Randy Weiler, SPC’s Director of Postal Affairs and Logistics, is here to help you navigate the labyrinth of the USPS. What does it take to efficiently move your projects through the USPS system? What efficiencies can you gain from SPC’s lettershop expertise? Who determines postal increases?
Every month, Randy fields your burning questions about mail and postal affairs in a Q&A format. You can email him at askrandy@specialtyprintcomm.com or post a question via Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #AskRandyUSPS. We post the questions and his answers each month both here on the SPC blog and on social media. To see a full list of questions that Randy has answered, check the Ask Randy Index.
1) When will USPS customers be made aware of any 2020 USPS promotional discounts?
The promotions for 2019 were announced in early October 2018, so I would expect next year’s promotions would be announced in early October.
2) What are CASS Cycles?
Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) enables the USPS to check the accuracy of software that corrects and matches street addresses. In order for a mailing list to be eligible for USPS automation mailing postage rates, a mailing list must have been run through a USPS CASS certified software program within 180 days prior to mailing. If claiming carrier route postage rates, the list must have been CASS verified within 90 days prior to mailing. Occasionally the USPS modifies the requirements of CASS software certification thus initiating a new “Cycle.”
The current CASS Cycle is Cycle N. Cycle O was originally scheduled for an August 2020 release but has been pushed back to August 2021. It is expected that Cycle O will be much more stringent on the requirements for secondary address elements such as apartment numbers.
3) What USPS promotions have SPC customers taken most advantage of so far in 2019?
To date, most SPC customers participating in USPS mailing promotions have been taking advantage of the Tactile Sensory Promotion. That promotion ended in July. Many SPC customers are participating in Emerging & Advance Technology, Informed Delivery, and Mobile Shopping as well. The fall is really the time when many of our customers get involved with USPS mailing promotions, so I expect to see an uptick in participation in the next few months.
4) What is your favorite joke?
Want to hear a joke about construction? Oh wait, I’m still working on it.
Randy Weiler
Director Postal Affairs and Logistics
