[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 190 (Tuesday, September 30, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56868-56869]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22980]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. CP2008-25; Order No. 110]
Global Expedited Package Service Contracts
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service
Global Expedited Package Service negotiated service agreement. This
action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal
operations.
DATES: Comments are due October 2, 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 [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
On September 22, 2008, the Postal Service filed a notice, which has
been assigned to Docket No. CP2008-25.\1\ This Notice announces an
individual negotiated service agreement, namely, a specific Global
Expedited Package Service (GEPS) contract the Postal Service has
entered into with an individual mailer. The Postal Service believes
that it is functionally equivalent to the Global Expedited Package
Services 1 (GEPS 1) product established in Docket No. CP2008-5.
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\1\ Notice of United States Postal Service Filing of
Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 1
Negotiated Service Agreement, September 22, 2008 (Notice).
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Docket No. CP2008-5. The Governor's Decision supporting the GEPS 1
product was filed in consolidated Docket No. CP2008-5.\2\ In Order No.
86, the Commission established GEPS 1 as a product and 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
substantially equivalent to the initial GEPS 1 contract filed in Docket
No. CP2008-5.\3\ The GEPS 1 product provides volume-based incentives
for mailers that send large volumes of Express Mail International (EMI)
and/or Priority Mail International (PMI).
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\2\ Docket No. CP2008-5, United States Postal Service Notice of
Filing Redacted Copy of Governors' Decision No. 08-7, July 23, 2008.
\3\ Docket No. CP2008-5, Order Concerning Global Expedited
Package Services Contracts, June 27, 2008 at 7 (Order No. 86) (``The
Commission will verify whether or not any subsequent contract is in
fact substantially equivalent. Contracts not having substantially
the same terms and conditions as the GEPS 1 contract must be filed
under 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B.'').
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Related contract. The Postal Service filed the proposed contract in
this docket pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.5, asserting that it is in accord
with Order No. 86 and is substantially equivalent to the initial GEPS 1
contract filed with the Commission. Id. In support of its filing, the
Postal Service also provides the contract and certain supporting
material under seal. The Notice contains the Postal Service's arguments
that this contract is substantially equivalent and that it exhibits
similar cost and market characteristics. Notice at 3-5. The Postal
Service also maintains that the contract, by virtue of its terms, fits
within the proposed Mail Classification Schedule language for GEPS 1.
Id. at 2.
While maintaining that the contract is substantially equivalent to
the initial GEPS 1 contract, the Postal Service
[[Page 56869]]
notes that the contract may differ in minor respects; for example,
prices may vary due to volume commitments, signing dates of the
agreements, existence of previous agreements, and other case specific
and negotiation related factors. Id. at 4-5. The Postal Service
maintains, however, that ``[i]ncidental differences to accommodate the
respective mailer[] do nothing to detract from the conclusion that
the[] agreement[] [is] `functionally equivalent in all pertinent
respects.' '' Id. at 5.
The Postal Service asks that the contract be added to the existing
GEPS 1 product. Id. at 2 and 5. It further notes that the contract is
``set to expire one year after the Postal Service notifies the customer
that all necessary approvals and reviews of the agreement have been
obtained, culminating with a favorable conclusion on review by the
Commission.'' Id. at 2.
II. Notice of Filings
The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2008-25 for review of this
contract. The public portions of these filings can be accessed via the
Commission's Web site (http://www.prc.gov).
Interested persons may express views and offer comments on whether
the planned changes are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632,
3633, or 3642. Comments are due no later than October 2, 2008.
The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public
Representative in this docket.
III. Ordering Paragraphs
It is Ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2008-25 for
consideration of the matters raised in this docket.
2. Comments on issues in these proceedings are due no later than
October 2, 2008.
3. The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington as Public
Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this
proceeding.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the
Federal Register .
By the Commission.
Steven W. Williams,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-22980 Filed 9-29-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P