 Mailers wishing to participate in these alerts, for mailings of month preceding the requested delivery dates.