82 FR 47168 - Data Enhancements and Reporting Requirements for Flats

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 195 (October 11, 2017)

Page Range		47168-47169
FR Document		2017-21855
The Commission is initiating a proceeding to explore enhancements to the Postal Service's data systems and to facilitate the development of consistent reporting requirements. This document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 195 (Wednesday, October 11, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 11, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47168-47169]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-21855]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2018-1; Order No. 4142]


Data Enhancements and Reporting Requirements for Flats

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is initiating a proceeding to explore 
enhancements to the Postal Service's data systems and to facilitate the 
development of consistent reporting requirements. This document informs 
the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other 
administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: December 4, 2017.

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. Background
III. Next Step
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    The Commission initiates this proceeding to explore potential 
enhancements to the Postal Service's data systems and to facilitate the 
development of consistent reporting requirements. These data 
enhancements and reporting requirements will be used to measure, track, 
and report the cost and service performance issues concerning flat-
shaped mailpieces (flats).

II. Background

    In the FY 2015 ACD, the Commission identified and analyzed six 
``pinch points'' that contribute to cost and service issues for flats: 
\1\
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    \1\ Docket No. ACR2015, Annual Compliance Determination Report, 
Fiscal Year 2015, March 28, 2016, at 165 (FY 2015 ACD).

 Bundle processing
 Low productivity on automated equipment
 Manual sorting
 Productivity and service issues in allied operations
 Increased transportation time and cost
 Last mile/delivery

    Using data available at the time, the Commission identified and 
discussed flats cost and/or service issues for each individual pinch 
point. See FY 2015 ACD at 165-180. However, the Commission acknowledged 
that there was a ``lack of comprehensive data'' which prevents the 
Postal Service and the Commission from measuring the impact of specific 
initiatives designed to improve cost and service issues for flats. Id. 
at 180.
    The Commission directed the Postal Service to identify a method to 
measure, track, and report the cost and service performance issues 
relating to each individual pinch point identified by the Commission at 
the most granular level practicable. Id. at 181. To increase 
transparency, the Commission requested certain information in support 
of the identified method: Available data to support methods to measure, 
track and report on cost and service issues related to flats, 
information on the cost to produce and aggregate current data, 
additional data that would be needed to support a method to measure, 
track and report on cost and service issues related to flats and the 
cost to produce that data, and the identification of information 
necessary to develop, implement, monitor, and quantify results for a 
comprehensive plan to improve flats service performance and cost 
coverage if an ideal data system were available. Id.
    The Postal Service responded to the Commission's Chapter 6 
directive on July 26, 2016.\2\ The Postal Service provided an extensive 
discussion of data systems that could be used to measure certain 
aspects of individual pinch points; however, it did not provide a 
specific method for each pinch point to measure, track, and report on 
cost and service issues related to flats. To redirect the Postal 
Service's response, the Commission issued Commission Information 
Request No. 1.\3\ In Order No. 3539, the Commission scheduled an off-
the-record technical conference on October 21, 2016, to determine the 
status of the Postal Service's proposed methods as requested in the 
original Commission Directive.\4\ The Postal Service filed its response 
to CIR No. 1 on November 28, 2016.\5\ In both its 120-Day Response and 
in its Response to CIR No. 1, the Postal Service provided general 
information related to all pinch points, and information specific to 
each individual pinch point. The Postal Service's responses were 
informative; however, the Commission found that neither response 
addressed the Commission's original and main request to develop a 
method to measure, track, and report the cost and service performance 
issues relating to the individual pinch points.\6\ The Postal Service 
stated that the information it provided is ``the first step

[[Page 47169]]

in an evolutionary process to develop a set of data reports that the 
Commission and the Postal Service can agree add value to the question 
of how best to track and report on metrics that will ultimately lead to 
improvements in the service and efficiency of flats processing.'' 
Response to CIR No. 1 at 3.
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    \2\ Docket No. ACR2015, Third Response of the United States 
Postal Service to Commission Requests for Additional Information in 
the FY 2015 Annual Compliance Determination, Report Regarding 
Information about Flats Data Systems, July 26, 2016 (120-Day 
Response).
    \3\ Docket No. ACR2015, Commission Information Request No. 1, 
September 27, 2016 (CIR No. 1).
    \4\ See Docket No. ACR2015, Order Scheduling Technical 
Conference, September 27, 2016 (Order No. 3539).
    \5\ Docket No. ACR2015, Response of the United States Postal 
Service to Commission Information Request No. 1, November 28, 2016 
(Response to CIR No. 1).
    \6\ Docket No. ACR2016, Annual Compliance Determination Report, 
March 28, 2017, at 170.
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III. Next Steps

