80 FR 81380 - International Mail Contract

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 249 (December 29, 2015)

Page Range		81380-81381
FR Document		2015-32712
The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning a Type 2 rate adjustment and the filing of a related negotiated service agreement with Canada Post. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81380-81381]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32712]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. R2016-4; Order No. 2918]


International Mail Contract

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning a Type 2 rate adjustment and the filing of a related 
negotiated service agreement with Canada Post. This notice informs the 
public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other 
administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: January 5, 2016.

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. Contents of Filing
III. Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On December 17, 2015, the Postal Service filed a notice, pursuant 
to 39 CFR 3010.40 et seq., announcing a Type 2 Rate Adjustment to 
improve default rates established under the Universal Postal Union 
(UPU) Acts.\1\ The Notice concerns the Canada Post 2016 Agreement 
(Agreement),\2\ the inbound portion of a bilateral agreement with 
Canada Post Corporation (``Canada Post'' or ``CPC'') that the Postal 
Service contends is functionally equivalent to the baseline agreement 
with Koninklijke TNT Post B.V and TNT Post Pakketservice Benelux B.V. 
(``TNT Post''), (``the TNT Agreement'').\3\ The TNT Agreement is the 
baseline agreement that the Commission included within the Inbound 
Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal Operators 
1 product on the market dominant product list of the Mail 
Classification Schedule. Id.
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    \1\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Type 2 Rate 
Adjustment, and Notice of Filing Functionally Equivalent Agreement, 
December 17, 2015, at 1 (Notice).
    \2\ The Agreement replaces the Canada Post 2014 Agreement 
reviewed by the Commission in PRC Docket No. R2014-3. Docket No. 
R2014-3, Order No. 1940, Order Approving an Additional Inbound 
Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreement with Foreign Postal 
Operators 1 Negotiated Service Agreement (with Canada Post 
Corporation), December 31, 2013.
    \3\ See Docket Nos. MC2010-35, R2010-5, and R2010-6, Order No. 
549, Order Adding Inbound Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements 
with Foreign Postal Operators 1 to the Market Dominant Product List 
and Approving Included Agreements, September 30, 2010.
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II. Contents of Filing

    The Postal Service's filing consists of the Notice, two 
attachments, and redacted and unredacted versions of an Excel file with 
supporting financial workpapers. Notice at 2. Attachment 1 is an 
application for non-public treatment of materials filed under seal with 
the Commission. Id. Attachment 2 is a redacted copy of the Agreement. 
Id. On December 22, 2015, the Postal Service filed a signed version of 
the agreement.\4\
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    \4\ See Docket Nos. CP2016-57 and R2016-4, Notice of United 
States Postal Service of Filing Executed Agreement, December 22, 
2015.
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    The Agreement is the successor agreement to one previously found to 
be functionally equivalent to the baseline agreement in the Inbound 
Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreement with Foreign Postal Operators 1 
(MC2010-35) product.\5\ The Agreement provides that the effective date 
is February 1, 2016 for market dominant products. Notice, Attachment 2 
at 8.
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    \5\ See Order No. 549, see also Order No. 1940.
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    The Postal Service asserts that it is providing at least the 45 
days advance notice required under 39 CFR 3010.41; and identifies the 
parties to the Agreement as the United States Postal Service and Canada 
Post, the designated postal operator for handling letter-post 
originating in Canada. Notice at 3, 6. The Postal Service further 
asserts that the Agreement is intended to remain in effect until 
December 31, 2017. Id. at 4.
    The Postal Service states that the Agreement includes negotiated 
pricing and settlement for various inbound letter-post products, 
including registered mail, small packets with delivery confirmation, 
and International Business Reply Service (IBRS). Id.
    Reporting requirements. 39 CFR 3010.43 requires the Postal Service 
to submit a detailed data collection plan. In lieu of a special data 
collection plan for the Agreement, the Postal Service proposes to 
report information on the Agreement through the Annual Compliance 
Report. Id. at 8. The Postal Service also invokes, with respect to 
service performance measurement reporting under 39 CFR 3055.3(a)(3), 
the standing exception in Order No. 996 for all agreements filed in the 
Inbound Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal 
Operators 1 product grouping.\6\
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    \6\ Id., citing Docket No. R2012-2, Order Concerning an 
Additional Inbound Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreement with 
Foreign Postal Operators 1 Negotiated Service Agreement, November 
23, 2011, at 7 (Order No. 996).
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    Consistency with applicable statutory criteria. The Postal Service 
observes that Commission review of a negotiated service agreement 
addresses three statutory criteria under 39 U.S.C. 3622(c)(10) as 
codified in 39 CFR 3010.40. These are whether the agreement: (1) 
Improves the Postal Service's net financial position or enhances the 
performance of operational functions; (2) will not cause unreasonable 
harm to the marketplace; and (3) will be available on public and 
reasonable terms to similarly situated mailers. Notice at 8. The Postal 
Service asserts that it addresses the first two criteria in its Notice 
and that the third criterion is inapplicable, as there are no entities 
similarly situated to Canada Post in terms of its ability to tender 
broad-based small packet flows from Canada or serve as a designated 
operator for letter-post originating in Canada. Id. at 8-9.
    Functional equivalence. The Postal Service addresses reasons why it 
considers the Agreement functionally equivalent to the baseline TNT 
Agreement and requests that the Agreement be added to the market 
dominant product list within the Inbound Market Dominant Multi-

