E8-24162. Global Expedited Package Services 1 Contract

AGENCY:

Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service Global Expedited Package Services 1 negotiated service agreement. This action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal operations.

DATES:

Comments are due October 14, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202-789-6820 and [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

On October 3, 2008, the Postal Service filed a notice announcing that it has entered into an additional Global Expedited Package Services 1 (GEPS 1) contract.^[1] GEPS 1 provides volume-based incentives for mailers that send large volumes of Express Mail International (EMI) and/or Priority Mail International (PMI). The Postal Service believes the instant contract is functionally equivalent to previously submitted GEPS agreements, and supported by the Governors' Decision filed in Docket No. CP2008-5.^[2] Id. at 1-2. It further notes that in Order No. 86, which established GEPS 1 as a product, the Commission held that additional contracts may be included as part of the GEPS 1 product if they meet the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and if they are functionally equivalent to the initial GEPS 1 contract filed in Docket No. CP2008-5.^[3] Id. at 1.

The instant contract. The Postal Service filed the instant contract pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.5. In addition, the Postal Service contends that the contract is in accordance with Order No. 86. It submitted the contract and supporting material under seal, and attached a redacted (public) copy of the certified statement required by 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2) to the Notice. Id. at 1-2. The Notice addresses reasons why the instant GEPS 1 contract fits within the Mail Classification Schedule language for GEPS 1, explains expiration terms, and discusses the Postal Service's interest in confidential treatment for the contract and related material.^[4] Id. at 2-3. It also provides the Postal Service's rationale for concluding that the instant contract is functionally equivalent to the initial contract filed in Docket No. CP2008-5 and therefore should be included within the GEPS 1 product. Id. at 3-5.

II. Notice of Filing

The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-1 for consideration of matters related to the contract identified in the Postal Service's Notice. The public portion of the filing can be accessed via the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov). Interested persons may express views and offer comments on whether the contract is consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or 3642. Comments are due no later than October 14, 2008.

The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public Representative in the captioned filings.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

It is ordered:

1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-1 for consideration of the matters raised in the Postal Service's Notice.

2. The Commission, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public.

3. Comments by interested persons in these proceedings are due no later than October 14, 2008.

4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register.

By the Commission.

Steven W. Williams,

Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  Notice of United States Postal Service Filing of Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 1 Negotiated Service Agreement, October 3, 2008 (Notice).

2.  See Docket No. CP2008-5, Decision of the Governors of the United States Postal Service on the Establishment of Prices and Classifications for Global Expedited Package Services Contracts (Governors' Decision No. 08-7), May 6, 2008, and Docket No. CP2008-5, United States Postal Service Notice of Filing Redacted Copy of Governors' Decision No. 08-7, July 23, 2008.

3.  See Docket No. CP2008-5, Order Concerning Global Expedited Package Services Contracts, June 27, 2008, at 7 (Order No. 86).

4.  Contract expiration is tied to one year after the Postal Service notifies the customer that all necessary approvals and reviews have been obtained. Id. at 2.