    Although the Postal Service discussed its data systems and proposed 
metrics for certain pinch points, the Postal Service did not explain 
how it will use this information to report on issues relating to flats. 
The Commission finds that measuring various cost and service impacts 
associated with flats will provide greater insight into the issues. 
Tracking these issues over time will assist the Commission and the 
Postal Service with developing solutions to reduce cost and improve 
service performance of flats. Reporting on these measures and tracking 
will enhance the transparency and ability of stakeholders with vested 
interests to participate in the development of a plan to improve flats 
cost and service issues.
    At this stage in the docket, and given the information already 
provided by the Postal Service, the Commission seeks to better 
understand the data collected by the Postal Service and the 
capabilities of the systems that collect that data. In the information 
request filed along with this Order, the Commission requests that the 
Postal Service provide additional information about certain data 
systems and reports. The information request seeks, among other things, 
information about the capabilities of the data systems, information 
about planned improvements to the data systems, and ideas as to how 
certain data systems could be used to measure the impact on flats costs 
and service performance issues. The Commission also requests certain 
summary data reports that are available from the various data systems. 
Responses to the information request should be submitted no later than 
60 days from the date of this Order. If the Postal Service identifies 
any other data or information that would be helpful to the goal of 
measuring cost and service impacts on flats, the Postal Service should 
also submit it with the requested information.
    Once the information is received and analyzed, the Commission 
intends to schedule a technical conference to review the data submitted 
by the Postal Service and to better understand the capabilities of the 
Postal Service's systems. As explained above, the Commission intends to 
use information provided by the Postal Service in this proceeding to 
develop a detailed proposal of data enhancements and reporting 
requirements for consideration in this docket. The Commission will 
invite public comment on the detailed proposal before adopting any 
final rule. The Commission anticipates that this information will lead 
to the development of measureable goals to decrease the costs and 
improve the service performance of flats.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2018-1 to explore data 
enhancements and to facilitate the development of consistent reporting 
requirements that will be used to evaluate the cost and service 
performance issues associated with flats.
    2. Responses to the Commission Information Request No. 1, in this 
docket, should be provided 60 days from the date of this Order.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Katalin K. 
Clendenin to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this docket.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-21855 Filed 10-10-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
47168 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules

