2024-23853. Service Standard Changes

Table 1—Estimated Annual Cost Savings by Category

Category	Estimated annual cost savings
Regional Transportation	$651 million.
Network Transportation	$1.8 billion ($1.1 billion from surface transportation and $701 million from air transportation).
Mail and Package Processing	$1.1-$1.2 billion.
Facilities	$81 million.

Id. at 24-25.

2. Service Standards

The Postal Service states that under the new standards, “the majority of overall market-dominant volume” will have “either the same service standards . . . or an accelerated standard.” Id. at 38. And while the specific volume impacts were filed under seal for competitive products, the Postal Service states that “the overall impact of these proposed changes is that the majority of packages will either have the same service standard or a better standard, consistent with the fact that a majority of package volume is entered in ZIP Codes that are within 50 miles of” the processing network. Id. at 40. Table 2 below details “the impact on all market-dominant volume, including end-to-end and destination entry. Id. at 38.

Table 2—Estimated Volume Changes Under Proposed Service Standards

Products	Estimated % of volume change
All Market Dominant Products	83% unchanged, 11% upgraded, 6% downgraded.
First-Class Mail	75% unchanged, 14% upgraded, 11% downgraded.
Marketing Mail	90% unchanged, 8% upgraded, 2% downgraded.
Periodicals	93% unchanged, 4% upgraded, 3% downgraded.
Package Services 4	79% unchanged, 12% upgraded, 9% downgraded.

Id. at 38-39.

( print page 83712)

Id. at 38.

C. The Postal Service's Direct Case

The Postal Service is required to file its direct case along with the Request. See39 CFR 3020.114. The Postal Service's direct case includes all the prepared evidence and testimony upon which the Postal Service proposes to rely on in order to establish that its proposal accords with and conforms to the policies of title 39, United States Code. See id. The Postal Service provides the direct testimony of five witnesses and identifies a sixth individual to serve as its institutional witness and provide information relevant to the Postal Service's proposal that is not provided by other Postal Service witnesses. See Request at 50-52. Table 3 below details the Postal Service's direct case, organized by witness.

Table 3—Postal Service Witnesses

1. Stephen Hagenstein	• Description of the proposed revisions to service standards, including the three legs • Explanation of inefficiencies of current network's first leg • Description of how RTO initiative corrects those inefficiencies • Anticipated flow of mail and package volume within the RPDC/LPC network • Estimated impact of proposed service standards on 5-Digit ZIP pairs	USPS-T-1.
2. Arslan Saleem	• Explanation of how the proposed changes will be addressed in measurement (including through revisions to the Service Performance Measurement (SPM) Plan) • Explanation of the exclusion of Sundays and holidays as transit days • Estimate of impacts on mail volumes • Explanation of performance measurement based on 5-Digit ZIP code	USPS-T-2.
3. Leslie Johnson-Frick	• Description of how RTO changes will not impact local mail collection and delivery • Explanation of how local office operations might change to accommodate the RTO initiative • Explanation of how changes will be communicated to customers • Explanation of measures to ensure timely delivery of Election Mail	USPS-T-3.
4. Gregory White	• Explanation of how the RPDC/LPC network changes and RTO initiative will improve processing effectiveness and produce cost savings • Description of the standard operating procedures for the RPDCs and LPCs	USPS-T-4.
5. Curtis Whiteman	• Discussion of the estimated cost savings • Description of the methodology used to calculate the estimated savings	USPS-T-5.
6. Sharon Owens	• Institutional witness capable of providing information relevant to the Postal Service's proposal that is not provided by other Postal Service witnesses	None filed.

Id. at 51-52.

Additionally, the Postal Service filed 17 library references, 8 of which are available to the public and 9 of which are designated as non-public material.

