1.This Act may be cited as
the U.S. Postal Service Improvements
Act of 2011
.
<enum>I</enum><header>Postal Service
Improvements</header>
<section id="idB9FAA62D33824B249FDB51BDA86E8091"><enum>101.</enum><header>Transfer of
amounts from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6CAC8C1D145A4D179FE43E23BEA6CD4C"><enum>(a)</enum><header display-inline="yes-display-inline">Office of Personnel Management
determination</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than
30 days after the date of enactment of this Act and in accordance with section
802(c)(2) of the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act (5 U.S.C. 8348 note;
Public Law 109–435; 120 Stat. 3250), the Office of Personnel Management shall
make a determination or redetermination under section 8348(h) of title 5,
United States Code, consistent with the report submitted by the Postal
Regulatory Commission to the Postal Service and Congress on June 29,
2010.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="idFA0BB8681B054E98BD9E02FC21BEBF62"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Availability
for transfers</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section
8348(h)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs
(B) and (C) and inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id272092EFB3404AA1BC83168C4F6DE050" style="OLC">
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id47F9AC6BD431457E91033E21BABF04AA" indent="up2"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The Office shall redetermine the
Postal surplus or supplemental liability as of the close of the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2010, and for each year thereafter, through the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2043. If the result for a fiscal year is a surplus,
that amount shall remain in the Fund until distribution is authorized under
subparagraph (C). Beginning June 15, 2017, if the result is a supplemental
liability, the Office shall establish an amortization schedule, including a
series of annual installments commencing on September 30 of the subsequent
fiscal year, which provides for the liquidation of such liability by September
30, 2043.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC644F0FE584C42EA829DF061B3C952B9" indent="up2"><enum>(C)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idEE0A2F44CD4547DB8D6FDB36E040A4E2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>As of the close of the
fiscal years ending September 30, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016,
if the result is a surplus, that amount, or any part of that amount, may be
transferred to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id673CAC70FB0047A9A812C2166C6443B2" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>As of the close of the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2017, and each year thereafter, if the result is a
surplus, that amount, or any part of that amount, may be transferred to—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="id9DA492027B7B4946AB7E653E915ADDA6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Postal Service Retiree Health
Benefits Fund to pay any liability to the Postal Service Retiree Health
Benefits Fund; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id5CCBC23BF4F948EEAC357C7C3DB701F3"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if all liability to the Postal
Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund is paid—</text>
<item commented="no" id="idBA02847971F748E7B91A42DE17C1CA74"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the Employees' Compensation Fund
established under section 8147; or</text>
</item><item commented="no" id="id81BFCBACD85D4E3AA99E09131031F2E8"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the United States Postal Service
for the repayment of any obligation issued under section 2005 of title
39.</text>
</item></subclause></clause><clause commented="no" id="idD3551C53923B46C0A697BFB589B666D2" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any transfer under clause (i) shall
be—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="idF31E32FA78B74B3B8FCDB9BB085458A2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>made at the discretion of the Board of
Governors of the Postal Service in the amount determined by the Board of
Governors, except the amount may not exceed the amount under section
8909a(d)(3)(A) remaining to be paid for the applicable fiscal year; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id1C54E09778C649FB91BDEDADC8352A93"><enum>(II)</enum><text>credited to the Postal Service for
payment of the amount required under section 8909a(d)(3)(A) for the applicable
fiscal year.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" id="idD215C1C721CE443A91E4EED88A45F12D" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any transfer under clause (ii) shall
be—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="id2FEF745B323F43C7B4E3D56AB0D315F6"><enum>(I)</enum><text>made at the discretion of the Board of
Governors of the Postal Service in the amount determined by the Board of
Governors;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="idECF75FEDF44F4A5BBECE820BD9CC63A6"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if transferred to the Postal Service
Retiree Health Benefits Fund, credited to the Postal Service for payment of any
liability of the Postal Service to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
Fund for the applicable fiscal year; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id3A45ECB0E7A24EE68D503B289BC0CB45"><enum>(III)</enum><text>if transferred to the Employees'
Compensation Fund established under section 8147, credited to the Postal
Service for payment of any liability of the Postal Service under chapter 81 for
the applicable fiscal year.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" id="idAE6342C642FC446E9D46270AB6D563FA" indent="up1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>The Board of Governors shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="idC16F0375E420435185C9FC3B2A6C3F2E"><enum>(I)</enum><text>provide written notice to the Office
of any amount to be transferred under this clause; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id5F99E5B1256E4D17A6E2642A267371E0"><enum>(II)</enum><text>take all actions of the Board under
this clause by a majority vote.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" id="id72B4FDDD75864FE18592320854E75765" indent="up1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>The Office shall transfer any amount
determined by the Board of Governors to the credit of the Postal Service in
accordance with this
clause.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id2F27F613F988467DB740DC9CF12716D5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Postal Service
surplus or liability based on Federal Employees Retirement System
contributions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8348 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id56792C2289A94B9F87F6E919204A112F" style="OLC">
