CASS DPV & ZIP+4 Processing 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification?
- To certify software for processing international mail address formats
- To improve the accuracy of ZIP+4 coding, carrier route coding, DPV, and LACSLink matching performed by address processing software (Correct answer)
- To validate that mailing list software meets federal data privacy standards
- To certify software integration with electronic postage meter systems
Correct answer: To improve the accuracy of ZIP+4 coding, carrier route coding, DPV, and LACSLink matching performed by address processing software
CASS certification ensures that address matching software meets USPS accuracy standards for ZIP+4 coding, carrier route assignment, DPV confirmation, and LACSLink conversion.
Question 2: How frequently must CASS-certified software vendors submit their software for recertification by the USPS?
- Every 6 months
- Every 12 months (Correct answer)
- Every 18 months
- Every 24 months
Correct answer: Every 12 months
USPS requires CASS-certified software to be retested and recertified annually (every 12 months) to ensure it continues to meet accuracy standards as the USPS address database evolves.
Question 3: What information does USPS Form 3553 (CASS Summary Report) document for a mailing?
- A mailer's application for bulk rate postage discounts
- The results of CASS address processing including software certification date, match rates, and mailing date (Correct answer)
- The carrier route assignments for each piece in the mailing
- A USPS-generated audit report for postage compliance violations
Correct answer: The results of CASS address processing including software certification date, match rates, and mailing date
Form 3553 summarizes the CASS processing run, documenting the certified software used, the date processed, and the ZIP+4 and DPV match statistics required for postage discount eligibility.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a function validated or certified under the CASS program?
- ZIP+4 coding accuracy
- Carrier Route coding accuracy
- DPV (Delivery Point Validation) confirmation
- Email address syntax validation (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Email address syntax validation
CASS covers physical address coding components—ZIP+4, carrier route, DPV, and LACSLink—but email address validation is not a USPS addressing function and is outside the CASS scope.
Question 5: What type of test data does the USPS provide to evaluate address software accuracy during CASS certification testing?
- A random sample drawn from live customer mailing lists
- A standardized set of address records with pre-defined correct outputs against which software results are measured (Correct answer)
- A collection of known undeliverable addresses to test rejection logic
- A sample of international address records to evaluate global matching
Correct answer: A standardized set of address records with pre-defined correct outputs against which software results are measured
The USPS supplies CASS test files containing known addresses with predetermined correct ZIP+4, carrier route, and DPV results; software output is compared against these known answers to calculate accuracy.
Question 6: Which USPS program works in conjunction with DPV to help convert old rural-style addresses into city-style addresses for improved address matching and ZIP+4 assignment?
- SuiteLink
- LACSLink (Correct answer)
- NCOALink
- ACS (Address Change Service)
Correct answer: LACSLink
LACSLink converts rural route, highway contract, and other non-standard address formats to deliverable city-style street addresses, enabling subsequent DPV and ZIP+4 matching.
Question 7: When a mailer uses CASS-certified software and wants to qualify for automation postage discounts, which document must be presented to the USPS acceptance unit as proof of CASS processing?
- A signed letter from the software vendor confirming certification status
- USPS Form 3553, the CASS Summary Report generated by the certified software (Correct answer)
- A printout of the software's current certification number from the USPS website
- A copy of the raw address file before and after processing
Correct answer: USPS Form 3553, the CASS Summary Report generated by the certified software
Form 3553 is the required CASS Summary Report that mailers must present at the time of mailing to demonstrate that addresses were processed with certified software meeting USPS accuracy thresholds.
CASS DPV & ZIP+4 Processing 5
What is the primary purpose of CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) certification?