Table 4—Postal Service Library References

USPS-LR-N2024-1-1	RTO Determination Based on Distance from RPDC	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-2	Planned RPDCs and LPCs	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-3	Service Standard Changes to Market Dominant Products	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-4	Revised USPS Service Performance Measurement Plan	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-5	Revised Implementation Document for Service Performance Measurement Plan	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-6	Market Dominant Mail Volume Impact Analysis in Future State	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-7	Legacy Processing Assignments	Gregory White.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-8	Facilities and Operating Cost Savings from STC Insourcing	Gregory White.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP1	LTO Model Explanation and Pilot Results	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP2	Leg 2 Modeling Inputs, Explanation and Results	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP3	Service Standard Changes to Competitive Products	Stephen Hagenstein.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP4	Competitive Products Volume with Start-the-Clock on Saturday or Day Before Holiday	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP5	Competitive Product Mail Volume Impact Analysis in Future State	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP6	Impacts on Pharmaceutical Volume	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP7	Competitive Product Volume Impact in Future State	Arslan Saleem.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP8	LDC Productivity Rates and Workhours	Gregory White.
USPS-LR-N2024-1-NP9	Site-Specific Machine Productivity Information	Gregory White.
Note: The Postal Service filed the non-public library reference under seal (shaded in the above table), asserting it consists of commercially sensitive business information, specifically transportation costs and modeling, information related to the Postal Service's competitive products, and site- and machine-specific processing capabilities and productivity rates for competitive products. See Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing of Library References and Application for Non-Public Treatment, October 4, 2024, Application of the United States Postal Service for Non-Public Treatment at 4-8.

IV. Initial Administrative Actions

A. General Procedures

The procedural rules in 39 CFR part 3020 apply to Docket No. N2024-1. Before issuing its advisory opinion, the Commission shall accord an opportunity for a formal, on-the-record hearing pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557. 39 U.S.C. 3661(c). The Commission will sit en banc for Docket No. N2024-1. See39 CFR 3020.122(b). The form and manner for any hearings to be held in Docket No. N2024-1 shall be established by Commission Order or Presiding Officer Ruling at a later date.

B. Scope

Docket No. N2024-1 is limited in scope to the specific changes proposed by the Postal Service in its Request. See39 CFR 3020.102(b). To the extent that participants raise alternative proposals and present reasons why those alternatives may be superior to the ( print page 83713) Postal Service's proposal, the Commission would interpret such discussion as critiquing the specific changes proposed by the Postal Service in its Request.^[5] However, the Commission would not evaluate or opine on the merits of such alternative proposals in its advisory opinion. See Order No. 2080 at 18. Pursuant to its discretion, the Commission may undertake evaluation of alternatives or other issues raised by participants in separate proceedings (such as special studies or public inquires). See39 CFR 3020.102(b). Moreover, any interested person may petition the Commission to initiate a separate proceeding (such as a rulemaking or public inquiry) at any time. See39 CFR 3010.201(b) (initiation of notice and comment proceedings).

C. Designation of Presiding Officer

Pursuant to 39 CFR 3010.106, the Commission appoints Stephanie A. Quick to serve as presiding officer in Docket No. N2024-1, effective immediately. Ms. Quick shall have the authority delegated to the presiding officer under 39 CFR 3010.106(c), except for regulating the course of public conferences and hearings. See39 CFR 3010.106(c)(2). The Commission expands Ms. Quick's authority to allow her to propound formal discovery requests upon any party, at her discretion. The numerical limitation on interrogatories appearing in 39 CFR 3020.117(a) shall not apply to the presiding officer. The Commission also authorizes the presiding officer to rule on procedural issues such as motions for late acceptance and discovery-related matters such as motions to be excused from answering discovery requests. The presiding officer shall have authority to issue any ruling in this docket not otherwise specifically reserved to the Commission by 39 CFR 3020 and 3010.106. Commissioner Ashley Poling shall preside over the technical conference and any hearings conducted as part of this proceeding. Commissioner Poling shall have all the authority of the presiding officer, including but not limited to convening, adjourning, and ruling on oral motions made during the hearings.

