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Flats Sequencing SystemFSS

Flats Sequencing SystemFSS

Rosa FultonExecutive Director, FSS

Rosa FultonExecutive Director, FSS

2

Agenda Agenda

Dulles Pre-production Status

Mailing Industry Concerns / Status

FSS Implementation Communication

Conclusion & Questions

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FSS Deployment TimelineFSS Deployment Timeline

Prototype – Indianapolis IN Apr 2006

BOG Approval 100 Production FSS Machines Dec 2006

Pre-production Install – Dulles P & DC Sept 2007

Production First Article Jul 2008

Phase 1 Deployment Begin Oct 2008

Phase 1 Deployment End Oct 2010

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Dulles Pre-production StatusDulles Pre-production Status

Install Complete Oct 2007

● Integration/ Machine Testing Nov 2007

● Employee Training Nov 2007

● Live Mail Testing Dec 2007

● Official Acceptance Testing Jan 2008

● Full Machine Ramp Up Feb 2008

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Dulles FSS Installed & Running Test DecksDulles FSS Installed & Running Test Decks

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Dulles FSS Installed & Running Test DecksDulles FSS Installed & Running Test Decks

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Dulles Stand Alone Mail Prep (SAMP)Dulles Stand Alone Mail Prep (SAMP)

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Dolly Induction AFSM 100Dolly Induction AFSM 100

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Dulles Pre-production OperationDulles Pre-production Operation

Operational for 1 Year

Pre-prod FSS Will Process Mail for Zones:

1. Falls Church 22043 and 22046

2. Fairfax 22030

3. Burke 22015

4. Culpepper 22701

5. McLean 22101

6. Alexandria Belleview 22307

7. Alexandria Engleside 22309

8. Sterling 20164

9. Reston 20190 and 20194

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Mailing Industry ConcernsMailing Industry Concerns

Address Location / Address Construction

• Consistent Address Location

• 11-Digit POSTNET or IMB Barcode

• Font Size / Lines and Character Spacing

Mail Entry

● Entry Points

● Critical Entry Times

Mail Prep Changes

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Standard Address Construction / PlacementStandard Address Construction / Placement

Federal Register Proposed Rule

● Published 10/10/07

● Comment Period Through 12/10/07

Address Construction / Barcode

• 11-Digit POSTNET or IMB Barcode

• Minimum 8-point Type (approximately 1/10-inch high)

• Address Lines Cannot Touch or Overlap

• No More Than 3 Blank Spaces

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Standard Address PlacementStandard Address Placement

Orient Address Location for Carrier Street Handling

• This could represent the front cover or back cover of the mail piece.

• Customer address and optional delivery endorsement can appear anywhere in the address zone (top third above the dotted line) when the bound edge is aligned to the right.

• Customer number, source code and messaging can appear anywhere on catalogs.

Joh

n D

oe

123 M

ain

St

An

ywh

ere, US

A 12

345

Joh

n D

oe

123

Ma

in S

tA

nyw

her

e, U

SA

12

345

Can face left or right

John Doe123 Main StAnywhere, USA 12345

Can be left or right justified, or centered.

Binding or Final Fold

John Doe123 Main StAnywhere, USA 12345

Address orientationrestrictions will be determined by the

USPS (e.g., cannot readupside down when at the top) based on

the needs of delivery.

Implement MTAC Workgroup 101 Results

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Standard Address PlacementStandard Address Placement

Orient Address Location for Carrier Street Handling

• Minimum 1/8 inch from any edge

• Parallel or perpendicular to top edge

• Cannot be upside down in relation to top edge

Joh

n D

oe

123 M

ain

St

An

ywh

ere, US

A 12

345

Joh

n D

oe

123

Ma

in S

tA

nyw

her

e, U

SA

12

345

Can face left or right

John Doe123 Main StAnywhere, USA 12345

Can be left or right justified, or centered.

Basic Standards

Specific Standards

Bound or Folded Pieces

• If parallel to top edge, entire address block within 3 inches of top

• If perpendicular to top edge, one edge within 2.5 inches of top

Enveloped or Polywrapped

• No “bound edge” applies- top is either shorter edge

• Inserts must be secured

Both

• Address block must be at least 1 inch closer to the top than to the bottom

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Mail Entry- What’s On Your Mind?Mail Entry- What’s On Your Mind?

Number of Entry Points?

Critical Entry Times (CET’s)?

● Service Measurement Proposal

National Standardized CET’s

Standard Mail and Package Services

Local CET’s

First-Class Mail and Periodicals

Local Operating Conditions

What About CET’s for FSS?

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Preparation- What’s On Your Mind?Preparation- What’s On Your Mind?

What Prep Changes Will be Needed?

• Current State → Future State

How and When to Transition to FSS Environment?

What is Being Considered Now?

• MTAC Workgroup 115

• USPS Looking at End-to-End Flats Flow and Data Exchange

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What’s Critical?What’s Critical?

Communicating the Changes

● Recognize Communication is Critical

● Believe We Have Many Vehicles in Place

● You Are in a Better Position to Evaluate Results

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New FSS Workgroup ProposalNew FSS Workgroup Proposal

“FSS Implementation Communication Workgroup”

The FSS Program Will Impact How Flat Mail is Constructed, Prepared, Presented and Scheduled For Entry

Potential Price Changes Will Influence Business Decisions and Operational Processes for Customers and Flat Mail Stakeholders

The Phase 1 Deployment Strategy Involves Incremental Adding of FSS Zones Over a Two-year Time Period Resulting in the Need For Timely and Consistent Communication to the Respective Stakeholders in the Mailing Industry

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FSS Communication WorkgroupFSS Communication Workgroup

Desired results

Identify Key Stakeholders Impacted by the Implementation of FSS

Identify and Define the Key Messaging Premise Required

Evaluate the Timing and Frequency of Messaging

Identify Existing Communication Vehicles and Their Value

Evaluate Additional Communication Vehicle Opportunities

Identify and Analyze Current Relevant Feedback Mechanisms

Map Process For Executing a Successful Communication Plan

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Today’s FSS Changes & ResourcesToday’s FSS Changes & Resources

Federal Register Proposed Regulations Posted on RIBBS (New Address and Barcode Requirements for Automation, Presorted and Carrier Route Flat-Sized Mail)

● Allows for 60 Day Comment Period

● Objective is to Provide One Year Preparation Period

Flats Symposium Q&A’s Posted on MTAC Website Shown Below

FSS Workshop in a Box Scripted Presentation Available for Download at: http://ribbs.usps.gov/mtac.html

New FSS Video

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Summary Summary

FSS Pre-production Install Underway

Federal Register Proposal Published

Continue Collaborative Effort and

Increase Communication

Create Lowest-Combined-Cost System