bility of international transmission of electronic messages.

[43 FR 41984, Sept. 19, 1978]

§ 224.6 Law Department.

(a) The Law Department is headed by the General Counsel, who reports directly to the Postmaster General.

(b) The Law Department:

(1) Serves as legal advisor to the Postmaster General, the Deputy Postmaster General, and the entire Postal Service; this includes making rulings, giving advisory opinions, drafting or approving legal instruments, and representing the Service in administrative proceedings and in judicial proceedings as authorized;

(2) Interprets laws in relation to the Postal Service;

(3) Institutes and maintains administrative proceedings in the consumer protection area;

(4) Prepares the legislative program of the Postal Service, and prepares and submits reports and testimony on all legislation introduced in Congress that would affect the Postal Service;

(5) Is responsible for publication of regulations in the FEDERAL REGISTER;

(6) Manages the regional and field programs that are under the jurisdiction of the General Counsel and operates directly the field program in the area of labor relations law;

(7) Administers activities under the Tort Claims Act, and other personal injury and physical loss claims;

(8) Maintains liaison with other elements of the Government on legal matters and determines questions concerning legal relations between the Postal Service and Government agencies;

(9) Renders legal services concerning employees and labor relations matters; (10) Furnishes legal support in connection with all procurement and contracting activities;

(11) Performs legal services in connection with proceedings before the Postal Rate Commission;

(12) Acts as agent for the receipt of legal process on behalf of the Postal Service and the Postmaster General and other Headquarters officials resulting from the performance of their official functions;

(13) Provides legal services in connection with denials and revocations of second-class mailing privileges in proceedings before hearing examiners and the Judicial Officer;

(14) Represents Postal Service Contracting Officers before the Board of Contract Appeals;

(15) Administers the Ethical Conduct Program; and

(16) Interprets postal treaties and conventions.

[38 FR 20406, July 31, 1973. Redesignated at 40 FR 11723, Mar. 13, 1975; redesignated further at 43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978 and 43 FR 41984, Sept. 19, 1978; 46 FR 34330, July 1, 1981; 46 FR 40876, Aug. 13, 1981]

§ 224.7 Inspection Service Department.

The Inspection Service Department is headed by the Chief Postal Inspector, who reports directly to the Postmaster General. The Inspection Service Department is responsible for protection of the mails, enforcement of postal laws, plant and personnel security, postal inspection, and internal audits. The Inspection Service Department, in accordance with applicable policies, regulations, and procedures, carries out investigations and presents evidence to the Department of Justice and U.S. attorneys in investigations of a criminal nature. It also undertakes operating inspections and audits for the Postal Service. The Chief Postal Inspector acts as security officer and defense coordinator for the Postal Service, maintaining liaison with other enforcement investigative and law

agencies of the Government.

[43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978. Redesignated at 43 FR 41984, Sept. 19, 1978]

other policy matters in public areas involving congressional committees or individual Congressmen. It maintains liaison with Members of Congress and their staffs for the purpose of consulting and providing information as requested on specific legislation and on Postal Service policies and operations, and (except for the Law Department, as to matters within its responsibility) is the Postal Service's spokesman in this regard.

[38 FR 20406, July 31, 1973. Redesignated at 40 FR 11723, Mar. 13, 1975; redesignated further at 43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978 and 43 FR 41984, Sept. 19, 1978]

§ 224.9 Public and Employee Communications Department.

The Public and Employee Communications Department is headed by the Assistant Postmaster General, Public and Employee Communications, who reports directly to the Postmaster General. It is responsible for the interchange of information with employees and the public and for assuring that all information disseminated is consistent with management policies and practices.

[38 FR 20406, July 31, 1973. Redesignated at 40 FR 11723, Mar. 13, 1975; redesignated further at 43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978 and 43 FR 41984, Sept. 19, 1978]

§ 224.10 Executive Assistant to the Postmaster General.

The Executive Assistant to the Postmaster General is a principal advisor to the Postmaster General on matters of the highest level involving organization, administration, and policy formulation and issuance; performs special functions as directed by the Postmaster General; reports directly to the Postmaster General; serves as secretary to the Executive Committee (see § 221.5(d) of this chapter); and has coordinating responsibility for Board of Governors' meetings; and is also the Postmaster General's designee as the USPS liaison official to receive requests from the Postal Rate Commission for general information and for arranging Commission visits to postal installations.

[45 FR 43719, June 30, 1980]

§ 225.1 Designation of Postal Regions.