D. Procedural Schedule

The Commission establishes a procedural schedule, which appears below the signature of this Order as Attachment 1. See39 CFR 3010.151, 3020.110; see also39 CFR part 3020 appendix A. Generally, the procedural schedule for a nature of service proceeding requires that the advisory opinion be issued within 90 days from the date of the filing of the Postal Service's request. See39 CFR 3020.110. Due to the breadth and complexity of the Postal Service's request, as well as the number of federal holidays that occur in the next 90 days, the Commission finds good cause to deviate from the pro forma procedural schedule, including extending the issuance date of the advisory opinion to 120 days. See39 CFR part 3020 appendix A. These dates may be further changed if good cause is shown, if the Commission later determines that the Request is incomplete, if the Commission determines that the Postal Service has significantly modified the Request, or for other reasons as determined by the Commission. See39 CFR 3020.110(b) and (c).

E. How To Access Material Filed in This Proceeding

1. Using the Commission's Website

The public portions of the Postal Service's filing are available for review on the Commission's website ( http://www.prc.gov). The Postal Service's electronic filing of the Request and prepared direct evidence effectively serves the persons who participated in the pre-filing conference. See39 CFR 3020.104. Other material filed in this proceeding will be available for review on the Commission's website, unless the information contained therein is subject to an application for non-public treatment.

2. Using Methods Other Than the Commission's Website

The Postal Service must serve hard copies of its Request and prepared direct evidence “only upon those persons who have notified the Postal Service, in writing, during the pre-filing conference(s), that they do not have access to the Commission's website.” 39 CFR 3020.104. If you demonstrate that you are unable to effectively use the Commission's Filing Online system or are unable to access the internet, then the Secretary of the Commission will serve material filed in Docket No. N2024-1 upon you via First-Class Mail. See39 CFR 3010.127(b) and (c). You may request physical service by mailing a document demonstrating your need to the Office of Secretary and Administration, Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001. Pursuant to 39 CFR 3010.127(c), the Secretary shall maintain a service list identifying no more than two individuals designated for physical service of documents for each party intervening in this proceeding. Accordingly, each party must ensure that its listing is accurate and should promptly notify the Secretary of any errors or changes. See39 CFR 3010.127(c).

3. Non-Public Material

The Commission's rules on how to file and access non-public material appear in 39 CFR part 3011. Each individual seeking non-public access must familiarize themselves with these provisions, including the rules governing eligibility for access; non-dissemination, use, and care of the non-public material; sanctions for violations of protective conditions; and how to terminate or amend access. See39 CFR 3011.300, 3011.302-.304. Any person seeking access to non-public material must file a motion with the Commission containing the information required by 39 CFR 3011.301(b)(1)-(4). Each motion must attach a description of the protective conditions and a certification to comply with protective conditions executed by each person or entity (and each individual working on behalf of the person or entity) seeking access. 39 CFR 3011.301(b)(5)-(6). To facilitate compliance with 39 CFR 3011.301(b)(5)-(6), a template Protective Conditions Statement and Certification to Comply with Protective Conditions appears below the signature of this Order as Attachment 2, for completion and attachment to a motion for access. See39 CFR part 3011 subpart C, appendix A. Persons seeking access to non-public material are advised that actual notice provided to the Postal Service pursuant to 39 CFR 3011.301(b)(4) will expedite resolution of the motion, particularly if the motion for access is uncontested by the Postal Service.

Non-public information must be redacted from filings submitted through the Commission's website; instead, non-public information must be filed under seal as required by 39 CFR part 3011 subpart B.

F. How To File Material in This Proceeding

1. Using the Commission's Filing Online System

Except as provided in 39 CFR 3010.120(a),^[6] all material filed with the ( print page 83714) Commission shall be submitted in electronic format using the Filing Online system, which is available over the internet through the Commission's website. The Commission's website accepts filings during the Commission's regular business hours, which are from 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET), except for Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays. A guide to using the Filing Online system, including how to create an account, is available at https://www.prc.gov/​how-to-participate. If you have questions about how to use the Filing Online system, please contact the dockets clerk by email at [e-mail] or telephone at [phone], option 2. Please be advised that the dockets clerk can only answer procedural questions but may not provide legal advice or recommendations.

2. Using Methods Other Than the Commission's Filing Online System

Material may be filed using a method other than the Commission's website only if at least one of the following exceptions applies:

• The material cannot reasonably be converted to electronic format,
• The filer is unable to effectively use the Commission's Filing Online system and the document is 10 pages or fewer, or
• The Secretary has approved an exception to the requirements to use the Commission's Filing Online system based on a showing of good cause.