[[Page 81381]]

Service Agreements with Foreign Postal Operators 1 product. Id. at 9-
10, 13. The Postal Service identifies differences between the Agreement 
and the TNT Agreement, but asserts that these differences do not 
detract from the conclusion that the Agreement is functionally 
equivalent to the TNT Agreement. Id. at 10-13.

III. Commission Action

    The Commission, in conformance with rule 3010.44, establishes 
Docket No. R2016-4 to consider issues raised in the Notice. The 
Commission invites comments from interested persons on whether the 
Agreement is consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3622 and the requirements of 39 
CFR part 3010. Comments are due no later than January 5, 2016. The 
public portions of this filing can be accessed via the Commission's Web 
site (http://www.prc.gov). Information on how to obtain access to non-
public material appears in 39 CFR part 3007.
    The Commission appoints Nina Yeh to represent the interests of the 
general public (Public Representative) in this docket.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2016-4 for consideration 
of matters raised by the Postal Service's Notice.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Nina Yeh is appointed to serve as an 
officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the 
interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than January 5, 2016.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-32712 Filed 12-28-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
81380 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices

accessed via the Commission’s Web site I. Introduction notice required under 39 CFR 3010.41;
(http://www.prc.gov). On December 17, 2015, the Postal and identifies the parties to the
The Commission appoints Kenneth R. Service filed a notice, pursuant to 39 Agreement as the United States Postal
Moeller to serve as Public CFR 3010.40 et seq., announcing a Type Service and Canada Post, the designated
Representative in these dockets. 2 Rate Adjustment to improve default postal operator for handling letter-post
rates established under the Universal originating in Canada. Notice at 3, 6.
III. Ordering Paragraphs The Postal Service further asserts that
Postal Union (UPU) Acts.1 The Notice
It is ordered: concerns the Canada Post 2016 the Agreement is intended to remain in
1. The Commission establishes Docket Agreement (Agreement),2 the inbound effect until December 31, 2017. Id. at 4.
Nos. MC2016–48 and CP2016–63 to portion of a bilateral agreement with The Postal Service states that the
consider the matters raised in each Canada Post Corporation (‘‘Canada Agreement includes negotiated pricing
docket. Post’’ or ‘‘CPC’’) that the Postal Service and settlement for various inbound
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth contends is functionally equivalent to letter-post products, including
R. Moeller is appointed to serve as an the baseline agreement with Koninklijke registered mail, small packets with
officer of the Commission to represent TNT Post B.V and TNT Post delivery confirmation, and International
the interests of the general public in Pakketservice Benelux B.V. (‘‘TNT Business Reply Service (IBRS). Id.
these proceedings (Public Reporting requirements. 39 CFR
Post’’), (‘‘the TNT Agreement’’).3 The
Representative). 3010.43 requires the Postal Service to
TNT Agreement is the baseline
3. Comments are due no later than submit a detailed data collection plan.
agreement that the Commission
January 4, 2016. In lieu of a special data collection plan
included within the Inbound Market
4. The Secretary shall arrange for for the Agreement, the Postal Service
Dominant Multi-Service Agreements
publication of this order in the Federal proposes to report information on the
with Foreign Postal Operators 1 product
Register. Agreement through the Annual
on the market dominant product list of
Compliance Report. Id. at 8. The Postal
By the Commission. the Mail Classification Schedule. Id.
Service also invokes, with respect to
Stacy L. Ruble, II. Contents of Filing service performance measurement
Secretary. reporting under 39 CFR 3055.3(a)(3), the
The Postal Service’s filing consists of
[FR Doc. 2015–32711 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
the Notice, two attachments, and standing exception in Order No. 996 for
