[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 39, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 39CFR501.15]

[Page 169-170]
 
                        TITLE 39--POSTAL SERVICE
 
                 CHAPTER I--UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE
 
PART 501_AUTHORIZATION TO MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE POSTAGE
 
Sec.  501.15  Computerized Meter Resetting System.

    (a) Description. The Computerized Meter Resetting System (CMRS) 
permits customers to reset their postage meters at their places of 
business. Authorized providers, who operate CMRS services, are known as 
resetting companies (RCs).
    (b) A customer is required to have funds available on deposit with 
the Postal Service before resetting a Postage Evidencing System or the 
provider may opt to provide a funds advance in accordance with paragraph 
(c) of this section.
    (c) If the RC chooses to offer advancement of funds to customers, 
the RC is required to maintain a deposit with the Postal Service equal 
to at least one (1) day's average funds advanced. The total amount of 
funds advanced to customers on any given day shall not exceed the amount 
the provider has on deposit with the Postal Service. The Postal Service 
shall not be liable for any payment made by the RC on behalf of a 
customer that is not reimbursed by the customer, since the RC is solely 
responsible for the collection of advances made by the RC.
    (d) The CMRS customer is permitted to make deposits in one of three 
ways: check, electronic funds transfer (or wire transfer), or automated 
clearinghouse (ACH) transfer. These deposits must be remitted to the 
Postal Service's designated bank account.
    (e) The RC must require each CMRS customer that requests a meter 
resetting to provide the meter serial number, the CMRS account number, 
and the meter's ascending and descending register readings. The RC must 
verify that there are sufficient funds in the customer's CMRS account to 
cover the postage setting requested before proceeding with the setting 
transaction (unless the RC opts to provide the customer a funds 
advance).
    (f) The Postal Service requires that the RC publicize to all CMRS 
customers the following payment options (listed in order of preference):
    (1) Automated clearinghouse (ACH) debits/credits.
    (2) Electronic funds transfers (wire transfers).
    (3) Checks.
    (g) Returned checks and ACH debits are the responsibility of the 
Postal Service. Upon notice from the Postal Service's designated bank, 
the provider will be required to immediately lock the customer account 
to prevent a meter reset until the Postal Service receives payment for 
the returned check or the provider is provided with valid ACH credit or 
wire information.
    (h) Refunds. The Postal Service will issue a refund in the amount 
remaining in a customer's Computerized Meter Resetting System account, 
after such time as the customer provides a written request to the 
provider, as long as the request meets the Postal Service approved 
minimum and time frame.
    (i) Security and Revenue Protection. To receive Postal Service 
approval to continue to operate systems in the CMRS environment, the RC 
must submit to a periodic audit of its system, to be conducted by an 
independent systems auditor, the frequency and scope of which shall be 
determined by the Postal Service. The provider will be responsible for 
all reasonable costs to conduct these audits.
    (j) Inspection of records and facilities. The RC must make its 
facilities that handle the operation of the computerized resetting 
system and all records about the operation of the system available for 
inspection by representatives of the Postal Service at all reasonable 
times. At its discretion, the Postal Service may continue to fund 
inspections as it has in the past, provided the costs are not associated 
with a particular security issue related to the provider's CMRS or 
supporting infrastructure.
    (k) The RC is required to incorporate the following language into 
its meter rental agreements:

              Acknowledgment of Deposit Requirement--Meters

    By signing this meter rental agreement, you the customer represent 
that you have read the Acknowledgment of Deposit Requirement--Meters and 
are familiar with its terms. You agree that, upon execution of this 
agreement with the RC, you will also be bound by

[[Page 170]]

all terms and conditions of the Acknowledgment of Deposit Requirement--
Meters, as it may be amended from time to time.