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H36A687764425E9A17B08E78BB983D13"><enum>(m)</enum><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="HBCA0364E4F1F66584B83A8809BB7FCB"><enum>(1)</enum><text>In this subsection, the
term <term>Postal surplus or supplemental liability</term> means the estimated
difference, as determined by the Office, between—</text>
<subparagraph id="HE7A2EF9B4855C5E1FAD5D6BFD81BB80" indent="up1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the actuarial present value of all
future benefits payable from the Fund under chapter 84 to current or former
employees of the United States Postal Service and attributable to civilian
employment with the United States Postal Service; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HE022ACAD4EBA002BC7FC658D4799BDF" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the sum of—</text>
<clause id="HCFD2C65C486537AA1550CCADE8DEDB8"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the actuarial present value of
deductions to be withheld from the future basic pay of employees of the United
States Postal Service currently subject to chapter 84 under section
8422;</text>
</clause><clause id="HFCA7A46147246FBAEE8A1A917884E8D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>that portion of the Fund balance,
as of the date the Postal surplus or supplemental liability is determined,
attributable to payments to the Fund by the United States Postal Service and
its employees, minus benefit payments attributable to civilian employment with
the United States Postal Service, plus the earnings on such amounts while in
the Fund; and</text>
</clause><clause id="H9627605841E4B17E26BFFCA307EDB65"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any other appropriate amount, as
determined by the Office in accordance with generally accepted actuarial
practices and principles.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD6902C8246EAB21054B66DA0CCD47E0" indent="up1"><enum>(2)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="H4F1F4D1A46F92043493800A857FB21B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The Office shall
determine the Postal surplus or supplemental liability as of the close of the
fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for each year thereafter, through
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2043. If the result for a fiscal year is a
surplus, that amount shall remain in the Fund until distribution is authorized
under subparagraph (B). Beginning June 15, 2017, if the result is a
supplemental liability, the Office shall establish an amortization schedule,
including a series of annual installments commencing on September 30 of the
subsequent fiscal year, which provides for the liquidation of such liability by
September 30, 2043.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id508634752B5F4CB5957DB10BF697D5CE" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idDFDC608B0C824D1C8A31543EB102D983"><enum>(i)</enum><text>As of the close of the
fiscal years ending September 30, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016,
if the result is a surplus, that amount, or any part of that amount, may be
transferred to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC280670142D341DC98FDDC7734CE1170" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>As of the close of the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2017, and each year thereafter, if the result is a
surplus, that amount, or any part of that amount, may be transferred to—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAB552E79481445E587CAF7EA53089B34"><enum>(I)</enum><text>the Postal Service Retiree Health
Benefits Fund to pay any liability to the Postal Service Retiree Health
Benefits Fund; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id06B236DFD05C41F1B7FA55199A6B8BF2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if all liability to the Postal
Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund is paid—</text>
<item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2EBE733981C4497DA13AD28AE46E8890"><enum>(aa)</enum><text>the Employees' Compensation Fund
established under section 8147; or</text>
</item><item commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id34CA62E0325C46BEA53401BBC133A318"><enum>(bb)</enum><text>the United States Postal Service
for the repayment of any obligation issued under section 2005 of title
39.</text>
</item></subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE924D61142FB484796EEE1D7F2724F12" indent="up1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Any transfer under clause (i) shall
be—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC9220144A9EB4FC890EF42A9D34657E9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>made at the discretion of the Board of
Governors of the Postal Service in the amount determined by the Board of
Governors, except the amount may not exceed the amount under section
8909a(d)(3)(A) remaining to be paid for the applicable fiscal year; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA22F55ABD5F744C39C0A2ECC3CF3F0B1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>credited to the Postal Service for
payment of the amount required under section 8909a(d)(3)(A) for the applicable
fiscal year.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA4330FA013D04F81AE78F2D4244DE4AD" indent="up1"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>Any transfer under clause (ii) shall
be—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6FAE4F6DF51648A48F8CCE6B24A08DD9"><enum>(I)</enum><text>made at the discretion of the Board of
Governors of the Postal Service in the amount determined by the Board of
Governors;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id4E15D6C9D4C34899A2908DF2C70DA419"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if transferred to the Postal Service
Retiree Health Benefits Fund, credited to the Postal Service for payment of any
liability of the Postal Service to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits
Fund for the applicable fiscal year; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCBC7CD38BC6F4DFAAB174F6468BDF1AF"><enum>(III)</enum><text>if transferred to the Employees'
Compensation Fund established under section 8147, credited to the Postal
Service for payment of any liability of the Postal Service under chapter 81 for
the applicable fiscal year.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF3D9B6BE40EE423E845FA30AA26EB853" indent="up1"><enum>(v)</enum><text>The Board of Governors shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id28A701AF88D140928EA3E88DA3798411"><enum>(I)</enum><text>provide written notice to the Office
of any amount to be transferred under this clause; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9C58E185A64E453893F7A877229DFD0A"><enum>(II)</enum><text>take all actions of the Board under
this clause by a majority vote.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFCF0087EBBBE44248F8C09513C9E047C" indent="up1"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>The Office shall transfer any amount