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P redacted and unredacted versions of an all agreements filed in the Inbound
Excel file with supporting financial Market Dominant Multi-Service
workpapers. Notice at 2. Attachment 1 Agreements with Foreign Postal
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION is an application for non-public Operators 1 product grouping.6
treatment of materials filed under seal Consistency with applicable statutory
[Docket No. R2016–4; Order No. 2918] criteria. The Postal Service observes that
with the Commission. Id. Attachment 2
International Mail Contract is a redacted copy of the Agreement. Id. Commission review of a negotiated
On December 22, 2015, the Postal service agreement addresses three
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. Service filed a signed version of the statutory criteria under 39 U.S.C.
ACTION: Notice. agreement.4 3622(c)(10) as codified in 39 CFR
The Agreement is the successor 3010.40. These are whether the
SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a agreement to one previously found to be agreement: (1) Improves the Postal
recent Postal Service filing concerning a functionally equivalent to the baseline Service’s net financial position or
Type 2 rate adjustment and the filing of agreement in the Inbound Market enhances the performance of
a related negotiated service agreement Dominant Multi-Service Agreement operational functions; (2) will not cause
with Canada Post. This notice informs with Foreign Postal Operators 1 unreasonable harm to the marketplace;
the public of the filing, invites public (MC2010–35) product.5 The Agreement and (3) will be available on public and
comment, and takes other provides that the effective date is reasonable terms to similarly situated
administrative steps. February 1, 2016 for market dominant mailers. Notice at 8. The Postal Service
DATES: Comments are due: January 5, products. Notice, Attachment 2 at 8. asserts that it addresses the first two
2016. The Postal Service asserts that it is criteria in its Notice and that the third
providing at least the 45 days advance criterion is inapplicable, as there are no
ADDRESSES: Submit comments entities similarly situated to Canada
electronically via the Commission’s 1 Notice of United States Postal Service of Type Post in terms of its ability to tender
Filing Online system at http:// 2 Rate Adjustment, and Notice of Filing broad-based small packet flows from
www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit Functionally Equivalent Agreement, December 17, Canada or serve as a designated operator
comments electronically should contact 2015, at 1 (Notice).
2 The Agreement replaces the Canada Post 2014 for letter-post originating in Canada. Id.
the person identified in the FOR FURTHER Agreement reviewed by the Commission in PRC at 8–9.
INFORMATION CONTACT section by Docket No. R2014–3. Docket No. R2014–3, Order Functional equivalence. The Postal
telephone for advice on filing No. 1940, Order Approving an Additional Inbound Service addresses reasons why it
alternatives. Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreement with
Foreign Postal Operators 1 Negotiated Service
considers the Agreement functionally
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Agreement (with Canada Post Corporation), equivalent to the baseline TNT
December 31, 2013. Agreement and requests that the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at
202–789–6820.
3 See Docket Nos. MC2010–35, R2010–5, and
Agreement be added to the market
R2010–6, Order No. 549, Order Adding Inbound dominant product list within the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements with
Foreign Postal Operators 1 to the Market Dominant Inbound Market Dominant Multi-
Table of Contents Product List and Approving Included Agreements,
September 30, 2010. 6 Id., citing Docket No. R2012–2, Order
I. Introduction 4 See Docket Nos. CP2016–57 and R2016–4,
Concerning an Additional Inbound Market
II. Contents of Filing Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing Dominant Multi-Service Agreement with Foreign
III. Commission Action Executed Agreement, December 22, 2015. Postal Operators 1 Negotiated Service Agreement,
IV. Ordering Paragraphs 5 See Order No. 549, see also Order No. 1940. November 23, 2011, at 7 (Order No. 996).

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 249 / Tuesday, December 29, 2015 / Notices 81381

