2014-21588. New Postal Product

AGENCY:

Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, & First-Class Package Service Contract 4 to the competitive product list. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES:

Comments are due: September 12, 2014.

ADDRESSES:

Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Notice of Commission Action

III. Request for Supplemental Information

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

In accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq., the Postal Service filed a formal request and associated supporting information to add Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, & First-Class Package Service Contract 4 to the competitive product list.^[1]

The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5. Id. Attachment B.

To support its Request, the Postal Service filed a copy of the contract, a copy of the Governors' Decision authorizing the product, proposed changes to the Mail Classification Schedule, a Statement of Supporting Justification, a certification of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a), and an application for non-public treatment of certain materials. It also filed supporting financial workpapers.

II. Notice of Commission Action

The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2014-43 and CP2014-76 to consider the Request pertaining to the proposed Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, & First-Class Package Service Contract 4 product and the related contract, respectively.

The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service's filings in the captioned dockets are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comments are due no later than September 12, 2014. The public portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov).

The Commission appoints James F. Callow to serve as Public Representative in these dockets.

III. Request for Supplemental Information

The contract states the effective date of this contract shall be one business day following the day on which the Commission issues all necessary regulatory approvals. It also states this contract shall expire three years form the effective date. Id. Attachment B at 3-4.

1. Please confirm that the Postal Service would like the start date to be the next business day if the Commission provides approval on a day preceding a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. If this is not confirmed, please provide the preferred method for determining the start date.

2. If the termination date is calculated as three years from the start date, the termination date might fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. If this occurs, please advise the Commission whether the Postal Service intends the termination date to be the actual Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday or the Postal Service intends the termination date to be extended to the next business day.

3. The Postal Service asks for Commission approval of several different forms of negotiated service agreements. Please explain any differences in the determination of start and termination dates that the Commission should consider among the different forms of agreements.

The Postal Service response is due no later than September 12, 2014.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

It is ordered:

1. The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2014-43 and CP2014-76 to consider the matters raised in each docket.

2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, James F. Callow is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings (Public Representative).

3. The Postal Service's response to the request for supplemental information is due no later than September 12, 2014.

4. Comments are due no later than September 12, 2014.

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

By the Commission.

Ruth Ann Abrams,

Acting Secretary.

Footnotes

1.  Request of the United States Postal Service to Add Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, & First-Class Package Service Contract 4 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and Supporting Data, September 4, 2014 (Request).