determined by the Board of Governors to the credit of the Postal Service in
accordance with this clause.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="H348B337B4F06EC672AEEBE8EE72C16F" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><text>Amortization schedules established
under this paragraph shall be set in accordance with generally accepted
actuarial practices and principles, with interest computed at the rate used in
the most recent valuation of the Civil Service Retirement System.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HD983ED9B4B5DF986C38EC497CD8BD3B" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>The United States Postal Service
shall pay the amounts so determined to the Office, with payments due not later
than the date scheduled by the Office.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HD24BA96641BEF501AB7E169530AC44D" indent="up1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, in computing the amount of any payment under any other subsection of
this section that is based upon the amount of the unfunded liability, such
payment shall be computed disregarding that portion of the unfunded liability
that the Office determines will be liquidated by payments under this
subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id41BC8AAEB0F649BDAA45C81D39BA05AE" indent="up1"><enum>(4)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id4BD825A4D8534A7784BD8E300953F0C4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The United States
Postal Service may—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id32BCE5210BE9460BADF5B5FE7262D9C6" indent="up1"><enum>(i)</enum><text>request the Postal Regulatory
Commission to procure the services of an actuary to review any determination by
the Office under this subsection; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC15016CB01304C61A58802A124C03B76" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if the Postal Regulatory Commission
does not object, procure the services of an actuary to review any determination
by the Office under this subsection.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0DEA12610289483EAC9B9C95C21D12C2" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>A review under subparagraph (A) shall
be conducted—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFCB13FC2237942AF8BCDB08B19C89E5F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>by an actuary who holds membership in
the American Academy of Actuaries and who is qualified in the evaluation of
pension obligations; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB87A62D6D4A64FC0B2412851D6929020"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>in accordance with generally accepted
actuarial practices and principles.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id08F67E664A0D4EE2BC4D68F62C4D54EE" indent="up1"><enum>(C)</enum><clause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idF4C7023E97A64F8294E69FCA598BDA11"><enum>(i)</enum><text>An actuary that
conducts a review under subparagraph (A) shall submit a report on the review to
the entity that procured the services of the actuary.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC7396F41270F4AAAAF61462565695B10" indent="up1"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>Upon receipt of a report under
clause (i), the Postal Regulatory Commission or the United States Postal
Service, as appropriate, shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8C62AD4108D443CFB3C7B6C241DC0145"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determine whether to approve the
report; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id372BF00A6FFC4634BC068F2FDFA0A523"><enum>(II)</enum><text>if the report is approved, submit the
report to the Office and to Congress, together with any comments of the Postal
Regulatory Commission or United States Postal Service.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD3A54C245A3F4A76814673F192CC7D1E" indent="up1"><enum>(D)</enum><text>Notwithstanding any other provision
of this subsection, upon submission of a report by the Postal Regulatory
Commission or United States Postal Service under subparagraph (C)(ii)(II), the
Office shall reconsider its determination or redetermination in light of such
report, and shall make any appropriate adjustments. The Office shall submit a
report containing the results of its reconsideration to the Postal Regulatory
Commission, the United States Postal Service, and
Congress.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><section id="id340E0591EA084C82BFC07AE2150DCAD7"><enum>102.</enum><header>Consideration
of postal service financial condition</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 1207(c)(2) of title 39, United
States Code, is amended by inserting <quote>The arbitration board shall
consider the financial condition of the Postal Service in rendering its
decision.</quote> after the first sentence.</text>
</section><section id="id97EB36F7780E49749A490D76CBE86DAA"><enum>103.</enum><header>Increase in
the use of negotiated service agreements</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 3622 of title 39, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC9ABF4CAEEF242EDAACC0156C4905C72" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id5C1EC707EE424585A5BA031AF46F2A73"><enum>(g)</enum><text>The Postal
Service and the Postal Regulatory Commission shall coordinate actions to
identify ways to increase the use of negotiated service agreements for market
dominant products by the Postal Service consistent with subsection
(c)(10).</text>
</subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</section><section id="idC58F1C2955814C1D8CAC337C14060D13"><enum>104.</enum><header>Area and
district field offices</header>
<subsection id="id3108E86AF6C24C2ABC02D783E7EB6138"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall
submit a comprehensive strategic plan for guiding area and district field
office structure decisions to—</text>
<paragraph id="id615E7D2518684651908B379A74A3F656"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDC8F3684D02B44CFB9175221D0331257"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id400607CE93584F51A1EBDBA6E09C9039"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The plan under subsection (a) shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id3A300F5189424FC3BA6B2EAE358C33E1"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be developed in consultation with the
Postal Regulatory Commission; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2B87B1C061EE49849EF62E79FB5AD179"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">include—</text>
<subparagraph id="id75D8BC5971064E51830BDD3E16E23603"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an assessment of the effectiveness of the
plan with respect to increasing efficiency, eliminating duplication, and
reducing unnecessary costs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id44053290EAB345D4A7BD370713B369BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a review of the field office structure of