39 FR 3010.120(a).

Material subject to these exceptions may be filed by mail to the Office of Secretary and Administration, Postal Regulatory Commission, 901 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20268-0001. The posting of mailed materials to the Commission's website may be delayed.

G. Technical Conference

1. Date and Purpose

A technical conference will be held live via Microsoft Teams on October 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET. The technical conference is an informal, off-the-record opportunity to clarify technical issues as well as to identify and request information relevant to evaluating the Postal Service's proposed changes. See39 CFR 3020.115(c). The technical conference will be limited to information publicly available in the Request. Any non-public information, including information in non-public library references attached to the Request, should not be raised at the technical conference. At the technical conference, the Postal Service will make available for questioning its five witnesses whose direct testimony was filed along with the Request and a sixth individual to serve as its institutional witness, who will provide information relevant to the Postal Service's proposal that is not provided by other Postal Service witnesses. See Request at 51-52; see also39 CFR 3020.113(b)(6)-(7), 3020.115(b). The names and topics to which these six individuals are prepared to address are summarized above in section III.C., table 3, infra.

2. How To Livestream the Technical Conference

The technical conference will be broadcast to the public via livestream, which will allow the public to view and listen to the technical conference, as it is occurring and after. To view and listen to the livestream, on or after 1 p.m. ET on October 16, 2024, an individual must click on the internet link that will be identified on the Commission's YouTube Channel, which is available at https://www.youtube.com/​channel/​UCbHvK-S8CJFT5yNQe4MkTiQ. Individuals do not have to register in advance to access the livestream. Please note that the livestream is a broadcast; therefore, there is a brief delay (several seconds) between the technical conference being captured on camera and being displayed to viewers of the livestream. Additionally, please note that clicking on the livestream link will not allow an individual the opportunity to question the Postal Service's six witnesses. Details on how to participate in the live technical conference event (and have the opportunity to question the Postal Service's six witnesses) follow.

3. How To Participate in the Technical Conference

To participate in this live technical conference and have the opportunity to ask questions of the Postal Service's six witnesses, an individual need not formally intervene in this docket but must register in advance as follows. Each individual seeking to participate in the live technical conference via Microsoft Teams using an individual device ( e.g., a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smart phone) must register by sending an email to [e-mail], with the subject line “N2024-1 Conference Registration” by October 15, 2024. In order to facilitate orderly public participation, this email shall provide the following information:

• your first and last name;
• your email address (to receive the Microsoft Teams link);
• the name(s) of the Postal Service witness(es) you would like to question and/or the topic(s) of your question(s); and
• your affiliation (if you are participating in your capacity as an employee, officer, or member of an entity such as a corporation, association, or government agency).

The [e-mail] email address is established solely for the exchange of information relating to the logistics of registering for, and participating in, the technical conference.^[7] No information related to the substance of the Postal Service's Request shall be communicated, nor shall any information provided by participants apart from the list identified above be reviewed or considered. Only documents filed with the Commission's docket system will be considered by the Commission. Before the technical conference, the Commission will email each identified individual a Microsoft Teams link, an explanation of how to connect to the technical conference, and information regarding the schedule and procedures to be followed.

4. Availability of Materials and Recording

To facilitate discussion of the matters to be explored at the technical conference, the Postal Service shall, if necessary, file with the Commission any materials not already filed in Docket No. N2024-1 (such as PowerPoint presentations or Excel spreadsheets) that the Postal Service expects to present at the technical conference by October 15, 2024. Doing so will foster an orderly discussion of the matters under consideration and facilitate the ability of individuals to access these materials should technical issues arise for any participants during the live technical conference. If feasible, the recording will be available on the Commission's YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/​channel/​UCbHvK-S8CJFT5yNQe4MkTiQ.

Participants in the live technical conference, by participating, consent to such recording and posting. Information obtained during the technical conference or as a result of the technical conference is not part of the decisional record, unless admitted under the ( print page 83715) standards of 39 CFR 3010.322. See39 CFR 3020.115(e).

