an old tradition of quality
in a new world of business
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Pyerotechnics Development, Inc.
500 West University Parkway #1S
Baltimore, Maryland 21210-3253
+1(410)808-6646 EIN:52-2351863
March 27, 2003
Document#20030327U00
Replaces#-----------
To : United States Postal Service, National Customer Support Center
: Attn: Manager of Address Management Eric I Seaberg
: 6060 Primacy Parkway, Suite 201
: Memphis, Tennessee 38188-0001
: v: +1 (901) 681-4548
: e: eseaberg@email.usps.gov
Dear Sir,
From your last correspondence, dated 2003 March 26, it is apparent that our
fee waiver request may not be granted. We feel that we should provide further
support to our request such that your agency may more clearly understand our
basis. To that effect we will give a brief overview which has not directly
been covered by the administrative record so far.
In late 2001 we were doing research in address management, it was during this
research we noticed that there was no public domain access to data collected
by our government. Further investigation revealed that the collection of this
data is funded through congress, hence our taxes. At that point we decided to
pursue this as a matter of public interest.
We spent several months preparing and chasing down the correct receptacle for
our FOIA request. Our basis is that the United States has laws concerning the
dissemination of information held by the government. It was the opinion of
Pyerotechnics Development, Inc. that the United States Postal Service (USPS)
has not complied with these laws.
We believe that the USPS has data of great public interest. This data is not
limited to but includes a ZIP+4 database and the TIGER/ZIP+4 bridge
information.
As stated on their website:
In 1983, the Postal Service began using an expanded ZIP Code
called "ZIP+4." A ZIP+4 code consists of the original 5-digit ZIP
Code plus a 4-digit add-on code. The 4-digit add-on number
identifies a geographic segment within the 5-digit delivery area,
such as a city block, office building, individual high-volume
receiver of mail, or any other unit that would aid efficient mail
sorting and delivery… it helps the Postal Service direct mail
more efficiently and accurately because it reduces handling and
significantly decreases the potential for human error and
possibility of misdelivery[sic]. It also will lead to better
control over USPS costs and, in turn, postage rate stability.
[http://www.usps.com/ncsc/ziplookup/zipcodefaqs.htm]


an old tradition of quality
in a new world of business
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The ZIP+4 File enables businesses with computer capabilities to
add ZIP+4 Codes to their address files. The ZIP+4 File contains
approximately 30 million records and is available in its entirety
or by selected states.
[http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressinfo/zip4.htm]
The Topological Integrated Geographic Encoding and Referencing
(TIGER)/ZIP+4 File is a useful tool that helps mailers explore
new markets by gathering and manipulating data to uncover
potential business areas. The TIGER /ZIP+4 File is a bridge file
that allows mailers to access other information using the ZIP+4
Codes they already have associated with their addresses. This
file provides demographers, market researchers, and offers a
method to relate ZIP+4 coded address lists to Census Bureau
demographic data. Now mailers can acquire Census Bureau
information on latitude, longitude, tract, Standard Metropolitan
Statistical Area (SMSA), etc. These files make an excellent base
for a geographic information system.
[http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressmgmt/tiger.htm]
From the above statements made by the USPS, it is clearly claimed by the USPS
that use of the requested records would enable persons to more effectively
use the USPS and understand how the USPS works. We feel that the benefits of
this information is not limited to the direct aiding of postal patrons in
their mailing efforts, but also fosters address management research too.
To address your concerns as to the parameters of the record set requested, we
would like to offer some clarification and points of note. In our request we
specified that ranges are acceptable when necessary, this also means that
boundaries are acceptable when required.
It is important not to read our request so strictly that we are denied
information your agency well knows exist in your files, albeit in a different
form which we have anticipated.
In regards to the determination responses from you agency, it is important
to: 1) to list what will be released and what will not; 2)clearly state the
reasons for not releasing the withheld records; 3) notify us of our appellate
options; 4) when a fee is assessed, a statement of charges for document
search, duplication costs, etc. and if the fee waiver is not granted, a
statement of why your agency believes that fee waiver is not in the public
interest.
It should be further noted that claiming Exemption 3 due to copyright of the
data is inappropriate since copyright protection is not available for
government works, nor does the Copyright Act meet the requirements for
Exemption 3 statute.
If your agency has further uncertainties or inquiries as to our request,
please contact us. We may be reached by e-mail, mail, or telephone. Thank you
very much for your cooperation in this matter.
Sincerely,
Jason Pyeron