[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-31318]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

 [Docket No. CP2009-19; Order No. 160]


International Mail Contracts

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This document announces a recently-filed Postal Service notice 
of a new global expedited package services contract. It addresses 
procedural steps associated with this filing.

DATES: Comments due January 5, 2009.

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. Background

    On December 23, 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\ Notice 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\ Notice at 1.
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    \1\ Notice of United States Postal Service Filing of 
Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 1 
Negotiated Service Agreement, December 23, 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 United States 
Postal Service Notice of Filing Redacted Copy of Governors' Decision 
No. 08-7, July 23, 2008.
    \3\ See PRC Order No. 86, Order Concerning Global Expedited 
Package Services Contracts, June 27, 2008, at 7 (Order No. 86).
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    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 
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. The Postal Service requests that 
this contract be included within the GEPS product. Id. at 3-5.
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    \4\ Contract expiration is set to expire one year after the 
Postal Service notifies the customer that all necessary regulating 
approvals have been obtained. Id. at 2.
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II. Notice of Filing

    The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-19 for consideration 
of matters related to the contract identified in the Postal Service's 
Notice.
    Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Postal 
Service's contract is consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 
3622, or 3642. Comments are due no later than January 5, 2009. The 
public portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission's 
Web site (http://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Paul L. Harrington to serve as Public 
Representative in the captioned filings.
    It is Ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-19 for 
consideration of the matters raised in this docket.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Paul L. Harrington is appointed to 
serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in these proceedings.
    3. Comments by interested persons in these proceedings are due no 
later than January 5, 2009.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for the publication of this Order in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Steven W. Williams,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-31318 Filed 1-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P