1 Stephanie Miracle, Sr Product Manager, DST Output Lisa West, Manager Address Quality Programs, USPS ® Diving Deep into NCOA Link® and ACS™ National Postal

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Stephanie Miracle, Sr Product Manager, DST Output

Lisa West, Manager Address Quality Programs, USPS®

Diving Deep into NCOALink® and

ACS™

National Postal ForumApril 1 – 4, 2012

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NCOALink® Processing Modes

Standard: provides updates for:• Businesses at the location• Everyone at that location with the same

surname for family COAs • Individuals at the location with an equivalent

first and last name

Individual: provides updates only when the input first and last name match the COA

• Does not qualify for Move Update compliance

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Code Code Description Code Code Description

A COA Match 14Found COA: New Address Would Not Convert at Run Time

91 COA Match19

Found COA: New Address not ZIP + 4® coded or New address primary number not DPV® confirmable92 COA Match

01 Found COA: Foreign Move 04 Cannot match COA

02Found COA: Move, Left No Address (MLNA)

06Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions: Middle Name Related

03Found COA: Box Closed No Order (BCNO)

07Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions: Gender Related

05Found COA: New 11-digit DPBC is Ambiguous

08Cannot Match COA: Other Conflicting Instructions

NCOALink® Return Codes

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Code Code Description Code Code Description

09Cannot Match COA: High-rise Default

16Cannot Match COA: Secondary Number Discrepancy

10Cannot Match COA: Rural Default

17Cannot Match COA: Other Insufficient Name

11Cannot Match COA: Individual Match: Insufficient COA Name for Match

18Cannot Match COA: Other Insufficient Name

12Cannot Match COA: Middle Name Test Failed

20Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions after re-chaining

13Cannot Match COA: Gender Test Failed

66 Daily Delete

15Cannot Match COA: Individual Name Insufficient

00 No Match

NCOALink® Return Codes (cont.)

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NCOALink® Return Codes: COA Match, New Address Provided

Use New Address as soon as appropriate. To maintain compliance, New Address must be used when Move Effective Date is greater than 95 days.

Code Description Input: Master File:

A The input record matched to a COA record. New address is furnished.

Mary O’Neil123 MAIN ST

Mary O'Neil123 MAIN ST

91 Secondary Number dropped from COA – The input record matched to a COA record. The COA record had a secondary number and the input address did not.

Dan Krier123 MAIN ST

Dan Krier123 MAIN ST Apt 1(ZIPTM match is street level)

92 Secondary Number dropped from input address – The input record matched to a COA record. The input record had a secondary number and the COA record did not.

Cindy Smith123 ELM ST APT 5

Cindy Smith123 ELM ST(ZIP match is street level)

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Codes 91 and 92 Code 91 means the USPS® NCOALink® database

contained both a record with an unnecessary secondary, as provided by the customer, and a street level record which provided the match to the input with no secondary.

Code 92 means the USPS® NCOALink database contained only one record with no secondary and the input record contained an unnecessary secondary that was dropped to make the match.

Secondaries cannot be dropped on both the Input and Master files to generate a match.

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NCOALink® Return Codes: No Update


00 Input record COULD NOT BE matched to a COA record. Address is Move Update Compliant. No further action needed.

Mary Smith123 MAIN ST

No record

66 Daily Delete Match: Input record matched to a COA record with an old address that is present in the daily delete file. The presence of a record in the daily delete file means the COA record is pending deletion from the COA master file and no new side addresses may be provided.


John Smith (f)Apt 1123 MAIN ST(COA record is pending deletion from Master file and no update is to be provided)

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NCOALink® Rules: Provides valid delivery point addresses

• No Foreign addresses• Complete addresses only

If the new address is incomplete or insufficient …• USPS uses AEC to resolve address before uploading

into NCOALink

• If AEC can not resolve, a return code will be provided If no new address is available, obtain address via

alternative tools …• Customer: mobile, email, telephone• Third party providers

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NCOALink® Return Codes: COA Match, New Address NOT Provided

Code Description Action

01 Foreign Move – Found a COA for a Foreign Move. No forwarding address provided.(209,672 out of 200 million records)

New Address record may be acquired through ACS™.

