Multi-line Accuracy Support System

An MLOCR, a multiline optical character reader, is equipment that applies a barcode to mail and presorts it.2Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™page 44“Equipment used by mail service providers that applies a barcode and presorts mail, enabling the mail owner to take advantage of automation discounts.”USPS original MASS certifies MLOCRs, Remote Video Encoding and Local Video Encoding systems, and encoding stations.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“MASS™ certification is a process designed for certification for Multiline Optical Character Readers (MLOCRs), Remote Video Encoding (RVE), Local Video Encoding (LVE), and encoding stations.”USPS original It tests whether each one processes address information and applies an accurate Intelligent Mail barcode, or IMb.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“The MASS certification cycle is designed to evaluate the ability of MLOCRs and encoding stations to process address information and apply an accurate Intelligent Mail Barcode® to a mailpiece.”USPS original Certification qualifies a mailer to print barcodes for ZIP+4/DPV confirmed addresses on mail at automation rates.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“MASS certification qualifies mailers using MLOCRs and encoding stations to print ZIP+4/DPV confirmed address barcodes on mailpieces submitted for mailing at automation rates.”USPS original

Hardware manufacturers certify each machine type before mailers can test the machines they own.4MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 7“Customers will not receive test decks until the machine manufacturer has completed certification and authorizes the USPS to release test decks for their machine types.”USPS original A mailer using an MLOCR also needs CASS certified software for the machine's address matching.1PostalPro: MASS™“Mailers using multiline optical character readers (MLOCRs) to print delivery point barcodes on mailpieces must also obtain MASS certification that includes CASS certified software for the address matching software used on the MLOCRs.”USPS original The Addressing and Geospatial Technology office, AGT, issues MASS certification once a machine reaches the required accuracy.1PostalPro: MASS™“The Addressing and Geospatial Technology (AGT) office issues MASS™ certification once the required level of accuracy is achieved.”USPS original

MASS certification is annual, valid from the certification date to the end of the annual period, August 1 through July 31.1PostalPro: MASS™“MASS™ certification is an annual requirement and is valid from the certification date until the end of any current annual period (i.e., from August 1 of one year through July 31 of the next).”USPS original Customers must reapply and meet the accuracy requirements each year to stay certified.1PostalPro: MASS™“Customers must reapply for certification and meet the accuracy requirements each year to remain certified and avoid interrupted service to their customers.”USPS original Cycle O testing is required only of MASS manufacturers.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“Cycle O testing will only be required for MASS Manufacturers for the certification requirement cycle.”USPS original They test every model and configuration of the machines they will support.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“Manufacturers will be required to test all models and configurations of the machines that they will support for Cycle O.”USPS original

Every MASS test works like a CASS Stage II test: USPS grades the address-matching software and barcode hardware after they process a test file.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“All MASS tests are like CASS Stage II tests in that the performance of address matching software and barcode application hardware is evaluated after it has processed a test file.”USPS original The test file is a deck of test mailpieces, 2,000 for an MLOCR and 350 for an encoding station.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“All MLOCR test decks will contain 2,000 test mailpieces, while all encoding station test decks contain 350 mailpieces.”USPS original

The certification cycle has these phases:1PostalPro: MASS™“The MASS™ certification cycle is comprised of the following phases:”USPS original

1. Software manufacturer certification.1PostalPro: MASS™“Software manufacturer certification”USPS original
2. Hardware manufacturer certification.1PostalPro: MASS™“Hardware manufacturer certification”USPS original
3. RVE/LVE manufacturer certification.1PostalPro: MASS™“RVE/LVE manufacturer certification”USPS original
4. User certification.1PostalPro: MASS™“User certification”USPS original

