SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On April 7, 2023, the Commission established Docket No. PI2023-3 to explore commenters' claims that the First-Class Package Service (FCPS) product may not be correctly classified as a Competitive product.^[1] Although the FCPS product has since been subsumed into the USPS Ground Advantage product, the Commission continues to receive comments in other dockets questioning whether certain Competitive parcel-shaped products, or segments thereof, should be classified as Market Dominant products.^[2] In this docket, the Commission issues a Notice of Inquiry to afford all interested persons an opportunity to provide additional material on relevant classification issues.

The Commission concludes that commenters' claims regarding the proper classification of certain parcel-shaped products, or segments thereof, have not been fully developed in this docket or in other pertinent dockets. Moreover, the Commission finds it appropriate to expand this inquiry regarding the classification of the now-defunct FCPS product to encompass other Competitive parcel-shaped products. FCPS has been subsumed into the expanded USPS Ground Advantage product, and commenters have also expressed concerns about the classification of other products or product segments since this docket was opened. Moreover, the comments received in response to Order No. 6479 identified originating and destinating addresses in which the former FCPS product may not face effective competition,^[3] but those concerns could extend to other Competitive parcel products sent between those locations.

To ensure that the Commission has complete information to decide whether the transfer of some or all of a parcel product from the Competitive to the Market Dominant product list may be warranted,^[4] the Commission invites interested parties to provide comments and supporting material on relevant issues, particularly addressing the questions set forth in the Notice. The Notice also includes questions directed only to the Postal Service. Respondents are urged to fully support their respective positions with quantitative information. Responses may be filed under seal as applicable.^[5]

Comments are due 60 days from publication of this Notice in the Federal Register . Material filed in this docket will be available for review on the Commission's website, https://www.prc.gov. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller will continue to serve as designated officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.

It is ordered:

1. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller will continue to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in this docket.

2. Comments on the topics set forth in this Notice are due 60 days from the date of publication of this Notice in the Federal Register .

3. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice, or abstract thereof, in the Federal Register .

90 FR 41602