New International Mail Contract

AGENCY:

Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to enter into an additional international mail contract. This document invites public comments on the request and addresses several related procedural steps.

DATES:

Comments are due: December 26, 2012.

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:

Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction

II. Contents of Filing

III. Commission Action

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

Notice of filing. On December 13, 2012, the Postal Service filed a notice announcing that it is entering into an additional Global Expedited Package Services (GEPS) 3 contract (Agreement). The Postal Service seeks to have the Agreement included within the GEPS 3 product on grounds of functional equivalence to a previously approved baseline agreement. Id. at 2.

Background. Customers for GEPS contracts are small- or medium-sized businesses that mail products directly to foreign destinations using Express Mail International, Priority Mail International, or both. Id. at 4. The Commission added GEPS 1 to the competitive product list, based on Governors' Decision No. 08-7, by operation of Order No. 86. Id. at 1. It later approved the addition of GEPS 3 contracts to the competitive product list as a result of Docket No. MC2010-28. The Commission designated the contract filed in companion Docket No. CP2010-71 as the baseline agreement for purposes of establishing the functional equivalency of other agreements proposed for inclusion within the GEPS 3 product. Notice at 1-2.

II. Contents of Filing

The filing includes a Notice, along with the following attachments:

• Attachment 1—a redacted copy of the Agreement;
• Attachment 2—a redacted copy of the certification required under 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2);
• Attachment 3—a redacted copy of Governors' Decision No. 08-7; and
• Attachment 4—an application for non-public treatment of material filed under seal.

The material filed under seal consists of unredacted copies of the Agreement and supporting financial documents. Id. at 2.

Functional equivalency. The Postal Service asserts that the instant Agreement and the baseline agreement are functionally equivalent because they share similar cost and market characteristics. Id. at 3. It notes that the pricing formula and classification established in Governors' Decision No. 08-7 ensure that each GEPS contract meets the criteria of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and related regulations. Id. The Postal Service further asserts that the functional terms of the two agreements are the same and the benefits are comparable. Id.

The Postal Service states that prices may differ, depending on when an agreement is signed, due to updated costing information. Id. at 4. It also identifies other differences in contractual terms, but asserts that the differences do not affect either the fundamental service being offered or the fundamental structure of the Agreement. Id.

Effective date; term. The Postal Service will inform its contracting partner of the effective date of the Agreement via notice provided as soon as possible, but no later than, 30 days after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals. Id. Attachment 1 at 7. The Agreement is to remain in effect for one calendar year, unless terminated sooner. Id.

III. Commission Action

The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2013-26 for consideration of matters raised in the Notice. Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Agreement is consistent with the requirements of 39 CFR 3015.5 and the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632 and 3633. Comments are due no later than December 26, 2012. The public portions of the Postal Service's filing can be accessed via the Commission's Web site at http://www.prc.gov. Information on how to obtain access to nonpublic material appears at 39 CFR 3007.40.

The Commission appoints Natalie Rea Ward to represent the interest of the general public (Public Representative) in this case.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

It is ordered:

1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2013-26 for consideration of matters raised in the Postal Service's Notice.

2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission designates Natalie Rea Ward to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.

3. Comments are due no later than December 26, 2012.

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