A test deck holds the same kinds of addresses as the CASS Stage files, in about the same mix.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“The input addresses represent the same type and approximated mix of CASS Stage files.”USPS original Each test mailpiece is a printed insert in a window envelope.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“Each test mailpiece consists of one piece of 8 ½ inch white, 20-pound paper folded and inserted into a 24-pound, white-woven, 5 ¾ x 9 inches window envelope.”USPS original The upper window shows USPS data that names the deck, the customer tracking number and the question's key number.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“These elements identify the specific deck to which any test mailpiece belongs, the customer tracking number, and the exact question key number appearing on the mailpiece.”USPS original The key number is also the answer file's name, such as A00421EH.DAT.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“The key number is also the file name that will be returned via the Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) answer file (i.e., A00421EH.DAT).”USPS original

The lower window holds the test address and the NCSC IMb, a barcode with the test key.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“Inside the window is an Intelligent Mail Barcode which contains the NCSC IMb test key and when applicable an 11-digit routing code that indicates the mailpiece image that has to be returned to the NCSC as a .TIF file.”USPS original When a piece's image must come back, that IMb also carries the routing code 99999999999.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“If the mailpiece image should be returned an 11- digit routing code, 99999999999 will also be included in the IMb.”USPS original A piece whose return address is shaded and holds asterisks must also be returned as an image file.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“When the return address block contains asterisks and is shaded, these mailpieces must be returned as image files via EPF or mail (i.e., A00421EH_##.TIF).”USPS original

The machine sprays its answer as an IMb with these settings:

• Barcode ID set to 00.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Set Barcode ID to “00””USPS original
• Any valid 3-digit Service Type Identifier.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Set Service Type to any valid 3-digit Service Type Identifier (STID)”USPS original
• A Mailer ID of 6 or 9 digits, not all zeroes, the same on every piece.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Mailer ID can be 6 or 9 digits but cannot be all zeroes. The same Mailer ID must be sprayed on all mailpieces.”USPS original
• A serial number of 6 or 9 digits, not all zeroes, unique to each piece.4MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 7“Serial number can be 6 or 9 digits, cannot be all zeroes. A unique serial number must be sprayed on each mailpiece.”USPS original

A barcode that breaks these requirements fails the MASS test.4MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 7“Failure to adhere to these requirements will result in failure of the MASS test.”USPS original When a piece has an IMb in the address block and another in the barcode clear zone, the grader reads the clear-zone barcode.4MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 7“When an IMb™ exists in the address block and a second IMb exists in the barcode clear zone, the IMb in the clear zone will be read as the barcode answer because it is physically lower on the mailpiece.”USPS original For flats, the answer can also sit above the address block, within 4.75 inches of the right edge and 3.25 inches of the top.4MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 7“For flats testing, the barcode answer can be returned above the address block, within an area 4.75 inches from the right edge and 3.25 inches from the top of the mailpiece, or in the barcode clear zone.”USPS original

The answer file holds a record for every mailpiece in the test deck.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“A record for every mailpiece in the test deck must be included in the answer file.”USPS original Each field in the record has fixed positions and a fixed length.10MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 10“MASS Electronic File Layout”USPS original

Each field but the fillers holds one part of the answer:

• NCSC IMb: the test barcode, with its Barcode ID, STID, Mailer ID, serial number and 5-digit ZIP Code.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“Located in the address block above the input address contains a Barcode ID, Service Type ID, Mailer ID, serial number, and 5-digit ZIP Code.”USPS original
• Customer Answer: the machine's IMb for the test address, with all its elements.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“Customer answer to test address must contain all elements of IMb returned on the mailpiece.”USPS original
• MASS Identifier: the seven-character machine identifier, starting with X.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“Seven-character machine identifier. The first character should be an “X” to indicate static test data was used to process the test deck.”USPS original
• 5-Digit ZIP Code: the 5-digit ZIP Code sprayed on the piece.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The 5-digit ZIP Code sprayed on the mailpiece answer.”USPS original
• MASS Text Answer: the address the IMb was sprayed for, on a LACSLink, SuiteLink or change-of-address piece.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The address that matches the Intelligent Mail® Barcode that was sprayed for the LACSLink®, Suite Link®, or change of address answer.”USPS original