the United States Postal Service and describe the actions to be taken by the
United States Postal Service to modify the structure based on the review;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5216D5012DF949F68615A11674B8D53A"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an examination of environmental factors,
mail volumes, technological advancements, operational considerations, and other
issues impacting the strategic goals of the United States Postal Service under
the plan.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDc70e9603bdb14985939ae651dd07ce97"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report on
Progress</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2012, the Postmaster General
shall submit a report on the progress of implementing the comprehensive
strategic plan under this section to—</text>
<paragraph id="idECB8A772A7344F689A896A6542FFB96B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFA9BE0B4499141A99170F53984324DB1"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id49F280A8E6974BE881F9A5BD5EBEC00A"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Updated
plans</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2015, and each 5 years
thereafter, the United States Postal Service, in consultation with the Postal
Regulatory Commission, shall submit an updated comprehensive strategic plan
under this section to—</text>
<paragraph id="id34BBD58B7F0B4FBAB036E905EEA9C718"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4D4BE6BDC354CB697151E6B9386B54C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id93C242B16C5B4E088BDC32C27FB7A497"><enum>105.</enum><header>Co-location of
post offices at retail facilities</header>
<subsection id="id9DCD8D7B46DA415E881B18D28C6AEFB0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 90
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Postmaster General shall
submit a plan on the co-location of post offices at retail facilities
to—</text>
<paragraph id="idE18144F206684CCA9090CD41641C48F6"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99B7CB0721544E93A5474D80A15125E7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id16E9B3AE58314D0B8C997A51D57B41E3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The plan under subsection (a) shall—</text>
<paragraph id="idECD541BCC41448169FF312261B1D6E7A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be developed in consultation with the
Postal Regulatory Commission;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idAFBC307BF72F4D35BF87571E30FF979A"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide for an increase in the co-location
of post offices at retail facilities, which could supplement, rather than
supplant, the services of independent post offices, and enable the United
States Postal Service to offer its products and services at those
locations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDa562ac51bc21459487f33dbd7fa2c4ab"><enum>(3)</enum><text>consider the
impact of any co-location decisions on small communities and rural areas before
taking actions to co-locate post offices; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE87F564EDD7141539598BE4BF3478F10"><enum>(4)</enum><text>ensure
that—</text>
<subparagraph id="idDBB56DD7399746F3941CBDD30113409F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>service shall
continue in small communities and rural areas after implementation of the
plan;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8FF23F9F43D1410DA51440A36D192D9A"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the United States
Postal Service solicits community input before making decisions about
co-location; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4CFF78536A414BF2B22AD4D55D958536"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the quality of
products and services offered in co-located facilities are consistent with
those offered in post offices.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id11649C1EC00544E0A02E0F7F4D6315E3"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Report on
Progress</header><text>Not later than January 1, 2012, the Postmaster General
shall submit a report on the progress of implementing the plan on the
co-location of post offices at retail facilities under this section to—</text>
<paragraph id="id201681FB088545EAB58B3710D038710A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idECBD7AB389BB4DD5B7DF8F69D0996F0F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3B51B7500F3C42D8945D95FD1A8C8107"><enum>106.</enum><header>Annual report
on United States mailing industry</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD90D406093A845AEA3684238C54A5B48"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
General</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than
November 1 of the year following the date of enactment of this Act, and each
year thereafter, the Postal Regulatory Commission shall submit a report on the
fiscal stability of the United States mailing industry with respect to the
preceding fiscal year to—</text>
<paragraph id="idDF363B41193F4AA28A33D4C1C8F6664A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the Committee on
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6183B3C4E7C44837AD2EE8989A478F74"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2979CA2C9DD049C18E780629FE168774"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Assistance</header><text>The
United States Postal Service and any Federal agency involved in oversight or
data collection regarding relevant industry sectors shall provide any
assistance to the Postal Regulatory Commission that the Postal Regulatory
Commission determines is necessary in the preparation of any report under this
section.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="ID60e0043cfec3493f9d47f471299fad00"><enum>107.</enum><header>Notice and
comment for significant changes to mailing specifications</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="id015A48A6927940BAAC1D3B2662FA00A6"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Rulemaking
required</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the United States Postal Service
shall, after notice and the opportunity for comment, issue rules requiring
that, before making a change to mailing specifications that could pose a
significant burden to the customers of the United States Postal Service and
that is not reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission, the United States
Postal Service shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="IDd0843bf405ac4c02ac4dac3d4bbdb936"><enum>(1)</enum><text>publish the
proposed change in the Federal Register not later than 30 days before the
effective date of the proposed change;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDd28a2bafc807444e8658205a0d6d582f"><enum>(2)</enum><text>solicit, and
respond in writing to, comments on the proposed change; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID7fa495cf663d44a698ffb90d7101544e"><enum>(3)</enum><text>analyze the
