President Donald Trump’s proposed budget would let the U.S. Postal Service cut back on delivery days, a move that helps the unprofitable agency save money while putting it at odds with longstanding congressional demands.

Source: Trump’s Fix for Post Office’s Deep Losses: Cut Back Saturday Delivery | Fox Business

Updates to Mail Direction File

CORRECTION:  Redirection for 604-605 SCF S Suburban IL 604 Flats

The Mail Direction File published on May 1, 2017 contained redirections for 604-605 SCF S Suburban IL 604 Flats from the default site of South Suburban, IL P&DC to Fox Valley, IL P&DC.  The timeframe listed was 6/1/2017-6/30/2017.  This change was published in error.  All attempts should be made to drop SCF S Suburban IL 604 Flats at the Chicago NDC in Forest Park, IL.

Mailers will not be penalized for dropping this mail at the Fox Valley P&DC.  Network Operations is working closely with Mail Entry and Payment Technology to ensure that mailers will not be negatively impacted for dropping in either location.  We will follow the established criteria for mandatory dates and expiration dates based on when the data was published.

The Mail Direction File that will be published on June 1, 2017 for the July 1, 2017 effective date will not contain the incorrect redirection.  Instead, the 604-605 SCF S Suburban 604 Flats will continue to be redirected to the Chicago NDC from 6/1/2017-6/30/2017.

Mail Types Impacted:

Package Services – BPM/Library/Media/Flats-N

Package Services – BPM/Library/Media/Flats-Y

Package Services/Flats-N

Package Services/Flats-Y

USPS Marketing Mail/Flats-N

USPS Marketing Mail/Flats-Y

Periodicals (News)/Flats-N

Periodicals (News)/Flats-Y

Periodicals/Flats-N

Periodicals/Flats-Y

Video on USPS Informed Delivery for Mail Owners, Mail Service Providers, and Ad Agencies

Source: Informed Delivery Interactive Experience | USPS

For those nonprofit mailers working on next year’s budgets, the outlook for postage rates is unclear at best.

Here are three main factors you need to take into account.

Source: 2018 postage picture murky – Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers : Alliance of Nonprofit Mailers

Under current law, there are supposed to be nine individuals who serve on the board of governors, overseeing the USPS and serving seven-year terms.

A House bill would cut the number of governors to five, but as Brennan noted, there has not been any board nominee approved by the Senate for seven years.

Source: USPS wants board of governors back in business | Linns.com

SEVEN YEARS

I will be participating in three NPF Educational sessions as a presenter or co-presenter.  As you fill out your schedules for NPF, please keep these sessions in mind:

Sunday, May 21^st
UAA Mail ‐ Best Practices and Solutions
PERIOD 5       2:45 PM ‐ 3:45 PM
Room 336
Using recently updated Best Practices documents from MTAC Work Group 177, attendees will learn how the US Postal Service processes undeliverable-as-addressed mail (UAA), and learn how those in the industry maintain efficiency and manage UAA mail. A panel of industry representatives will be available to talk about their solutions and best practices.

Monday, May 22^nd
Postal Explorer ‐ Navigating Requirements, Publications and Calculators
PERIOD 10     4:00 PM ‐ 5:00 PM
Room 337
This interactive workshop highlights the necessary tools and tips for navigating today’s mailing requirements environment. Where are the standards found? What can the price calculator do for your business? Where can you go for answers when you don’t know where to start? For over 20 years, Postal Explorer has been about providing the information that’s really important – for everyone from the least experienced mailer to the large mail service provider. One hour with us and you’ll be the expert at your workplace! Topics covered include: Postal Explorer, Domestic Mail Manual, International Mail Manual, Notice 123, Price List, Pub 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail, as well as Domestic and International Price Calculators.

Tuesday, May 23rd
Informed Visibility:  Making Powerful Connections in Real Time (VP led panel)
PERIOD 13      2:45 PM ‐ 3:45 PM
Junior Ballroom
Informed Visibility (IV) is providing the mailing industry with greater insight into mail tracking – helping to connect you with your customers. Attend this workshop to hear mailing industry leaders share their thoughts and experiences on how to leverage real-time information from IV. Learn how near real-time mail tracking data, enhanced visibility, and flexible data provisioning and delegation can increase the value of your mail and transform your business. Find out how logical delivery events provide insight into when your mail is delivered without the need for a physical scan.  Discover which exciting new features are upcoming and how you can benefit from them to get the most out of Informed Visibility.
w/ USPS VP Isaac Cronkhite, USPS Director of Corporate Reporting Steve Dearing, and industry panel