SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On January 15, 2021, the Commission established this proceeding to seek public input regarding any additional regulations that may be necessary to achieve the objectives of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (PAEA) ^[1] over the longer-term, particularly for issues such as “maximizing incentives to increase efficiency and reduce costs, maintaining high-quality service standards, and assuring financial stability (including retained earnings).” ^[2] The Commission established April 15, 2021, and May 17, 2021, as the deadlines for filing comments and reply comments, respectively. Order No. 5816 at 15.

On March 23, 2021, the Postal Service published a ten-year plan announcing potential changes intended to achieve financial stability and service excellence.^[3] On April 1, 2021, the National Association of Presort Mailers (NAPM) filed a request for an extension of the deadline for initial comments in this proceeding.^[4] NAPM raises three reasons in support of its Request, which are generally premised on recent developments resulting from the potential changes announced in the Postal Service's Plan. See Request at 1-2. First, NAPM asserts that it would be premature to discuss the issues raised in this proceeding without a fuller understanding of the potential changes announced in the Postal Service's Plan. See id. Second, NAPM observes that commenters may face difficulties in providing effective comments on issues related to the maintenance of high-quality service standards by the established deadline because the Postal Service also recently announced plans to reduce service standards for First-Class Mail and Periodicals.^[5] Third, noting that the Postal Service has recently initiated five proceedings in which mailing association stakeholders intend to participate,^[6] NAPM requests that the Commission consider how the resources of commenters affect their ability to meaningfully respond to multiple filing deadlines. See Request at 2.

The Association of Postal Commerce (PostCom) and the Public Representative support this Request.^[7] PostCom agrees with NAPM's assessment of the recent developments. PostCom Statement at 1. The Public Representative asserts that extending both the initial and reply comment deadlines would allow interested persons to better evaluate the advisability of adopting a performance incentive mechanism and the structure of such a mechanism in light of the Postal Service's recently announced service changes. Public Representative Response at 1.

Given the recent developments, this requested extension is reasonable and does not prejudice any party. Therefore, the Request is granted.

Comments are due July 14, 2021. Reply comments are due August 13, 2021.

It is ordered:

1. The Request for Extension of Initial Comments Deadline, filed on April 1, 2021, is granted.

2. Interested persons may submit comments no later than July 14, 2021.

3. Interested persons may submit reply comments no later than August 13, 2021.

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

86 FR 19173