02 Move, Left No Address (MLNA) – Found a COA for Moved Left No Address. (MLNA).(22,779,325 out of 200 million records)

If mailing to the Standardized Input address, know that this is an Undeliverable-As-Addressed Mailpiece.

03 Box Closed No Order (BCNO) – Found a COA for Post Box Closed No Order Filed by Customer.(4,988,550 out of 200 million records)

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NCOALink® Return Codes: COA Match, New Address Not Validated

Code Description COA: Problem

05 New 11-digit DPBC is Ambiguous – The COA record could not be converted to a deliverable address because the 11-digit ZIP Code™ represents more than one delivery point.(160,157 out of 200 million records)

456 1/4 ELM ST Cannot be validated to a single delivery point

14 New Address Would Not Convert at Run Time – The new address could not be converted to a deliverable address.

4516 ELM ST 4516 collides with a different COA with 4616 as the new address

19 New Address not ZIP + 4® coded or New address primary number not DPV® confirmable – The new address cannot be ZIP + 4 coded or the new address primary number cannot be confirmed on DPV.(2,174,927 out of 200 million records)

1234 OAK ST Cannot validate address

New Address may be provided via ACS™, but may be incomplete / insufficient and cause returns

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Conflicting & Insufficient Information

Action: Verify name and adjust where appropriate Action: In the meantime, use standardized addresses

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NCOALink® Return Codes: No New Address,Conflicting Information


07 Conflicting Directions: Gender Related –There is more than one COA record for the match algorithm and the genders of the names on the COAs are different. A single match result could not be determined.(24 out of 200 million records)

Patrick Jones123 MAIN ST

Mrs. Patrick Jones789 OAK ST

Patrick Jones456 ELM ST

13 Gender Test Failed – The input record was a potential match to a COA record. A match cannot be made because the gender of the name on the input record conflicts with the gender of the name on the COA record.

Robert Smith123 MAIN ST

Mrs. Robert Smith123 MAIN ST

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NCOALink® Return Codes: No New Address,Conflicting or Insufficient Information


06 Conflicting Directions: Middle Name Related –There is more than one COA record for the match algorithm and the middle names or initials on the COAs are different. A single match result could not be determined.(11,488 out of 200 million records)


Mary K Smith456 ELM ST

Mary J Smith789 OAK ST

12 Middle Name Test Failed – The input record was a potential match to a COA record. A match cannot be made because the input name contains a conflict with the middle name or initials on the COA record.

Cindy A. Smith123 MAIN ST

Cindy B. Smith123 MAIN ST

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NCOALink® Return Codes: Cannot Match due to Insufficient Information


11 Cannot Match COA: Individual Match: Insufficient COA Name for Match – There is a COA record with the same surname and address but there is insufficient first/middle name information on the COA record to produce a match using individual matching logic. (65,397 out of 200 million records)

C Jones C Jones

15 Cannot Match COA: Individual Name Insufficient – The input record was a potential match to a COA record that contains a first initial and middle initial/name. A match cannot be made because the input middle initial/name is missing or does not equal the middle initial/name on the COA.

C M Jones C Mary Jones

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08 Other Conflicting Instructions – The input record was a potential match to two COA records. The two records were compared and due to differences in the new addresses, a match could not be made. (72,316 out of 200 million records)


Mary Smith456 ELM ST

789 OAK ST

10 Cannot Match COA: Rural Default – The input record was a potential match to a family COA record from a Rural Route or Highway Contract Route address ZIP + 4® coded to the route default. This address situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match. (No instances in NCOALink)

AdamsRR 1

John AdamsRR 1

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09 High-rise Default – The input record was a potential match to a family COA record from a multi-unit building, but the address ZIP + 4® coded to the building default. This address match situation requires individual name matching logic to obtain a match and individual names do not match. (312,338 out of 200 million records)

Pete Adams123 MAIN ST

John Adams (F)123 MAIN ST(high rise default)

16 Cannot Match COA: Secondary Number Discrepancy – The input record was a potential match to a street level COA record. However, a match is prohibited based on one of the following reasons:• There is conflicting secondary information on the input and COA record• The input record contained secondary information and matched to a family record that does not contain secondary information.

Mary Doe123 MAIN ST APT 7

Mary Doe123 MAIN ST APT 2

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17 Cannot Match COA: Other Insufficient Name – The input record was a potential match to a COA record that contains a full first name and full middle name. The input middle initial/name is missing or different from the middle name on the COA. A match cannot be made because the first name on the COA was truncated and the middle names must be equal in order to make this match.

