By Tom Carroll MBA, PMP, EDP, MDA
PMO Director, Matrix Imaging Solutions

The U.S. Postal Service’s Mailers’ Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) met in July to discuss the Postal Service’s financial outlook, operational changes, pricing, and upcoming initiatives affecting commercial mailers. PGCA is represented at MTAC by Tom Carroll of Matrix Imaging Solutions, ensuring our members have a voice in discussions that shape postal policies and mailing services.

Here are the highlights most relevant to our members.

USPS Continues to Face Financial Challenges

Postmaster General Dave Steiner acknowledged that the Postal Service continues to operate under significant financial pressure. He outlined three priorities for strengthening USPS:

• Seeking congressional support to fund universal service obligations and six-day delivery.
• Continuing efforts to improve service while reducing operating costs.
• Pursuing pricing strategies and promotional programs designed to maintain mail volume.

Although financial challenges remain, USPS leadership expressed confidence that operational improvements are beginning to show positive results.

Network Changes Continue

USPS is continuing its nationwide network transformation.

Among the announced changes:

• Existing facilities will be upgraded rather than constructing many new facilities.
• New Regional Transportation Hubs activated in Memphis and Greensboro.
• Twenty-two additional Sorting & Distribution Centers will be established over the next 90 days.
• Mail entry locations for drop shipments may change as the network evolves.

Companies utilizing destination entry or drop-shipping should closely monitor USPS announcements to ensure shipments continue moving efficiently.

January Postal Rate Increase May Become the New Standard

One of the most significant announcements involves postal pricing.

USPS has asked the Postal Regulatory Commission to allow future Market Dominant rate increases to occur in January rather than July. If approved, the next increase could take effect in January 2027 at an estimated 4.5%.

The proposal remains under regulatory review, with a decision expected in August.

For companies that budget mailing expenses annually, this could change planning cycles and customer pricing strategies going forward.

Address Quality Improvements Continue

USPS continues development of its NCOA+ API, designed to streamline address maintenance and improve mailing list quality through automated processing.

The Postal Service hopes to launch the platform later this year, pending regulatory approval.

Election Mail Preparations Underway

With another election cycle approaching, USPS is focusing heavily on operational readiness.

Initiatives include:

• Standardized employee training.
• Outreach to political campaigns regarding mailpiece design.
• Increased coordination with state election officials.

The goal is to maintain reliable, secure handling of election-related mail throughout the process.

Additional Items Worth Watching

Several other developments discussed during MTAC may affect commercial mailers over the next two years:

• Potential expansion of the FAST appointment system to additional destination facilities.
• Continued modernization of package barcode systems.
• New promotional programs planned for 2027, including Direct Mail Discovery and enhanced impact messaging.
• Pilot testing of photographic proof of package delivery.

These initiatives remain in various stages of development but illustrate USPS’s continued investment in technology and operational improvements.

PGCA’s Voice at MTAC

Many postal policies affecting commercial printers and mailers are discussed and refined through MTAC before implementation. Through PGCA’s representation, our association is able to provide industry feedback and remain informed of developments that could impact member businesses.

We appreciate Tom Carroll of Matrix Imaging Solutions for representing PGCA at MTAC and helping keep our members informed of important postal developments.

Tom Carroll began his career in the mailing industry in 1995 as a direct mail programmer for Mail America Communications (Forest, VA). Over the next 26 years, as the company evolved into Innovairre Communictions, Tom took on numerous roles, including Data Services Manager, Technical Services and Postal Logistics. His transition to Matrix Imaging Solutions (Sanborn, NY) in 2021 as Director of Business Solutions marked a new chapter, culminating in his current rol as Project Management Office Director in 2023. Throughout his career, Tom has been instrumental in leading projects that adopted critical USPS technologies such as the Intelligent Mail Barcode, Full Service, and Seamless Acceptance. His collaborations with vendors to implement mail tracking and informed delivery have been pivotal in advancing the industry’s capabilities. Tom’s commitment to professional growth and industry involvement is clear from his participation in more than 20 National Postal Forums, along with numerous other significant events like Mailcom, Xplor, USPS AIM and USPS MTAC sessions. He has been on the board of the Buffalo/Niagara PCC since 2022.