Obtaining USPS CASS certification for applications

This section outlines the process for obtaining Coding Accuracy Support System (CASS) certification for software from the United States Postal Service (USPS). Currently, the USPS certifies only software programs (executables) and not software libraries. CASS certification for applications created from code libraries must be obtained directly from the USPS, by using the following procedure.

Procedure for CASS-Certifying an Application Program

Note: Testing the application against the Stage 1 file is optional, but recommended.

  1. Obtain a "Stage 1" file from the USPS National Customer Support Center (NCSC).

    This file can be obtained by either:

    • Downloading it from the NCSC Website at http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/.

    • FAXing an order using the appropriate USPS form (the USPS returns the magnetic media of your choice). You may obtain a copy of this form by downloading it as an Adobe Acrobat file from the NCSC Website, or by calling the National Customer Support Center at 1-800-642-2914.

    The Stage 1 file is a fixed-field, flat ASCII file containing approximately 100,000 addresses to be standardized. The USPS keeps an ASCII version of the Stage 1 file on their NCSC Website at http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/.

  2. Process the Stage 1 file using your standardization application. This testing process determines if the application outputs correctly standardized addresses in the proper format.

  3. Compare your standardized addresses with those that the USPS provides. The Stage 1 file contains the correct standardized addresses.

  4. Modify your application as necessary and repeat the standardization run as many times as needed.

  5. Request a Stage 2 file after you are satisfied that your application meets the USPS standards.

    The Stage 2 file contains approximately 100,000 test addresses extracted and presented in the same makeup and mixture as the Stage 1 file—only no answers are provided. Return the Stage 2 standardized addresses to the USPS for grading. This grade determines if the application will be CASS certified.

    The USPS either ships this file to you on your preferred medium (for example tape or diskette), or creates a custom file for you to download from the Internet.

  6. Process and return the Stage 2 file to the USPS within 10 days for grading.

You can only return the file via USPS methods (mail or upload). The USPS rejects packages delivered by other carriers (such as FedEx). If you upload the file, notify the CASS department with an e-mail message.

It generally takes a 1 to 3 days for the USPS to grade the file results.

If your standardized addresses pass USPS standards, the USPS sends you a certificate and the results of the grading.

If your standardized addresses fail USPS standards, the USPS notifies you and shows which addresses failed and the categories returned. Programs typically fail the CASS certification process because data is output incorrectly.

Note: You must obtain CASS certification for every release of your software application (that is, any time you recompile it and distribute it for general use).

For detailed information about the CASS certification process, review the documentation found on the Website http://www.usps.gov/ncsc/programs/. You may also get information about the CASS/MASS program by calling the NCSC at 1-800-642-2914.