M C Smith Mary Cindy Smith

18 Cannot Match COA: Family COA with general delivery - input contains surname only. (63,746 out of 200 million records)

AdamsGeneral Delivery

John Adams (F)General Delivery

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CodeReturns New

AddressCode Description

20 No

Cannot Match COA: Conflicting Directions after re-chaining – Multiple COA records were potential matches to the input record. The COA records contained different new addresses and a single match result could not be determined. (7,966 out of 200 million records)

NCOALink® Return Codes

Input: Master File Contains:Cindy Adams 123 MAIN ST 1. MED 200201 Cindy Adams-Smith 123 MAIN ST 456 ELM ST Cindy Smith123 MAIN ST 2. MED 200303

Cindy Adams 456 ELM ST 789 OAK ST

3. MED 200303 Cindy Smith 456 ELM ST 1011 FRONT ST

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COA Interception Process with PARS

Redirection Processing

PARS

Redirection Processing

PARS

Delivery Unit

Delivery Unit

Inward Processing

P&DC

Incoming Secondary

P&DC

Outward Processing

P&DC

Outgoing Primary P&DC

Incoming Secondary

P&DC

Delivery Unit


FormerAddress

Mail sent toOld address

New addressNew

Address

Automatic Processing& Labeling

Image onlyNew address

COA identification & interception

Mr. Smith

New YorkSan Jose

Mr. Smith

New York

ACS™ Record Generated

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Outward Processing

P&DC

Outgoing Primary

Sacramento

Delivery Unit

Delivery Unit

Inward Processing

P&DC

Outward Processing

P&DC

Outgoing Primary

New York

Redirection Processing PARS/CFS

Redirection Processing PARS/CFS

Delivery Unit

Delivery Unit

Inward Processing

P&DC

Carrier

FormerAddress

Manual & mechanized mail redirection processing

New address

NewAddress

Incoming Secondary New York

Incoming Secondary San Jose

Mr. Smith

New York

Mr. SmithNew York

Mr. Smith

New YorkSan Jose

COA Processing with PARS & CFS (Non-Intercept)

ACS™ Record Generated

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Outward Processing

P&DC

Nixie Processing PARS/CFS

Delivery Unit

Delivery Unit

Carrier

Undeliverable asAddressed

Manual & mechanized processing

Mailer’s ReturnAddress

Mr. Smith

New York

Mr. SmithNew York

Mr. Smith

New York

Nixie Processing with PARS & CFS (ACS™)

ACS Record Generated

If W

aste

If Return to Sender


Incoming Secondary

P&DC

Mail sent toaddress

Mr. Smith

New York

Incoming Secondary

P&D

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Label Types: Type One

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Label Types: Type Two

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Label Types: Type Three

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UnderstandingACS™ NIXIE Codes

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Type Description Potential Action by Mailer

Attempted—Not Known* (A)

Carrier attempted delivery, piece returned, not the current resident at address.No forwarding order on file.(23.50% since 10/2011)

Investigate address. If all indication is that address is valid (or is now valid) continue to mail to this address, but perhaps change to an “or current resident” address format if appropriate. Attempt to obtain address confirmation / correction from the recipient via an alternate communication method.

Returned for Better Address (B)

Mail of local origin incompletely addressed for distribution or delivery.

For “B” consider using AEC to resolve incomplete or incorrect addresses.

ACS™ Deliverability (NIXIE) CodesNondelivery Codes

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Not Deliverable as Addressed—Unable to Forward* (Q)

Mail not deliverable at address given; no change-of-address order on file; or forwarding order expired (beyond 18 months) and purged. (50.12% since 10/2011)

Process against NCOALink® with 48 month data to obtain new address for expired COA records. If no COA is found:Investigate for better address. If all indication is that address is valid (or is now valid) continue to mail to this address.Attempt to obtain address confirmation / correction from the recipient via an alternate communication method.


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No Such Street (S)

Addressed to nonexistent street and correct street not known. (1.40% since 10/2011)

Investigate for better address. Investigate address for correction. For Insufficient Address, probably missing a secondary (apt, ste, etc). If all indication is that address is valid (or is now valid) continue to mail to this address. Attempt to obtain address confirmation / correction from the recipient via an alternate communication method. Consider using AEC to resolve incomplete or incorrect addresses.