financial impact that the proposed change would have on the United States
Postal Service and the customers of the United States Postal Service that are
affected by the proposed change.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id65FF295620894C3E8AF24074AC14AE34"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Comments on
definitions</header><text>In issuing the rules under subsection (a), the United
States Postal Service shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idD1EF61A350794390A2CFAF9EC8AC672A"><enum>(1)</enum><text>specifically
solicit comments on the appropriate definitions of the terms <term>mailing
specifications</term> and <term>significant burden</term>; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idAB4ED59DD6494C968FF3CE17F71EF98B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>specifically
respond to each comment received under paragraph (1) before issuing final
rules.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Postal
contracting provisions</header>
<section id="idEC6DB8D0B18F478CA8D3ECDB33C83B7E"><enum>201.</enum><header>Contracting
provisions</header>
<subsection id="id8AC9D16A0825420D887C63A658194C2E"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Part I of title 39, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:</text>
<toc>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="chapter">“Chapter 7—Contracting
Provisions</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“Sec.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“701. Definitions.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“702. Advocate for
competition.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“703. Delegation of contracting
authority.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“704. Posting of noncompetitive
purchase requests for noncompetitive contracts.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“705. Review of ethical
issues.</toc-entry>
<toc-entry bold="off" level="section">“706. Ethical restrictions on
participation in certain contracting activity.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id219EB7229A794250AD158593D42C9963" style="USC">
<section id="id55D2EB3869B04826B1E5252E2942C3A6"><enum>701.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this chapter—</text>
<paragraph id="id398D609ECB864499BDDC3F996DE4B464"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>contracting officer</term>
means an employee of a covered postal entity who has authority to enter into a
postal contract;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idBE8CEB5598CF4C2DA42AC6BA52EAA3E6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>covered postal entity</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="id65FD97332A104127B0992E5A4D450D03"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the United States
Postal Service; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idDB4F010AB214414D9BF0370DA1A8CD42"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Postal
Regulatory Commission;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id05957458A0694FFFABB4B5FE42EC5397"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term
<term>head of a covered postal entity</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="idD979C09B7DB14A2891E1718B82923768"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in the case of
the United States Postal Service, the Postmaster General; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE25CB331595649A9A0F935B64A41965C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>in the case of
the Postal Regulatory Commission, the Chairman of the Postal Regulatory
Commission;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id3BE606A831034570BC8A8D384CCFD37B"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>postal contract</term> means
any contract (including any agreement or memorandum of understanding) entered
into by a covered postal entity for the procurement of goods or services;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id43A0F6032CA54E948842894B255FEB60"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the term
<term>senior procurement executive</term> means the senior procurement
executive of a covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="idF0A27E1A41454AB791910446341BBA3B"><enum>702.</enum><header>Advocate for
competition</header>
<subsection id="id6934267CD9FC4DC686FEB9BD24A92F21"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment
and designation</header>
<paragraph id="IDb18502221fe0476781d9ef4fd007906a"><enum>(1)</enum><text>There is
established in each covered postal entity an advocate for competition.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc438a12cfeb0445a80d8a9a964d1c41d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The head of each
covered postal entity shall designate for the covered postal entity 1 or more
officers or employees (other than the senior procurement executive) to serve as
the advocate for competition.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idE8216A5FC5E6465F9C4C12F8454781D6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Responsibilities</header><text>The
advocate for competition of each covered postal entity shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID697f994d78f546939c6bc03bc569bd1b"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be responsible
for promoting competition to the maximum extent practicable consistent with
obtaining best value by promoting the acquisition of commercial items and
challenging barriers to competition;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb2f88c5725c54bd9a803c94b68dffda5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>review the
procurement activities of the covered postal entity; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID75c47a68c8584b5da5d57d653e4bd8d2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>prepare and
transmit to the head of each covered postal entity, the senior procurement
executive of each covered postal entity, the Board of Governors of the United
States Postal Service, and Congress, an annual report describing—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID9cc0b15d99614dd3908bef0544b72ac8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the activities of
the advocate under this section;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID374978474376464895e8d12cbcbf6ad1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>initiatives
required to promote competition;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID2749fd4f237b40bba04dc41014282510"><enum>(C)</enum><text>barriers to
competition that remain; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id75CAB8CCB6F44509804A239B9946B4BB"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the number of
waivers made by each covered postal entity under section 704(c).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id55B631813DBD4482B6259C47D2EC42AB"><enum>703.</enum><header>Delegation of
contracting authority</header>