The Commission reserves the right to cancel the technical conference should no parties register an intent to question the Postal Service's six witnesses.

H. How To Intervene (Become a Party to This Proceeding)

To become a party to this proceeding, a person or entity must file a notice of intervention by October 21, 2024.^[8] This filing must clearly and concisely state: (1) the nature and extent of the intervenor's interest in the issues (including the postal services used); (2) the intervenor's position on the proposed changes in services (to the extent known); (3) whether or not the intervenor requests a hearing; and (4) whether or not the intervenor intends to actively participate in the hearing. See39 CFR 3010.142(b). Page one of this filing shall contain the name and full mailing address of no more than two persons who are to receive service, when necessary, of any documents relating to this proceeding. See id. A party may participate in discovery; file testimony and evidence; conduct written examination of witnesses; conduct limited oral cross-examination; file briefs, motions, and objections; and present argument before the Commission or the presiding officer. See id. sections 3010.142(a); 3020.122(e). An opposition to a notice of intervention is due within 3 days after the notice of intervention is filed. See id. section 3010.142(d)(2).

I. Discovery

1. Generally Applicable Discovery Procedures

Discovery requests may be propounded upon filing a notice of intervention. Discovery that is reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence is allowed. See39 CFR 3020.116(a). Each party must familiarize themselves with the Commission's rules appearing in 39 CFR part 3020, including the rules for discovery in N-dockets generally and specific to interrogatories, requests for the production of documents, and requests for admissions. See39 CFR 3020.116-3020.119. No party may propound more than a total of 25 interrogatories (including both initial and follow-up interrogatories) without prior approval by the Commission or presiding officer.^[9]

Each answer to a discovery request is due within 7 days after the discovery request is filed.^[10] Any motion seeking to be excused from answering any discovery request is due within 3 days after the discovery request is filed. See39 CFR 3020.105(b)(1). Any response to such motion is due within 2 days after the motion is filed. See id. section 3020.105(b)(2). The Commission expects parties to make judicious use of discovery, objections, and motions practice, and encourages parties to make every effort to confer to resolve disputes informally before bringing disputes to the Commission to resolve.

2. Discovery Deadlines for the Postal Service's Direct Case

All discovery requests regarding the Postal Service's direct case must be filed by November 5, 2024. All discovery answers by the Postal Service must be filed by November 12, 2024. The parties are urged to initiate discovery promptly, rather than to defer filing requests and answers to the end of the period established by the Commission.

J. Rebuttal Case Deadlines

A rebuttal case is any evidence and testimony offered to disprove or contradict the evidence and testimony submitted by the Postal Service. A rebuttal case does not include cross-examination of the Postal Service's witnesses or argument submitted via a brief or statement of position. Any party that intends to file a rebuttal case must file a notice confirming its intent to do so by November 27, 2024. Any rebuttal case, consisting of any testimony and all materials in support of the case, must be filed by December 4, 2024.

K. Surrebuttal Case Deadlines

A surrebuttal case is any evidence and testimony offered to disprove or contradict the evidence and testimony submitted by the rebutting party. A surrebuttal case does not include cross-examination of the rebutting party's witnesses or argument submitted via a brief or statement of position. Any party that intends to file a surrebuttal case must obtain the Commission's prior approval and must bear the burden of demonstrating exceptional circumstances that would warrant granting the motion. See39 CFR 3020.121(b). Any motion for leave to file a surrebuttal case is due December 6, 2024. Any response to such motion is due December 10, 2024. Any surrebuttal case, consisting of any testimony and all materials in support of the case, must be filed by December 13, 2024.

L. Hearing Dates

The Commission expects that this case will require no more than 1 or 2 business days for hearing, but reserves 3 business days out of an abundance of caution and consistent with the pro forma schedule set forth in appendix A of 39 CFR part 3020. If no party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by November 27, 2024, then the hearing of the Postal Service's direct case shall begin December 4, 2024, with additional days reserved on December 5, 2024, and December 6, 2024.