requested a six-month extension of the ADDRESSES: Submit comments transparency, the Commission requested
comment period for Notice No. 164. In electronically via the Commission’s certain information in support of the
its letter, Laffort USA noted the Filing Online system at http:// identified method: Available data to
proposed rulemaking requested www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit support methods to measure, track and
comments ‘‘on many other topics of comments electronically should contact report on cost and service issues related
great relevance to the U.S. wine the person identified in the FOR FURTHER to flats, information on the cost to
industry,’’ and that it the comment INFORMATION CONTACT section by produce and aggregate current data,
period ‘‘covered the entire holiday telephone for advice on filing additional data that would be needed to
season.’’ The Laffort USA letter is alternatives. support a method to measure, track and
posted as Comment 5 to Notice No. 164 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
report on cost and service issues related
within Docket No. TTB–2016–0010 on David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at to flats and the cost to produce that
the Regulations.gov Web site at https:// 202–789–6820. data, and the identification of
www.regulations.gov. information necessary to develop,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
In response to these requests, TTB is implement, monitor, and quantify
reopening the comment period for Table of Contents results for a comprehensive plan to
Notice No. 164 for an additional 90 improve flats service performance and
I. Introduction
days. TTB notes that the wine treating II. Background
cost coverage if an ideal data system
materials discussed in the regulatory III. Next Step were available. Id.
amendments in Notice No. 164 have IV. Ordering Paragraphs The Postal Service responded to the
been previously approved Commission’s Chapter 6 directive on
administratively for use by wine I. Introduction July 26, 2016.2 The Postal Service
industry members in the treatment of The Commission initiates this provided an extensive discussion of
their wine. TTB believes that a 90-day proceeding to explore potential data systems that could be used to
reopening of the comment period for enhancements to the Postal Service’s measure certain aspects of individual
Notice No. 164 will allow all interested data systems and to facilitate the pinch points; however, it did not
parties to fully consider the regulatory development of consistent reporting provide a specific method for each
amendments proposed in that requirements. These data enhancements pinch point to measure, track, and
document. and reporting requirements will be used report on cost and service issues related
Therefore, comments on Notice No. to measure, track, and report the cost to flats. To redirect the Postal Service’s
164 are now due to TTB on or before and service performance issues response, the Commission issued
January 9, 2018. Comments on Notice concerning flat-shaped mailpieces Commission Information Request No.
No. 164 may be submitted as described (flats). 1.3 In Order No. 3539, the Commission
above in the ADDRESSES section of this scheduled an off-the-record technical
II. Background conference on October 21, 2016, to
document.
In the FY 2015 ACD, the Commission determine the status of the Postal
Drafting Information identified and analyzed six ‘‘pinch Service’s proposed methods as
Michael Hoover of the Regulations points’’ that contribute to cost and requested in the original Commission
and Rulings Division drafted this service issues for flats: 1 Directive.4 The Postal Service filed its
document. • Bundle processing response to CIR No. 1 on November 28,
• Low productivity on automated 2016.5 In both its 120-Day Response and
Signed: September 28, 2017.
equipment in its Response to CIR No. 1, the Postal
John J. Manfreda,
• Manual sorting Service provided general information
Administrator.
• Productivity and service issues in related to all pinch points, and
[FR Doc. 2017–21809 Filed 10–10–17; 8:45 am] allied operations information specific to each individual
BILLING CODE 4810–31–P • Increased transportation time and cost pinch point. The Postal Service’s
• Last mile/delivery responses were informative; however,
Using data available at the time, the the Commission found that neither
POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION Commission identified and discussed response addressed the Commission’s
flats cost and/or service issues for each original and main request to develop a
39 CFR Part 3050 individual pinch point. See FY 2015 method to measure, track, and report the
[Docket No. RM2018–1; Order No. 4142] ACD at 165–180. However, the cost and service performance issues
Commission acknowledged that there relating to the individual pinch points.6
Data Enhancements and Reporting was a ‘‘lack of comprehensive data’’ The Postal Service stated that the
Requirements for Flats which prevents the Postal Service and information it provided is ‘‘the first step
the Commission from measuring the
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission. 2 Docket No. ACR2015, Third Response of the
impact of specific initiatives designed to United States Postal Service to Commission
ACTION:Advance notice of proposed improve cost and service issues for flats. Requests for Additional Information in the FY 2015
rulemaking. Id. at 180. Annual Compliance Determination, Report
The Commission directed the Postal Regarding Information about Flats Data Systems,
SUMMARY: The Commission is initiating
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS

July 26, 2016 (120-Day Response).
a proceeding to explore enhancements Service to identify a method to measure, 3 Docket No. ACR2015, Commission Information

to the Postal Service’s data systems and track, and report the cost and service Request No. 1, September 27, 2016 (CIR No. 1).
to facilitate the development of performance issues relating to each 4 See Docket No. ACR2015, Order Scheduling

consistent reporting requirements. This individual pinch point identified by the Technical Conference, September 27, 2016 (Order
Commission at the most granular level No. 3539).
document informs the public of the 5 Docket No. ACR2015, Response of the United

filing, invites public comment, and practicable. Id. at 181. To increase States Postal Service to Commission Information
takes other administrative steps. Request No. 1, November 28, 2016 (Response to CIR
1 Docket No. ACR2015, Annual Compliance No. 1).
DATES: Comments are due: December 4, Determination Report, Fiscal Year 2015, March 28, 6 Docket No. ACR2016, Annual Compliance

2017. 2016, at 165 (FY 2015 ACD). Determination Report, March 28, 2017, at 170.

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Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 195 / Wednesday, October 11, 2017 / Proposed Rules 47169