<subsection id="id4BDC2C931042463CB456EE6080D9784F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<paragraph id="id99A4DC5C28E54CDAAF62DA034DE6E48D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Policy</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of the <short-title>U.S. Postal Service
Improvements Act of 2011</short-title>, the head of each covered postal entity
shall issue a policy on contracting officer delegations of authority for the
covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCBCCC06EE67E43E89F9C03DF3A26B5AE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The policy issued under paragraph (1) shall
require that—</text>
<subparagraph id="idF9637DE9AFD84E979950F877E752B095"><enum>(A)</enum><text>notwithstanding
any delegation of authority with respect to postal contracts, the ultimate
responsibility and accountability for the award and administration of postal
contracts resides with the senior procurement executive; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id81BB71B8B9A94E6881583BEB2B420A7E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>a contracting
officer shall maintain an awareness of and engagement in the activities being
performed on postal contracts of which that officer has cognizance,
notwithstanding any delegation of authority that may have been executed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7DE7661A9EAC4805B31A0896A98C7663"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Posting of
delegations</header>
<paragraph id="idF1E50C38AFD341C28E4316839E38FF20"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The head of each covered postal entity shall make any
delegation of authority for postal contracts outside the functional contracting
unit readily available and accessible on the Web site of the covered postal
entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idFA4F4C7FC0C247AB80A11128756BE719"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>This paragraph shall apply to any delegation of authority
made on or after 30 days after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>U.S. Postal Service Improvements Act of
2011</short-title>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idC863C934B96842DB8E8D88C0822F14DB"><enum>704.</enum><header>Posting of
noncompetitive purchase requests for noncompetitive contracts</header>
<subsection id="id49195F16F5D84DF38752E71B3C7FA51A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Posting
required</header>
<paragraph id="id0B1775402F70414B8AB36F25457A741A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Postal
Regulatory Commission</header><text>The Postal Regulatory Commission shall make
the noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award, including the
rationale supporting the noncompetitive award, publicly available on the Web
site of the Postal Regulatory Commission—</text>
<subparagraph id="idBB68D2ECE90343538DF5E6333F8F075C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not later than 14
days after the date of the award of the noncompetitive contract; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id900CD1E4D52F436B923C39F412CDA7EB"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not later than 30
days after the date of the award of the noncompetitive contract, if the basis
for the award was a compelling business interest.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDf9822927f29243b08ed37b5d389770d1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>United States
Postal Service</header><text>The United States Postal Service shall make the
noncompetitive purchase request for any noncompetitive award of a postal
contract valued at $250,000 or more, including the rationale supporting the
noncompetitive award, publicly available on the Web site of the United States
Postal Service—</text>
<subparagraph id="idCFAE39234AAE416C97CF6F8B6D3ECCDC"><enum>(A)</enum><text>not later than 14
days after the date of the award; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3B12C84090C241D8B62D172D32613AD4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>not later than 30
days after the date of the award, if the basis for the award was a compelling
business interest.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDd82dd1fe0ec34ed29f318f3991c532d9"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Adjustments to
the posting threshold for the United States Postal Service</header>
<subparagraph id="idF7BE9DEFC6324003A2FDA55F1B0BE466"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Review and
determination</header><text>Not later than January 31 of each year, the United
States Postal Service shall—</text>
<clause id="idF94D49F2FFE84607A6E0F4F4A067F032"><enum>(i)</enum><text>review the
$250,000 threshold established under paragraph (2); and</text>
</clause><clause id="idC9C4ECF3B47043B0AE771C8F89E2FDA5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>based on any
change in the Consumer Price Index for all-urban consumers of the Department of
Labor, determine whether an adjustment to the threshold shall be made.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7BF270F9B0134F6999765029DA50B176"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Amount of
adjustments</header><text>An adjustment under subparagraph (A) shall be made in
increments of $5,000. If the United States Postal Service determines that a
change in the Consumer Price Index for a year would require an adjustment in an
amount that is less than $5,000, the United States Postal Service may not make
an adjustment to the threshold for the year.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDd60c38c14baf46d486cc7da412f5b5c6"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text>This subsection shall apply to any noncompetitive contract
awarded on or after the date that is 90 days after the date of enactment of the
<short-title>U.S. Postal Service Improvements Act of
2011</short-title>.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id781F98D7507C4027BF38F77FBEBC92B7"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Public
availability</header>
<paragraph id="idED9D50BD1DA9480DBFCCEA33CAF2AA1A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), the information required to be
made publicly available by a covered postal entity under subsection (a) shall
be readily accessible on the Web site of the covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF613D5826ED94BE88EA8C28D472FC8A5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Protection of
proprietary information</header><text>A covered postal entity shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="idC8F3CCB3CAF34F4B9D855216AD6B58D1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>carefully screen
any description of the rationale supporting a noncompetitive award required to
be made publicly available under subsection (a) to determine whether the
description includes proprietary data (including any reference or citation to
the proprietary data) or security-related information; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idABB02BF9CF204E8BBE0F888423F820B3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>remove any