If any party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by November 27, 2024, but no surrebuttal testimony will be presented, then the hearing of the Postal Service's direct case shall begin December 11, 2024, with additional days reserved on December 12, 2024, and December 13, 2024.

If any party files a notice of intent to file a rebuttal case by November 27, 2024, and the Commission approves the presentation of surrebuttal testimony, then the hearing of the Postal Service's direct case shall begin December 18, 2024, and the hearing of the surrebuttal case shall end December 20, 2024.

M. Presentation of Evidence and Testimony

Evidence and testimony shall be in writing and may be accompanied by a trial brief or legal memoranda. 39 CFR 3020.122(e)(1). Whenever possible and particularly for factual or statistical evidence, written cross-examination will be used in lieu of oral cross-examination. Id. section 3020.122(e)(2).

Oral cross-examination will be allowed to clarify written cross-examination and/or to test assumptions, conclusions, or other opinion evidence. Id. section 3020.122(e)(3). Assuming that no rebuttal case is filed, any party that intends to conduct oral cross-examination shall file a notice of intent to do so by November 25, 2024. The notice must include an estimate of the amount of time requested for each witness.

In lieu of submitting hard copy documents to the Commission as contemplated by 39 CFR 3020.122(e)(2), each party shall file a single document titled “Notice of Designations” containing a list for each witness that identifies the materials to be designated ( print page 83716) (without the responses). The filing party shall arrange its list for each witness in alphabetical order by the name of the party propounding the interrogatory followed by numerical order of the interrogatory. For example:

Designations for Witness One

ABC/USPS-T1-1

ABC/USPS-T1-3

DEF/USPS-T1-1

GHI/USPS-T1-3

JKL/USPS-T1-2

Designations for Witness Two

DEF/USPS-T2-4

GHI/USPS-T2-2

Assuming that no rebuttal case is filed, each party shall file its Notice of Designations by November 26, 2024.

Assuming that no rebuttal case is filed, on December 2, 2024, the Postal Service shall file a “Notice of Designated Materials” identifying any corrections to the testimony or designated materials for each witness sponsored by the Postal Service. Attached to that notice shall be an Adobe PDF file that contains the witness's designated written responses in alphabetical order by the name of the party propounding the interrogatory followed by numerical order of the interrogatory (with any corrections to the responses highlighted). The Postal Service shall also contemporaneously file any corrections to testimony (with those corrections highlighted).

N. Presentation of Argument

1. General Procedures

Any person that has intervened in Docket No. N2024-1 (and thereby formally became a party to this proceeding) may submit written argument by filing a brief or a statement of position; they also may request to present oral argument at the hearing. See39 CFR 3020.123; see also39 CFR 3010.142(a). Any person that has not intervened in Docket No. N2024-1 may submit written argument by filing a statement of position. See39 CFR 3020.123(g); see also39 CFR 3010.142(a).

2. Presentation of Written Argument

A brief is a written document that addresses relevant legal and evidentiary issues for the Commission to consider and must adhere to the requirements of 39 CFR 3020.123(a)-(f). A statement of position is a less formal version of a brief that describes the filer's position on the Request and the information on the existing record in support of that position. See39 CFR 3020.123(g).

a. Briefing Deadlines

Assuming that no rebuttal case is filed, initial briefs are due December 12, 2024, and reply briefs are due December 19, 2024. If any party files a notice confirming its intent to file a rebuttal case by November 27, 2024, then the briefing schedule may be revised.

b. Deadline for Statement of Position

Any interested person, including anyone that has not filed a notice of intervention and become a party to this proceeding, may file a statement of position. See39 CFR 3020.123(g); see also39 CFR 3010.142(a). A statement of position is limited to the existing record and may not include any new evidentiary material. See39 CFR 3020.123(g). Filings styled as a brief or comments, conforming with the content and timing requirements, shall be deemed statements of positions. Any statement of position is due December 12, 2024.

3. Request To Present Oral Argument

Oral argument has not historically been part of N-cases; the Commission would only grant a request to present oral argument upon an appropriate showing of need by the presenting party. See Order No. 2080 at 53. Assuming that no rebuttal case is filed, any party may file a request to present oral argument by November 25, 2024.