Service Agreements with Foreign Postal notice informs the public of the filing, accessed via the Commission’s Web site
Operators 1 product. Id. at 9–10, 13. The invites public comment, and takes other (http://www.prc.gov).
Postal Service identifies differences administrative steps. The Commission appoints Curtis E.
between the Agreement and the TNT DATES: Comments are due: January 4, Kidd to serve as Public Representative
Agreement, but asserts that these 2016. in these dockets.
differences do not detract from the ADDRESSES: Submit comments III. Ordering Paragraphs
conclusion that the Agreement is electronically via the Commission’s
functionally equivalent to the TNT It is ordered:
Filing Online system at http://
Agreement. Id. at 10–13. 1. The Commission establishes Docket
www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit
Nos. MC2016–47 and CP2016–62 to
III. Commission Action comments electronically should contact
consider the matters raised in each
The Commission, in conformance the person identified in the FOR FURTHER
docket.
INFORMATION CONTACT section by
with rule 3010.44, establishes Docket 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Curtis E.
No. R2016–4 to consider issues raised in telephone for advice on filing
Kidd is appointed to serve as an officer
the Notice. The Commission invites alternatives.
of the Commission to represent the
comments from interested persons on FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: interests of the general public in these
whether the Agreement is consistent David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at proceedings (Public Representative).
with 39 U.S.C. 3622 and the 202–789–6820. 3. Comments are due no later than
requirements of 39 CFR part 3010. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: January 4, 2016.
Comments are due no later than January 4. The Secretary shall arrange for
5, 2016. The public portions of this Table of Contents
publication of this order in the Federal
filing can be accessed via the I. Introduction Register.
Commission’s Web site (http:// II. Notice of Commission Action
By the Commission.
www.prc.gov). Information on how to III. Ordering Paragraphs
Stacy L. Ruble,
obtain access to non-public material I. Introduction Secretary.
appears in 39 CFR part 3007.
The Commission appoints Nina Yeh In accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3642 [FR Doc. 2015–32710 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am]
to represent the interests of the general and 39 CFR 3020.30 et seq., the Postal BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
public (Public Representative) in this Service filed a formal request and
docket. associated supporting information to
add Priority Mail Contract 170 to the RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
IV. Ordering Paragraphs competitive product list.1
It is ordered: The Postal Service Proposed Collection; Comment
1. The Commission establishes Docket contemporaneously filed a redacted Request
No. R2016–4 for consideration of contract related to the proposed new
matters raised by the Postal Service’s product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Notice. 39 CFR 3015.5. Request, Attachment B. requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of
2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Nina To support its Request, the Postal the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
Yeh is appointed to serve as an officer Service filed a copy of the contract, a which provides opportunity for public
of the Commission (Public copy of the Governors’ Decision comment on new or revised data
Representative) to represent the authorizing the product, proposed collections, the Railroad Retirement
interests of the general public in this changes to the Mail Classification Board (RRB) will publish periodic
proceeding. Schedule, a Statement of Supporting summaries of proposed data collections.
3. Comments by interested persons in Justification, a certification of Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
this proceeding are due no later than compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a), and the proposed information collection is
January 5, 2016. an application for non-public treatment necessary for the proper performance of
4. The Secretary shall arrange for of certain materials. It also filed the functions of the agency, including
publication of this order in the Federal supporting financial workpapers. whether the information has practical
Register. utility; (b) the accuracy of the RRB’s
II. Notice of Commission Action estimate of the burden of the collection
By the Commission.
The Commission establishes Docket of the information; (c) ways to enhance
Stacy L. Ruble,
Nos. MC2016–47 and CP2016–62 to the quality, utility, and clarity of the
Secretary. consider the Request pertaining to the information to be collected; and (d)
[FR Doc. 2015–32712 Filed 12–28–15; 8:45 am] proposed Priority Mail Contract 170 ways to minimize the burden related to
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P product and the related contract, the collection of information on
respectively. respondents, including the use of
The Commission invites comments on automated collection techniques or
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION whether the Postal Service’s filings in other forms of information technology.
[Docket Nos. MC2016–47 and CP2016–62; the captioned dockets are consistent 1. Title and purpose of information
Order No. 2916] with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, collection: Employer Reporting; 3220–
3633, or 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 0005.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

New Postal Product CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comments are Under Section 9 of the Railroad
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. due no later than January 4, 2016. The Retirement Act (RRA), and Section 6 of
public portions of these filings can be the Railroad Unemployment Insurance
ACTION: Notice.
Act (RUIA), railroad employers are
1 Request of the United States Postal Service to
SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a required to submit reports of employee
Add Priority Mail Contract 170 to Competitive
recent Postal Service filing concerning Product List and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) of
service and compensation to the RRB as
the addition of Priority Mail Contract Unredacted Governors’ Decision, Contract, and needed for administering the RRA and
170 to the competitive product list. This Supporting Data, December 22, 2015 (Request). RUIA. To pay benefits due on a

VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:17 Dec 28, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1
Document Created: 2015-12-29 10:15:51
Document Modified: 2015-12-29 10:15:51
Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice.
Dates		Comments are due: January 5, 2016.
Contact		David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.
FR Citation		80 FR 81380