The machine may put its own STID, Mailer ID and serial number in the Customer Answer.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“Customer may substitute their own Service Type ID, Mailer ID, and unique serial number for each mailpiece.”USPS original A rejected piece, or one without a 5-digit ZIP Code, may leave the Customer Answer and ZIP Code fields blank.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“If the mailpiece is rejected, or the machine does not return a 5-digit ZIP Code, the Customer Answer field and 5-digit ZIP Code field can be blank. However, the NCSC IMb should be returned.”USPS original Its NCSC IMb should still be returned.7MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 11“If the mailpiece is rejected, or the machine does not return a 5-digit ZIP Code, the Customer Answer field and 5-digit ZIP Code field can be blank. However, the NCSC IMb should be returned.”USPS original

Test files go up through the EPF upload page, https://epfup.usps.gov/up/upload.html.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“To Upload MASS test files using the EPF application, go to https://epfup.usps.gov/up/upload.html.”USPS original The tester selects the file type MASS File Upload.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“Select File Type: MASS File Upload”USPS original The grading system picks up a file only when its name is correct.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The filenames must be correct for the grading system to be able to pick up the files.”USPS original USPS recommends uploading the files in this order:9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“It is recommended that you upload the files in the following order.”USPS original

1. The answer file, named on the mailpieces, with a .DAT extension.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The answer filename is located on the mailpieces and ends with a DAT extension (i.e., A0123456.DAT).”USPS original
2. The images of shaded pieces and of LACSLink and SuiteLink pieces the machine cannot spray, as .TIF files.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The image files should include all of the shaded mailpieces and/or LACSLink® and SuiteLink® mailpieces that you cannot spray the new or corrected address (i.e., A0123456EN_01.TIF, A0123456EN_02.TIF, etc.).”USPS original
3. PS Form 3553, the CASS Summary Report, as a .PDF file.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“The CASS Summary Report (PS Form 3553) should be returned with the extension PDF (i.e., A0123456.PDF).”USPS original

One zipped file of images should have its .ZIP extension renamed to .TIF.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“If you choose to send one ZIPped file, the .ZIP extension should be renamed to .TIF (i.e., A0123456_01.TIF).”USPS original

When an MLOCR captures the images or applies the barcodes, it must be MASS certified before its RVE or LVE system can attempt certification.11MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 5“If an MLOCR is used to capture mailpiece images or to apply Intelligent Mail Barcodes (IMb™), the MLOCR must be MASS certified before RVE and LVE system certification can be attempted.”USPS original The RVE and LVE test evaluates the whole remote or local video encoding operation.1PostalPro: MASS™“However, RVE and LVE is designed to evaluate the ability of the entire remote or local video encoding operation to process address information and apply an accurate DPBC to a mailpiece.”USPS original During that test, the MLOCR's own coding must be turned off.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“The MLOCR coding must be deactivated”USPS original

Existing networked machines can be tested in groups of four.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Existing networked machines can be tested in groups of four. Any new encode must be tested as a standalone for the first certification.”USPS original A new encoder must be tested alone for its first certification.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Existing networked machines can be tested in groups of four. Any new encode must be tested as a standalone for the first certification.”USPS original When the manufacturer passes, AGT issues a MASS Certification Letter.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“When the manufacturer passes certification, AGT issues a MASS Certification Letter.”USPS original

A deck passes with a score of 98.5% and every one of these conditions met:12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“A passing score of 98.5% must be achieved and the following requirements must be met on all test decks to attain MASS certification.”USPS original

