[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57304-57305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23371]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. RM2010-12; Order No. 534]
Periodic Reporting Proposals
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice
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SUMMARY: The Postal Service has requested changes in six analytical
methods approved for use in periodic reporting. This document
summarizes the proposals and invites public comment.
DATES: Comments are due October 8, 2010.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel,
[email protected] or 202-789-6820.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 8, 2010, the Postal Service
filed a petition pursuant to 39 CFR 3050.11 to initiate an informal
rulemaking proceeding to consider changes in the analytical methods
approved for use in periodic reporting.\1\ Six separate proposals are
included in the Petition labeled as Proposals Three through Eight.
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\1\ Petition of the United States Postal Service Requesting
Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytic
Principles (Proposals Three--Eight), September 8, 2010 (Petition).
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Proposal Three involves City Carrier costs. The Postal Service
asserts that the City Carrier Cost System is capturing more detailed
information regarding direct bundles. The proposal would incorporate
this new information by assigning relevant costs for direct bundles to
the products that utilize them.
Proposal Four would change the way certain In-Office Cost System
(IOCS) acceptance costs are allocated. The change would apply to
mailpieces accepted at a window, which bear non-retail indicia, and
host an extra service other than Registered Mail.\2\ Currently,
acceptance costs are assigned to the extra service. The Postal Service
proposes to modify this methodology by assigning acceptance costs to
the host mailpiece.
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\2\ The extra services include Certified, Insured, Return
Receipt, Delivery Confirmation, and COD.
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Proposal Five involves utilizing the more detailed information now
being captured by the Rural Carrier Cost System regarding collected
prepaid
[[Page 57305]]
parcels. The new information allows the recognition of a distinction
between collected prepaid parcels weighing less than or equal to 2
pounds, and those greater than 2 pounds.
Proposal Six involves the International Cost and Revenue Analysis
(ICRA). The Postal Service considers this proposal a change in
calculation procedure, not an analytical methodology change. The change
would separately incorporate the Inbound Processing and Carrier In-
Office costs for Canada, Developing Countries and Industrialized
Countries into the ICRA model using IOCS. The Postal Service asserts
that this incorporates the Commission's methodology for using IOCS
tally analysis into the ICRA model.
Proposal Seven would introduce a mailflow-based model of mail
processing costs for Standard Mail Parcels and NFMs (Not-Flat
Machinables). The Postal Service previously did not have a cost model
for mail processing for this product.
Proposal Eight involves the distribution key for distributing empty
equipment transportation costs to products. These costs are included in
cost segment 14 (purchased transportation). The proposal is to
attribute the empty equipment costs to products using a distribution
factor that is based on the aggregate pound miles traveled on modes of
transportation sampled by the Transportation Cost System (TRACS).
The attachments to the Postal Service's Petition explain each
proposal in more detail, including its objective, background, impact,
and an empirical example (comparing the changes in data reporting to
the status quo). The Petition, including the attachments, is available
for review on the Commission's Web site, http:[sol][sol]www.prc.gov.
Comments on Proposals Three through Eight are due no later than
October 8, 2010.
Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Cassie D'Souza is appointed as Public
Representative to represent the interests of the general public
concerning Proposals Three through Six and Eight; and John P.
Klingenberg is appointed as Public Representative to represent the
interests of the general public concerning Proposal Seven.
It is ordered:
1. The Petition of the United States Postal Service Requesting
Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in Analytic
Principles (Proposals Three--Eight), filed September 8, 2010, is
granted.
2. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2010-12 to consider the
matters raised by the Postal Service's Petition.
3. Interested persons may submit comments on Proposals Three
through Eight no later than October 8, 2010.
4. The Commission will determine the need for reply comments after
review of the initial comments.
5. As noted in the body of this order, Cassie D'Souza and John P.
Klingenberg are appointed to serve as the Public Representative to
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
6. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice in
the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-23371 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
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