proprietary data or security-related information before making publicly
available a description of the rational supporting a noncompetitive
award.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID84777768cfc5487093de4b6c0ee20478"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Waivers</header>
<paragraph id="ID1379d2011f524f6887ba21eae9ad39ec"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Waiver
permitted</header><text>If a covered postal entity determines that making a
noncompetitive purchase request publicly available would risk placing the
United States Postal Service at a competitive disadvantage relative to a
private sector competitor, the senior procurement executive, in consultation
with the advocate for competition of the covered postal entity, may waive the
requirements under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6ede0aa2d8c34c988bf4d76e27e40cba"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Form and
content of waiver</header>
<subparagraph id="id30452F58E90F4440870BB8A0F9FAB9A9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Form</header><text>A
waiver under paragraph (1) shall be in the form of a written determination
placed in the file of the contract to which the noncompetitive purchase
agreement relates.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC03B9688AD964794A6D2DBBDC45A0185"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Content</header><text>A
waiver under paragraph (1) shall include—</text>
<clause id="id53686030244D4BC584CA55E927C3A42F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>a
description of the risk associated with making the noncompetitive purchase
request publicly available; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idFFFB0A5DE7694F649342A44EEC336B3F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a statement that
redaction of sensitive information in the noncompetitive purchase request would
not be sufficient to protect the United States Postal Service from being placed
at a competitive disadvantage relative to a private sector competitor.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID3fed9e3435af456c9900d460f3004df7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Delegation of
waiver authority</header><text>A covered postal entity may not delegate the
authority to approve a waiver under paragraph (1) to any employee having less
authority than the senior procurement executive.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id181786A70B1C4E11891505571B501BC7"><enum>705.</enum><header>Review of
ethical issues</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If a
contracting officer identifies any ethical issues relating to a proposed
contract and submits those issues and that proposed contract to the designated
ethics official for the covered postal entity before the awarding of that
contract, that ethics official shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id93D09CB3FB8A4835B62B78E501FC59C1"><enum>(1)</enum><text>review the
proposed contract; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idCCFCF2A8E36A4FDF81577349B5963282"><enum>(2)</enum><text>advise the
contracting officer on the appropriate resolution of ethical issues.</text>
</paragraph></section><section id="idA44E26939B484F92BD19395D4A4B7833"><enum>706.</enum><header>Ethical
restrictions on participation in certain contracting activity</header>
<subsection id="id3DF1AB2797974CD18E9BC15892E20FD2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this section—</text>
<paragraph id="idD45F7B65F2EF4021BD9332ED3B67AD98"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>covered employee</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph id="id05B0E53BA8D84FD0B98508200D39C828"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a contracting
officer; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5859313C61F541B39E4FB88D0D22A002"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any employee of a
covered postal entity whose decisionmaking affects a postal contract as
determined by regulations prescribed by the head of a covered postal
entity;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id998AC5A9CD9A401795B4FED03DDB5ABF"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the term
<term>final conviction</term> means a conviction, whether entered on a verdict
or plea, including a plea of nolo contendere, for which a sentence has been
imposed; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID502c63a94da8439388619e968be6923a"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the term
<term>covered relationship</term> means a covered relationship described in
section 2635.502(b)(1) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor thereto.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID9058a564a1324c018a230c716b48acf3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>In
general</header>
<paragraph id="id0B42F4C7ACE04D1394F4C8AAFEB0B5C6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
head of each covered postal entity shall prescribe regulations that—</text>
<subparagraph id="id8C15CAE6A9C3493B85803D0F5AFC43F1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>require a covered
employee to include in the file of any noncompetitive purchase request for a
noncompetitive postal contract a written certification that—</text>
<clause id="id2AF9A79C8CA74E40ABE6838F94F7BDD2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>discloses any
covered relationship of the covered employee; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id66CC1D27311941968D9C597EFB574430"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the covered
employee will not take any action with respect to the noncompetitive purchase
request that affects the financial interests of a friend, relative, or person
with whom the covered employee is affiliated in a nongovernmental capacity, or
otherwise gives rise to an appearance of the use of public office for private
gain, as described in section 2635.702 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations,
or any successor thereto;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID10c698fd7bf34d18b4a5a0b0e04a6a05"><enum>(B)</enum><text>require a
contracting officer to consult with the ethics counsel for the covered postal
entity regarding any disclosure made by a covered employee under subparagraph
(A)(i), to determine whether participation by the covered employee in the
noncompetitive purchase request would give rise to a violation of part 2635 of
title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as the
<term>Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive
Branch</term>);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id36316C5706FF46B7B72AB127A26BC983"><enum>(C)</enum><text>require the
ethics counsel for a covered postal entity to review any disclosure made by a
contracting officer under subparagraph (A)(i) to determine whether
participation by the contracting officer in the noncompetitive purchase request
