GSA
Mail Management USPS Mail Services

The National Customer Support Center (NCSC) in Memphis, TN is on the cutting edge of address technology management by leading mailers into compatibility with USPS automation goals. The NCSC develops Address Information System (AIS) products, services, and publications to assist in making mail automation-compatible.

When a mailpiece is sent with an incomplete or inaccurate address, it requires additional handling, including manual processing. This can delay or even make delivery impossible. The most neglected part of a mailing is the quality of its address information. An address containing just one inaccurate element can create a negative response before the message of the mailing is read. The USPS recognizes the issues involved and has provided some support. The following list of six services server as an introduction to some of the programs. For more information, call the Customer Support Department at 1-800-238-3150

1. Address Change Service (ACS)

The ACS provides cost-efficient, electronic address correction information for undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) mailpieces. Mailers use this information for automated updates to their address databases, greatly reducing the time and money required for labor-intensive, manual data entry. Since mailers' databases are updated in a timely manner, fewer UAA mailpieces enter the mail stream, providing significant cost savings both to mailers and the Postal Service. Electronic ACS notifications also cost less than corresponding manual hardcopy notifications, thereby offering bottom-line savings as well. For more detailed information log on to: http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/products/acs.htm

2. Address Element Correction (AEC)

AEC focuses on inaccurate addresses that failed to match to a postal ZIP+4 Code using commercially available, CASS-certified, address-matching software. AEC uses specialized, USPS developed, address-element programs to perform a series of evaluations and comparisons. Resolved, unambiguous addresses are supplied with missing or corrected address elements and a ZIP+4 Code, resulting in automation-compatible records. If AEC cannot determine a match, the address is flagged as potentially undeliverable, better enabling the mailer to decide whether to use it.

The recommended address format is described in Publication 28, "Postal Addressing Standards," published by the US Postal Service. For more detailed information log on to: http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/products/aec.htm

3. Delivery Sequence File (DSF)

The Delivery Sequence File is a computerized file that will contain all addresses serviced by the US Postal Service. Each address is a separate record on the file that conforms to all USPS addressing standards. Each record contains ZIP+4, Carrier Route, Delivery Sequence, Delivery Type and Seasonal Delivery Information. The DF Licenses offer this service to the mailing industry by processing a mailers list against the DSF file using US Postal Service approved matching software. The results of a match or no-match situation are conveyed via a series of footnote codes. No DSF address information is provided without reference to an existing address on a mailer's list. The DSF product contains NO change of address information and is controlled by the approved address matching logic. For more detailed information go to http:/www.usps.gov and search for Delivery Sequence File.

4. Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS)

LACS corrects address lists electronically for areas that have undergone permanent address conversions. The LACS database consists of address conversions that the USPS has obtained and verified, primarily as a result of Emergency 9-1-1 system implementation. These permanent address conversions typically involve renumbering and renaming rural, highway route, and box numbers as city-style addresses. Input address information provided is standardized according to USPS requirements and then matched against the LACS file. If a match is made, the Postal Service provides a permanent address conversion. For more detailed information log on to: http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/products/lacs.htm

5. National Change of Address (NCOA)

NCOA corrects address lists electronically by identifying, via strict USPS approved name and addressing logic, individuals and businesses who have moved within the last three years. The NCOA database contains about 110,000,000 address changes and is updated biweekly. Input address list information is standardized using CASS-certified, ZIP+4 software and then matched against the NCOA file. If a match is made to the NCOA database, the USPS provides the new address information. For more detailed information log on to: http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/products/ncoa.htm

6. Rapid Information Bulletin Board System (RIBBS)

RIBBS is open to members of the mailing community who have questions or need information concerning the USPS. Questions and comments can be left in areas of special interest called conferences. Here, users can access files to obtain information on USPS programs, policies, rulings, press releases, and other postal information. For more detailed information log on to: http://www.ribbs.usps.gov/

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Last Modified 6/4/2004