scope:

PURPOSE.

This Instruction has authority over all U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) directives prescribing official (penalty) mail policy, supplemental U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail services, and when/how to use commercial carriers (i.e. FedEx/United Parcel Service (UPS)) when shipping Official Matter using Small Package Delivery Services contracts. It provides instructions to implement the Coast Guard Official Mail Cost Control Program (CGOMCCP), prescribes the correct use of mail class, or supplemental USPS services thereby meeting the security, accountability, and delivery requirements of material being shipped at the most economical means. These policies apply to all USCG official mail/commercial carrier small package delivery services mailers/shippers who must comply with the references listed throughout this Instruction. This Instruction further:

a. Establishes policies concerning penalty mail and gives authority to accept and deliver personal mail under certain circumstances.

b. Provides guidance on the proper handling and processing of mailed Absentee Balloting Material to ensure legal requirements of the Absentee Voting Program are met.

c. Establishes policies concerning the shipment or mailing of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Sensitive Personally Identifiable Information (SPII).

d. Establishes a framework for complying with General Services Administration (GSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requirements to include Mail Data Collection and Reporting, Mail Security Plans (MSP) submission, and other reporting requirements as necessary.

e. Provides additional guidance for processing, receipt, and delivery of USCG official mail.

f. Provides additional guidance regarding the establishment of accounts, processing, receipt, and delivery of shipments containing USCG official matter when using small package delivery services contracts.