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USPS News: Philatelic Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2001
Stamp Release No. 01-009
U.S. Postal Service Seeks Proposals On Subjects For Future 'Fundraising' Stamps
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service today announced it is requesting proposals—submitted under specific requirements—for two future semipostal stamps expected to be issued in 2002 and 2004. Semipostal stamps are postage stamps sold at a price above the First-Class Mail single-piece first-ounce rate. The difference between the sales price and the postage value of semipostal stamps consists of an amount to fund causes determined by the Postal Service to be in the national public interest and appropriate.
Under a law passed by Congress last year, funds (net of postage and the Postal Service's costs) raised in connection with semipostal stamps are to be transferred to executive agencies.
Prior experience with semipostal stamps demonstrates that they have been well received by the American public. In 1998 the Postal Service issued the Breast Cancer Research stamp, the first semipostal in U.S. history. Some 291.5 million stamps have been sold to date, raising more than $20.2 million for breast cancer research. Sales of the stamp end July 29, 2002. After the conclusion of the sales period for the Breast Cancer Research stamp, the Postal Service expects to issue a new semipostal stamp at a time to be announced.
Interested persons should consult the notice of requirements for soliciting proposals published in the Federal Register. The notice is also available below:
| Federal Register: June 12, 2001 Semipostal Stamp Program -- Final rule -- [ PDF ] [ TEXT ] -- Notice of Request for Proposals -- [ PDF ] [ TEXT ] |
Based on the eligible proposals received by the Postal Service, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee will recommend—for each semipostal stamp—a cause and recipient executive agency or agencies to the Postmaster General for final approval.
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Semipostal Stamp Q & As
What is a semipostal stamp?
A semipostal is a postage stamp that is issued by the U.S. Postal Service, and sold at a price above the First-Class Mail single-piece first-ounce rate, to help provide funding for a cause determined by the Postal Service to be in the national public interest and appropriate.
How are semipostal stamps selected?
The Postal Service’s Semipostal Stamp Program was developed in accordance with Public Law No. 106-253, enacted July 28, 2000, authorizing the Postal Service to issue and sell semipostal stamps for a ten-year period.
Who receives the money designated for the semipostal stamp?
Only executive agencies are authorized to receive funds (in excess of postage and the Postal Service’s reasonable costs) raised by the sale of semipostal stamps.
What is the timeframe for submitting proposals?
According to the notice published in the Federal Register (and available on the Postal Service’s Web site) proposals for semipostal stamps expected to be issued in 2002 and 2004 will be accepted until August 31, 2001. Solicitations for proposals for semipostal stamps expected to be issued 2006 to 2010 will be accepted approximately three years prior to the year of issuance. Notices will be published in the Federal Register announcing the periods during which proposals may be submitted.
How must proposals be submitted?
An original and 20 copies of a proposal must be received by the office of Stamp Services by the specified closing date and time.
What kinds of subjects will be considered for evaluation?
The submission must demonstrate that the cause to be funded has broad national appeal and that the cause is in the national public interest and furthers human welfare. Respondents should submit supporting documentation demonstrating that funding the cause would benefit the national public interest. Respondents should consult regulations published in the Federal Register (and available on the Postal Service’s Web site) for more details on proposal requirements.
What kinds of subjects will not be considered for evaluation?
Consideration for evaluation will not be given to proposals that request support for the following: anniversaries; public works; people; specific organizations or associations; commercial enterprises or products; cities, towns, municipalities, counties or secondary schools; hospitals, libraries or similar institutions; religious institutions; causes that do not further human welfare; or causes determined by the Postal Service or the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee to be inconsistent with the spirit, intent or history of the Semipostal Authorization Act.
Who can submit a proposal?
Any person, agency or organization may submit a proposal for a cause to be funded by a semipostal stamp, except that proposals will not be considered from any contractor of the Postal Service that may stand to benefit financially from the Semipostal Stamp Program; or members of the CSAC and their immediate families and employees or contractors of the Postal Service, and their immediate families, who are involved in any decision-making related to causes, recipient agencies or artwork for the Semipostal Stamp Program.
Where do I send my proposal?
Proposals must be sent to:
STAMP SERVICES
SEMIPOSTAL STAMP PROGRAM
475 LENFANT PLZ SW RM 5670
WASHINGTON DC 20260-2435
When is the last day for submitting proposals?
The office of Stamp Services must receive an original and 20 copies of each proposal on or before 4:00 p.m., August 31, 2001, to be considered for the semipostal stamps expected to be issued in 2002 and 2004.
How long will semipostal stamps be available?
Future semipostal stamp sales will be limited to no more than two years. Only one semipostal stamp will be available at a time.
Will each semipostal stamp be available online?
Yes, during the sales period of a semipostal stamp, orders can be made online at our Postal Store (www.usps.com) or by calling toll free 1 800 STAMP-24.
What are the requirements for proposal submissions?
Interested persons should consult the Federal Register (or the Postal Service Web site) for complete information. The basic requirements are as follows:
- An original and 20 copies of the proposal must be timely submitted. If possible, an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file should be submitted, saved on a 3.5-inch diskette or CD-ROM diskette, containing the entire contents of the submission.
- The proposal submission must be signed by the individual or a duly authorized representative and must provide the mailing address, phone number, fax number (if available) and E-mail address (if available) of a designated point of contact.
- The submission must describe the cause and the purposes for which the funds would be spent.
- The submission must demonstrate that the cause to be funded has broad national appeal and that the cause is in the national public interest and furthers human welfare. Respondents should submit supporting documentation demonstrating that funding the cause would benefit the national public interest.
- The submission must be accompanied by a letter from an executive agency (or agencies) on agency letterhead representing that it is an executive agency as defined under 5 U.S.C. § 105, it is willing and able to implement the proposal, and it is willing and able to meet the requirements of the Act, if it is selected. The letter must be signed by a duly authorized representative of the agency.
- Consideration for evaluation will not be given to proposals that request support for the following: anniversaries; public works; people; specific organizations or associations; commercial enterprises or products; cities, towns, municipalities, counties or secondary school; hospitals, libraries or similar institutions; religious institutions; causes that do not further human welfare; or causes determined by the Postal Service or the CSAC to be inconsistent with the spirit, intent or history of the Act.
- Artwork and stamp designs should not be submitted with proposals.
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SEMIPOSTAL STAMP PROGRAM
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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