Insufficient Address (I)

Mail without number, street, box number, route number, or geographical section of city or city and state omitted and correct address not known. Often used when the secondary is missing or invalid. (9.30% since 10/2011)

No Such Number (N)

Addressed to nonexistent primary number and correct number not known. (3.75% since 10/2011)

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In Dispute (E)

Mail returned to sender by order of chief field counsel because of dispute about right to delivery of mail and cannot be determined which disputing party has better right to mail. For example, in a divorce and they both filed a family COA. (.05% since 10/2011)

No way to know when dispute is resolved. Consider a temporary suppression of mail to this name/address. Attempt to contact recipient via an alternate communication method for when to resume mailing (or an alternate address to use).

No Mail Receptacle (M)

Addressee failed to provide a receptacle for receipt of mail. Mailbox has been removed or never provided. (2.30% since 10/2011)

Suppress mail to this address.Attempt to contact recipient via an alternate communication method for when to resume mailing (or a deliverable mailing address to use).


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No Such Office in State (X)

Addressed to nonexistent Post Office

Investigate for better address. Attempt to obtain address confirmation / correction from the recipient via an alternate communication method.

Outside Delivery Limits (D)

Addressed to location outside delivery limits of Post Office of address.

Hold mail for out-of-bounds customers in general delivery for specified period unless addressee filed order.

Illegible (L) Address not readable. Issue could be due to an insert shifting within the envelope such that address is not visible via the window. (.05% since 10/2011)

Investigate what in the production process caused the mailpiece to be illegible – and resolve.


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Refused (R) Addressee refused to accept mail or pay postage charges on it. (1.70% since 10/2011)

Suppress. Attempt to contact recipient via an alternate communication method for an alternate address to use. Process against NCOALink® to look for a COA that may have been filed.

Unclaimed (U) Addressee abandoned or failed to call for mail. (1.61% since 10/2011)

Vacant (V) House, apartment, office, or building not occupied. (Used only if mail is addressed using exceptional or simplified addressing)(6.06% since 10/2011)


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Temporarily Away (W)

Addressee temporarily away and period for holding mail expired

There is no indication of when the temporary COA was filed nor when it is set to expire. Base your decision of when to mail again based on your own knowledge and prior experience with the same customers and tracked information.


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Undeliverable, but not a NIXIE record


Box Closed—No Order (G)

Post office box closed for nonpayment of rent.

Base your action on the Move Effective Date. If recent (effective in the current or prior month), the odds are still good that recipient will file or has just filed a COA form. The older the Move Effective Date, the less likely that a COA form will be filed. Suppress until new address provided via NCOALink® processing or from the recipient. If you cannot make the change (due to legal or company policies) this address would have to be mailed at the full single piece First-Class Mail® rate. The mailpiece may not be deliverable.

Moved, Left No Address (K)

Addressee moved and filed no change-of-address order

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Type Description

Deceased (P) Used only when known that addressee is deceased and mail is not properly deliverable to another person. This endorsement must be made personally by delivery employee and under no circumstance may it be rubber-stamped. Mail addressed in care of another is marked to show which person is deceased. (.16% since 10/2011)

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Type Description

Delivery Suspended to Commercial Mail Receiving Agency

Failure to comply.

Undeliverable as Addressed, Missing PMB or # Sign

Failure to comply.

Returned for Postage Mail without postage or indication that postage fell off.

Returned to Sender Due to Addressee's Violation of Postal False Representation and Lottery Law

Mail returned to sender under false representation order and lottery order.

Returned to Sender Due to Addressee's Violation of Postal Lottery Law

Mail returned to sender under lottery order.

Returned to Sender Due to Addressee's Violation of Postal False Representation Law

Mail returned to sender under false representation order.


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www.usps.com/ncscwww.usps.com/ncsc

For More Information

ribbs.usps.govribbs.usps.gov

Customer CareCustomer Care

1-800-238-31501-800-238-3150

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Thank You!

Documents

1 Stephanie Miracle, Sr Product Manager, DST Output Lisa West, Manager Address Quality Programs, USPS ® Diving Deep into NCOA Link® and ACS™ National Postal