• No more incorrectly coded Perfect Addresses than the maximum allowed.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“Cannot exceed the maximum allowed for incorrectly coded Perfect Address.”USPS original
• No code to a Fatal Add-on, which fails the test automatically.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“Cannot code to a Fatal Add-on (not allowed). Automatic test failure.”USPS original
• No more incorrectly coded delivery point barcodes than the maximum allowed.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“Cannot exceed the maximum allows for incorrectly coded DPBC.”USPS original
• PS Form 3553 counts within a 1% tolerance.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“Cannot exceed the 1% tolerance on the 3553 counts.”USPS original
• PS Form 3553 signed, dated, complete and accurate.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“CASS Summary Report (PS Form 3553) must be signed, dated, complete and accurate.”USPS original
• Any DPV false-positive record reported to DSF2STOP@USPS.GOV, in a separate email for each deck.12MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 13“DPV False Positive see records (if found), must be reported to DSF2STOP@USPS.GOV. Separate emails must be sent for each test deck.”USPS original

The decks also include mailpieces that test MPE systems.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“The MASS test decks will include mailpieces that will test MPE systems.”USPS original NCOALink MPE is a method that uses an MLOCR or RVE system to print the change-of-address update on the mailpiece.13Guide to Move Updatepage 23“a pre-mailing method that uses a Multiline Optical Character Reader (MLOCR) system or a Remote Video Encoding (RVE) system to print the COA update directly on the mailpiece”USPS original That portion of the test needs a score of 95% to pass.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“A passing score of 95% must be achieved to pass the MPE or Cloud portion of the test.”USPS original If the MPE audit fails, the Licensing Department puts that MLOCR in recertification mode.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“If the MPE audit fails, the MASS Department will inform the Licensing Department to put that MLOCR in recertification mode.”USPS original A machine that fails MASS gets a new test deck that includes forwardable pieces.8MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 6“Customer will be sent a new MASS test deck that includes forwardable pieces.”USPS original

A new system needs certification, and so does one that is moved, relocated within its facility, upgraded or reassembled.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“New systems and systems that are moved to a different address, relocated within the facility, upgraded, or reassembled also require certification.”USPS original The Licensing and Certification Department gives these systems a 45-day courtesy period.3MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 1“The Licensing and Certification Department provides a 45-day courtesy period for new, moved or relocated, upgraded, and reassembled systems.”USPS original It is granted when written notification arrives within seven days of the installation date.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“written notification is received within seven days of the installation date.”USPS original During the courtesy period, the system may produce mail at automation rates.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“Customers may then use the system to produce and submit mail and qualify for automation rates.”USPS original

The MASS Order Form is the preferred way to notify.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“The MASS Order form is the preferred method of notification.”USPS original The form must give the installation date, which sets the courtesy period.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“The installation date must be included on the MASS Order Form because the date is used to calculate the courtesy period.”USPS original

A machine certified within the current cycle needs recertification after any of these changes:14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“Recertification is required when a machine has been certified within the current certification cycle for the following reasons.”USPS original

• A new machine.
• A camera change, such as SBR to LMT.
• A model change.
• A hybrid system's change from one manufacturer to another.
• A move to a different address.
• Reassembly.

An equipment provider must certify a new software version or operating system on one of its machine models before releasing it.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“Providers are required to certify the new software version or operating system on one of their machine models before the new software or operating system can be released to their customers.”USPS original Customers do not have to test those updates.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“Customers will not be required to test the new address matching software updates or operating system changes.”USPS original A manufacturer must send written notification before it distributes a revision, upgrade or patch to its software or hardware.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“When an MLOCR or encoding station software developer or manufacturer issues a revision, upgrade, or patch to existing address matching software or hardware, the manufacturer must submit written notification to the Licensing and Certification Department before distributing the software or hardware.”USPS original

When a machine changes owners, the new owner must notify the Licensing and Certification Department by email at cassman.ncsc@usps.gov.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“When an MLOCR or encoding station is sold or ownership is transferred, the new owner must notify the Licensing and Certification Department in writing via email to cassman.ncsc@usps.gov.”USPS original The notice must name the machine's model, serial number and MASS ID, and both owners.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“The notification must include the following: Equipment model number, serial number, and MASS ID Previous owner’s name and address New owner’s name, address phone number, and FAX number”USPS original A machine that is upgraded, moved or relocated must be recertified by its new owner.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“Machines that are upgraded, physically moved to a new address, or relocated within the facility must be recertified by the new owner.”USPS original