O. The Commission's Advisory Opinion

In section IV.D., the Commission stated that it found good cause to modify the procedural schedule such that the Commission shall issue its advisory opinion within 120 days of the filing of the Request. Therefore, absent a determination of good cause for further extension, the Commission shall issue its advisory opinion in this proceeding by January 31, 2025. “The opinion shall be in writing and shall include a certification by each Commissioner agreeing with the opinion that in his [or her] judgment the opinion conforms to the policies established under [title 39, United States Code].” 39 U.S.C. 3661(c). The advisory opinion shall address the specific changes proposed by the Postal Service in the nature of postal services. See39 CFR 3020.102(b). The Commission encourages the Postal Service to consider the recommendations from the advisory opinion before moving forward with implementation.

P. Public Representative

Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3661(c), Ping Gong shall continue to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. See Order No. 7414 at 3.

V. Ordering Paragraphs

It is ordered:

1. The procedural schedule for this proceeding is set forth below the signature of this Order.

2. Pursuant to 39 CFR 3010.106 and 3020.122(b), the Commission appoints Stephanie A. Quick to serve as presiding officer in Docket No. N2024-1, effective immediately.

3. Stephanie A. Quick is authorized to propound formal discovery requests upon any party, at her discretion. The numerical limitation on interrogatories appearing in 39 CFR 3020.117(a) shall not apply to the Presiding Officer.

4. Stephanie A. Quick is authorized to rule on procedural issues such as motions for late acceptance and discovery-related matters such as motions to be excused from answering discovery requests.

5. Stephanie A. Quick is authorized to make other rulings in this Docket not otherwise specifically reserved to the Commission according to 39 CFR 3020 and 3010.106.

6. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3661(c), Ping Gong shall continue to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.

7. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the Federal Register .

By the Commission.

Erica A. Barker,

Secretary.

Procedural Schedule for Docket No. N2024-1

[Established by the Commission, October 8, 2024]

Technical Conference Dates:
Deadline to Email [e-mail] to Register to Participate in the Live Technical Conference via Microsoft Teams	October 15, 2024.
Filing of the Postal Service's Materials (if any) for the Technical Conference	October 15, 2024.
( print page 83717)
Technical Conference (live via Microsoft Teams)	October 16, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).
Intervention Deadline:
Filing of Notice of Intervention	October 21, 2024.
Discovery Deadlines for the Postal Service's Direct Case:
Last Filing of Discovery Requests	November 5, 2024.
Filing of the Postal Service's Answers to Discovery	November 12, 2024.
Deadlines in Preparation for Hearing (assuming no rebuttal case):
Filing of Notice Confirming Intent to Oral Conduct Cross-Examination	November 25, 2024.
Filing of Request to Present Oral Argument	November 25, 2024.
Filing of Notice of Designations (Parties)	November 26, 2024.
Filing of Notices of Designated Materials (Postal Service)	December 2, 2024.
Rebuttal Case Deadlines (if applicable):
Filing of Notice Confirming Intent to File a Rebuttal Case	November 27, 2024.
Filing of Rebuttal Case	December 4, 2024.
Surrebuttal Case Deadlines (if applicable):
Filing of Motion for Leave to File Surrebuttal Case	December 6, 2024.
Filing of Response to Motion for Leave to File Surrebuttal Case	December 10, 2024.
Filing of Surrebuttal Case (if authorized)	December 13, 2024.
Hearing Dates:
Hearings (with no Rebuttal Case)	December 4 to 6, 2024.
Hearings (with Rebuttal Case, but no authorized Surrebuttal Case)	December 11 to 13, 2024.
Hearings (with Rebuttal Case and authorized Surrebuttal Case)	December 18 to 20, 2024.
Briefing Deadlines:
Filing of Initial Briefs (with no Rebuttal Case)	December 12, 2024.
Filing of Reply Briefs (with no Rebuttal Case)	December 19, 2024.
Statement of Position Deadline:
Filing of Statement of Position (with no Rebuttal Case)	December 12, 2024.
Advisory Opinion Deadline:
Filing of Advisory Opinion	January 31, 2025.