As an additional problem, I've noticed that SPF checking mode fails on all options except 'only create received-spf headers, never block'. if i select any other option such as 'use temporary error notices...' or 'rejects mail when resolves...' i receive same error message as previous which would be:
host mail.xxx.com[x.x.x.x] said: 554
mail server permanently rejected message (#5.3.0) (in reply to end of DATA
command)
im still getting the mail server permanently rejected message (#5.3.0) (in reply to end of DATA command) error with the 9.0.0.2 error when my spf mode is set to fail, softfail, etc.