in an evolutionary process to develop a proposal of data enhancements and Clean Air Act (CAA). Section 110 of the
set of data reports that the Commission reporting requirements for consideration CAA requires that each state adopt and
and the Postal Service can agree add in this docket. The Commission will submit a SIP for the implementation,
value to the question of how best to invite public comment on the detailed maintenance, and enforcement of each
track and report on metrics that will proposal before adopting any final rule. new or revised NAAQS promulgated by
ultimately lead to improvements in the The Commission anticipates that this EPA. These SIPs are commonly referred
service and efficiency of flats information will lead to the to as ‘‘infrastructure’’ SIPs. The
processing.’’ Response to CIR No. 1 at 3. development of measureable goals to infrastructure requirements are designed
decrease the costs and improve the to ensure that the structural components
III. Next Steps
service performance of flats. of each state’s air quality management
Although the Postal Service discussed program are adequate to meet the state’s
its data systems and proposed metrics IV. Ordering Paragraphs responsibilities under the CAA. In the
for certain pinch points, the Postal It is ordered: ‘‘Rules and Regulations’’ section of this
Service did not explain how it will use 1. The Commission establishes Docket Federal Register, we are approving the
this information to report on issues No. RM2018–1 to explore data state’s SIP revisions as a direct final rule
relating to flats. The Commission finds enhancements and to facilitate the without a prior proposed rule. If we
that measuring various cost and service development of consistent reporting receive no adverse comment, we will
impacts associated with flats will requirements that will be used to not take further action on this proposed
provide greater insight into the issues. evaluate the cost and service rule.
Tracking these issues over time will performance issues associated with DATES: Comments must be received by
assist the Commission and the Postal flats. November 13, 2017.
Service with developing solutions to 2. Responses to the Commission ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
reduce cost and improve service Information Request No. 1, in this identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R07–
performance of flats. Reporting on these docket, should be provided 60 days OAR–2017–0513, to https://
measures and tracking will enhance the from the date of this Order. www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
transparency and ability of stakeholders 3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the instructions for submitting comments.
with vested interests to participate in Commission appoints Katalin K. Once submitted, comments cannot be
the development of a plan to improve Clendenin to serve as an officer of the edited or removed from Regulations.gov.
flats cost and service issues. Commission (Public Representative) to The EPA may publish any comment
At this stage in the docket, and given represent the interests of the general received to its public docket. Do not
the information already provided by the public in this docket. submit electronically any information
Postal Service, the Commission seeks to 4. The Secretary shall arrange for you consider to be Confidential
better understand the data collected by
publication of this order in the Federal Business Information (CBI) or other
the Postal Service and the capabilities of
Register. information whose disclosure is
the systems that collect that data. In the
By the Commission. restricted by statute. Multimedia
information request filed along with this
Order, the Commission requests that the Stacy L. Ruble, submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
Postal Service provide additional Secretary.
accompanied by a written comment.
information about certain data systems The written comment is considered the
[FR Doc. 2017–21855 Filed 10–10–17; 8:45 am]
and reports. The information request official comment and should include
BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P
seeks, among other things, information discussion of all points you wish to
about the capabilities of the data make. The EPA will generally not
systems, information about planned consider comments or comment
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION contents located outside of the primary
improvements to the data systems, and AGENCY
ideas as to how certain data systems submission (i.e. on the web, cloud, or
could be used to measure the impact on other file sharing system). For
40 CFR Part 52 additional submission methods, the full
flats costs and service performance
issues. The Commission also requests [EPA–R07–OAR–2017–0513; FRL–9968–11– EPA public comment policy,
certain summary data reports that are Region 7] information about CBI or multimedia
available from the various data systems. submissions, and general guidance on
Approval of Missouri Air Quality making effective comments, please visit
Responses to the information request Implementation Plans; Infrastructure
should be submitted no later than 60 https://www2.epa.gov/dockets/
SIP Requirements for the 2012 Annual commenting-epa-dockets.
days from the date of this Order. If the Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) National
Postal Service identifies any other data FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ambient Air Quality Standard Tracey Casburn, Environmental
or information that would be helpful to
the goal of measuring cost and service AGENCY: Environmental Protection Protection Agency, Air Planning and
impacts on flats, the Postal Service Agency (EPA). Development Branch, 11201 Renner
should also submit it with the requested ACTION: Proposed rule.
Boulevard, Lenexa, Kansas 66219 at
information. (913) 551–7016, or by email at
Once the information is received and SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection casburn.tracey@epa.gov.
asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with PROPOSALS

analyzed, the Commission intends to Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This
schedule a technical conference to elements of a State Implementation Plan document proposes to take action on
review the data submitted by the Postal (SIP) revision from the State of Missouri State of Missouri Infrastructure SIP
Service and to better understand the for the 2012 Annual Fine Particulate Requirements for the 2012 Annual PM2.5
capabilities of the Postal Service’s Matter (PM2.5) National Ambient Air NAAQS. We have published a direct
systems. As explained above, the Quality Standard (NAAQS) and two final rule approving the state’s SIP
Commission intends to use information state statutes into the SIP to address the revisions in the ‘‘Rules and
provided by the Postal Service in this requirements relating to conflicts of Regulations’’ section of this Federal
proceeding to develop a detailed interest found in section 128 of the Register, because we view this as a

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Document Created: 2018-10-25 09:58:27
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 09:58:27
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		Proposed Rules
Action		Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.
Dates		Comments are due: December 4, 2017.
Contact		David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202-789-6820.
FR Citation		82 FR 47168