There are five Postal Regions:

(a) The Northeast Region includes the states of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, northern New Jersey served by ZIP Codes 070-079, 088-089, New York served by ZIP Codes 090098, 100-129, and the Caribbean Islands. The Northeast Regional Headquarters is in New York City, New York.

(b) The Eastern Region includes the District of Columbia, the states of Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, southern New Jersey served by ZIP Codes 080-087, and New York served by ZIP Codes 130-149. The Eastern Regional Head

quarters is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

(c) The southern region includes the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The southern regional headquarters is in Memphis, Tenn.

(d) The central region includes the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The central regional headquarters is in Chicago, Ill.

(e) The western region includes the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and the Pacific Islands including the Trust Territory. The western regional headquarters is in San Bruno, Calif.

[41 FR 3470, Jan. 23, 1976, as amended at 43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978]

§ 225.2 Regional Postmasters General.

(a) Each Postal Region is headed by a Regional Postmaster General, who reports to the Deputy Postmaster General. He is responsible for:

(1) Operating all postal installations (except those installations reserved to Headquarters) within the Region, in keeping with policies and directives issued by Headquarters, to accomplish high quality, efficient postal service;

(2) Efficiently implementing Headquarters policies and programs within the Region; and

(3) Reporting information that is necessary for planning and action by Headquarters.

(b) Each Regional Postmaster General exercises the functions and powers of the Postal Service with respect to postal operations within the Region (except those functions and powers reserved to Headquarters). This includes authority over:

(1) Appointment, promotion, transfer, discipline, and dismissal or other separation of Postal Service personnel within the Region, under policies and directives issued by Headquarters, consistent with the authority of the Senior Assistant Postmaster General, Employee and Labor Relations Group,

as described elsewhere in these regulations;

(2) Preparation and submission of regional budgets to Headquarters; and

(3) Planning and implementing regional capital improvement and maintenance programs, under policies and directives issued by Headquarters.

[41 FR 3470, Jan. 23, 1976, as amended at 46 FR 34330, July 1, 1981]

§ 225.3 Regional Mail Processing Department.

(a) The Regional Mail Processing Department is headed by the Regional Director, Mail Processing, who reports to the Regional Postmaster General. The Regional Mail Processing Department, within Headquarters policies and directives, is responsible for:

(1) Identifying present and future mail processing and transportation requirements;

(2) Developing budgets to support its activities;

(3) Managing the procurement and use of transportation services within the Region;

(4) Providing functional and technical guidance on engineering activities;

(5) Determining, developing, and implementing regional requirements for postal facilities and centrally procured non-fixed mechanization;

(6) Assisting in the preparation of the regional capital plans;

(7) Directing the building services, building equipment, and postal operating equipment maintenance programs, and coordinating the operation of the bulk mail centers;

(8) Implementing and monitoring quality control and other programs to improve mail service and productivity; (9) Providing functional guidance to distribution activities;

(10) Measuring the performance of operating units and assisting to improve quality and productivity; and

(11) Serving as liaison between Headquarters functional groups and mail processing personnel at postal facilities.

(b) Within the Regional Mail Processing Department, there are three divisions and one branch whose managers report to the Regional Director, Mail Processing.

(1) Logistics Division. The Logistics Division, headed by the General Manager, Logistics Division, is generally responsible for insuring efficient and expeditious transportation of mail within the Region, and administering the regional logistics systems. It plans the regional mail network and transportation schemes, insures effective use of Postal Service transportation capability, and procures necessary interregional transportation. It is specifically responsible for:

(i) Conducting review and evaluation of the distribution procedures used in regional mail processing activities, and insuring that necessary improvements are carried out;

(ii) Insuring effective and correct procurement and administration of transportation services by regional, district, and postal installation personnel, within their area of authority, including the procurement of necessary contract vehicle services;

(iii) Insuring that mail processing and transportation requirements are fully coordinated with the start up of new facilities and modifications to existing facilities, and preparing associated operating plans;

(iv) Providing necessary regional mail transportation and distribution services, including planning, administration, and performance evaluation services;

(v) Developing, implementing, and monitoring quality control and service standards programs;

(vi) Providing guidance to field logistics offices;

(vii) Coordinating the operations of the bulk mail centers;

(viii) Controlling mail equipment services;

(ix) Assuring regional adherence to Headquarters guidelines;

(x) Maintaining communications with transportation companies and contractors, and with large mailers;

(xi) Conducting on-site review of the distribution, routing, and dispatch procedures used in regional mail processing activities, and recommending improvements, and their implementa

tion;

(xii) Providing regional coordination with Headquarters policies and directives; and

(xiii) Developing, implementing, and monitoring regional logistics services and transportation systems.