A manufacturer that upgrades a machine another manufacturer supports must provide a Letter of Agreement from both parties, making a hybrid system.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“Manufacturers who enter into a purchase agreement with a customer to enhance or upgrade a machine that is currently supported by another manufacturer must provide a Letter of Agreement from both parties to the Licensing and Certification Department. This is known as a hybrid system.”USPS original Without that letter, the department assigns no MASS IDs for the system.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“The Licensing and Certification Department will not assign MASS IDs or process orders for any hybrid system requests for certification unless the Letter of Agreement is received from both parties.”USPS original

The initial MASS certification test has no charge.15MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 3“MASS Certification (initial test) No Charge”USPS original A retest costs the fee in the Price List, Notice 123.16MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 4“MASS Retesting - See Price List (Notice 123) in the Address Management Systems (AMS) section.”USPS original Certification test fees are payable within 30 days of the billing date.16MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 4“All certification test fees are payable within 30 days of the billing date.”USPS original AGT's Accounting Department mails the invoices.6MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 8“When applicable, the USPS Accounting Department at Addressing & Geospatial Technology (AGT) will mail all invoices.”USPS original

A failed test brings a report with the test score and errors, and USPS ships a new test deck.6MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 8“If a test fails, a report with the test score and errors will be sent and a new test deck will be shipped.”USPS original The Customer No Match Report marks each missed record with an error code, such as 15 for a fatal error.17MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle OPDF page 34“15 Fatal Error”USPS original A test run without static test data fails.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“Failure to use static test data will result in test failure.”USPS original

A LACSLink or change-of-address piece without its new address sprayed is graded as incorrect, unless it is culled and returned as a .TIF image.5MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 9“If LACSLink®, or a change of address is not sprayed on the appropriate mailpieces, the grader will assume these interfaces were not operational and the records will be graded as incorrect unless the mailpieces are culled out and returned as a .TIF image file.”USPS original The review cannot finish until every mailpiece image and culled piece arrives, which may delay results.6MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 8“We cannot complete the review of the test deck until all mailpiece images and culled mailpieces are received. This may delay test results.”USPS original A file with an incorrect name is not picked up from EPF.9MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 12“If the filenames are not correct, we cannot pick up the files from the EPF website.”USPS original

If a newly installed system has a problem, the customer must notify the department in writing so it can adjust the courtesy period.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“If a problem with the newly installed system occurs, customers must notify the Licensing and Licensing and Certification Department in writing so the courtesy period can be adjusted.”USPS original A system that becomes ineligible for automation rates gets an email to the customer to check the machine's status.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“If the system becomes ineligible for automation rates an email will be sent to the customer to verify the status of the machine.”USPS original A customer that fails to notify the department is reported to the Business Mail Entry manager as not certified.14MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 2“Failure to notify the Licensing and Certification Department will result in notification to the Business Mail Entry manager that the machine is not certified and not eligible for automation discounts.”USPS original

The Licensing and Certification Department answers questions at 800-642-2914 or cassman.ncsc@usps.gov.10MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 10“For more information, contact the Licensing and Certification Department at 800-642-2914 or email cassman.ncsc@usps.gov.”USPS original Mailed images and culled pieces go to MASS CERTIFICATION, ADDRESSING & GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY, 225 N HUMPHREYS BLVD STE 501, MEMPHIS TN 38188-1001.6MASS™ Technical Guide for Cycle Opage 8“MASS CERTIFICATION ADDRESSING & GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE 225 N HUMPHREYS BLVD STE 501 MEMPHIS TN 38188-1001”USPS original