(xiv) Overseeing the activities of from four to eight field transportation management offices.

(2) Maintenance Management Division. The Maintenance Management Division, headed by the General Manager, Maintenance Management Division, is generally responsible for building services, building equipment, and postal operating equipment maintenance programs. It is specifically responsible for;

(i) Developing and monitoring regional plant and equipment maintenance service;

(ii) Providing policy and program direction and technical assistance to postal installation maintenance personnel;

(iii) Approving all regional maintenance service contracts, and directing the maintenance contracting program to insure efficient use of contract services;

(iv) Identifying field maintenance training requirements through the Employee and Labor Relations Department;

(v) Directing the program for review and evaluation of the maintenance requirements of existing and proposed equipment, and recommending changes in design and operating procedures to correct or prevent operating and maintenance problems;

(vi) Supervising the regional energy conservation program; and

(vii) Assuring regional adherence to Headquarters guidelines.

(3) Operational Requirements Branch. The Operational Requirements Branch, headed by the Manager, Operational Requirements Branch, is responsible for:

(i) Determining, developing, and implementing short- and long-range regional requirements for postal facilities and centrally procured non-fixed mechanization;

(ii) Insuring that all affected regional and field organizations are aware of these requirements, and that supporting activities are properly planned and phased;

(iii) Coordinating all operating decisions related to facility and non-fixed mechanization requirements;

(iv) Insuring optimum use of plant and equipment through continual

evaluation;

(v) Recommending the relocation of equipment to enhance postal operating efficiency;

(vi) Establishing regional priorities for facility replacement and equipment deployment; and

(vii) Coordinating the phasing in and occupation of new facilities.

(4) Engineering Division. The Engineering Division, headed by the General Manager, Engineering Division, is generally responsible for providing a broad range of services to assist operating management in meeting schedule, quality, productivity, and cost goals. It provides engineering services and technical guidance, particularly in industrial engineering; plans, manages and monitors the regional productivity and mechanization improvement programs, providing program analysis and evaluation; and helps develop the regional capital plan. It is specifically responsible for:

(i) Providing regional coordination with Headquarters, consultants, and private engineering, contracting, and manufacturing firms;

(ii) Developing plans and preparing schematic drawings of the layout of mail processing systems and activities;

(iii) Providing in-house drafting services;

(iv) Providing mechanization systems manuals for new and modernized facilities;

(v) Developing technical criteria for equipment layout and space requirements, and determining those requirements;

(vi) Assisting in the preparation of functional design specifications for facilities projects, and project and budget authorizations for mechanization and facilities projects, except those included in national systems;

(vii) Assisting in the planning, installation, and phasing in of mechanizations and postal equipment;

(viii) Conducting studies to improve techniques for developing performance expectancy and reducing costs;

(ix) Assisting in the development of basic planning data for regional requirements;

(x) Monitoring the productivity of mail processing, and analyzing that activity, to provide performance data for the budget review process; and

(xi) Assisting in the identification of building maintenance problems, and recommending solutions for those problems.

[41 FR 3470, Jan. 23, 1976, as amended at 43 FR 29119, July 6, 1978]

§ 225.4 Regional Customer Services Department.

(a) The Regional Customer Services Department is headed by the Regional Director, Customer Services, who reports to the Regional Postmaster General. Within guidelines and directives from Headquarters, the Customer Services Department is responsible for:

(1) Implementing Postal Service programs related to sales management, delivery management, and retail management;

(2) Establishing policies and procedures for staff support to customer service field representatives and retail and delivery programs;

(3) Developing and analyzing studies of sales, retail, and delivery management;

(4) Developing budgets to support its activities;

(5) Approving allocation of resources for delivery vehicle requirements; and

(6) Providing guidance in the establishment and implementation of Postal Service sales, retail, and delivery programs.

(b) Within the Customer Services Department there are two divisions whose heads report to the Regional Director.

(1) Customer Programs Division. The Customer Programs Division, headed by the General Manager, Customer Programs Division, is generally responsible for advising the Regional Director, Customer Services, on customer programs, use of postal lobby facilities and employees, lobby program management, self-service postal facilities, and contract stations. It produces revenue through the sale of new