would give rise to a violation of part 2635 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations (commonly referred to as the <term>Standards of Ethical Conduct for
Employees of the Executive Branch</term>), or any successor thereto;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5092F183C7FE43C8B70E83081894FD48"><enum>(D)</enum><text>under subsections
(d) and (e) of section 2635.50 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor thereto, require the ethics counsel for a covered postal entity
to—</text>
<clause id="id0C2089C198AA466BAE8E16ADBC5E0664"><enum>(i)</enum><text>authorize a
covered employee that makes a disclosure under subparagraph (A)(i) to
participate in the noncompetitive postal contract; or</text>
</clause><clause id="id64C912D7CA6E4C67A8131115CA12E29F"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>disqualify a
covered employee that makes a disclosure under subparagraph (A)(i) from
participating in the noncompetitive postal contract;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID5d0cef0ec76d4536815808a0ce9fbc69"><enum>(E)</enum><text>require a
contractor to timely disclose to the contracting officer in a bid,
solicitation, award, or performance of a postal contract any conflict of
interest with a covered employee; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd30bc9f39e5647f7abb36a3fb6c812e5"><enum>(F)</enum><text>include authority
for the head of the covered postal entity to a grant a waiver or otherwise
mitigate any organizational or personal conflict of interest, if the head of
the covered postal entity determines that the waiver or mitigation is in the
best interests of the Postal Service.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id3637874FC7954294B7E6EBEA2702316D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Posting of
waivers</header><text>Not later than 30 days after the head of a covered postal
entity grants a waiver described in paragraph (1)(F), the head of the covered
postal entity shall make the waiver publicly available on the Web site of the
covered postal entity.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID04009d56ca62464587aa0ac200ada8d5"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Contract
voidance and recovery</header>
<paragraph id="idBF6BAD42E25E4097AE8338C7C3600FF7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Unlawful
conduct</header><text>In any case in which there is a final conviction for a
violation of any provision of chapter 11 of title 18 relating to a postal
contract, the head of a covered postal entity may—</text>
<subparagraph id="id818B1A4C95834D4582EA035D8C19ECAD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>void that
contract; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7FC26463CFFE4F32BDAF18A2251D97B8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>recover the
amounts expended and property transferred by the covered postal entity under
that contract.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9C2A16B2C5F340499764135DD320C930"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Obtaining or
disclosing procurement information</header>
<subparagraph id="id97310B5E3080402E8E764FBDEF06B5DB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In any case where a contractor under a postal contract
fails to timely disclose a conflict of interest to the appropriate contracting
officer as required under the regulations promulgated under subsection
(b)(1)(D), the head of a covered postal entity may—</text>
<clause id="idBEFEAD2704314C59B14B8B81C5F13871"><enum>(i)</enum><text>void that
contract; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id9670F6FF724F4C8EADD9DB2D3255D1E5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>recover the
amounts expended and property transferred by the covered postal entity under
that contract.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idE907547DFABD455F8FED567013E8BEFD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Conviction or
administrative determination</header><text>A case described under subparagraph
(A) is any case in which—</text>
<clause id="id93A383902D1546D7B162F640137B3CE9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>there is a final
conviction for an offense punishable under section 27(e) of the Office of
Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 423(e)); or</text>
</clause><clause id="id11716ED1A6724B94BF084296E178CC7D"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the head of a
covered postal entity determines, based upon a preponderance of the evidence,
that the contractor or someone acting for the contractor has engaged in conduct
constituting an offense punishable under section 27(e) of that
Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection><subsection id="id754EA1581150452FAA754DCB7E3C3D72"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of chapters for part I of title
39, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB43EBE8C6C4E4EDF9EB1A118FA3FAE9B" style="OLC">
<toc>
<multi-column-toc-entry bold="off" level="chapter"><toc-enum>7.
</toc-enum><level-header level="chapter">Contracting
Provisions</level-header><target>701</target></multi-column-toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Federal Workers
Compensation Reforms for Retirement Eligible Employees</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID77F121C92EF94A9A821849E7F3393CB3" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>301.</enum><header>Federal Workers
Compensation Reforms for Retirement Eligible Employees</header>
<subsection id="id65D20FF41DF94C03BF48A4C94C3962BA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Transition to
retirement</header>
<paragraph id="idA3FAB5E99C3A4B8F8CA13DBB6D159C55"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 8106 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id61B4535E6C004719B6FC201DBA717F1A" style="USC">
<section id="id95F4AA20CAF740E4A0E7BF2095C08E6C"><enum>8106a.</enum><header>Transition
to retirement </header>
<subsection id="id69A4E99042AD4298A17A3731D6085F55"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section—</text>
<paragraph id="id88C1A1AD9C464B85BDE29769F055CCF3"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the term
<term>covered employee</term> means an employee who—</text>
<subparagraph id="id0C2F872810804D45BDECF801B0529D10"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is paid
compensation under section 8105 or 8106; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2F1127B03F68480EBD1EA7277CC2C362"><enum>(B)</enum><text>on or after
attaining retirement age is eligible for an annuity under chapter 83 or 84
(other than a survivor annuity); and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idBBEBD84E3C91486095CA016E88EE86FE"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the term <term>retirement age</term> has
the meaning given under section 216(l)(1) of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social Security Act</act-name> (42 U.S.C.
416(l)(1)).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB2DE227AD6194F35961AF96AC47104BD"><enum>(b)</enum><text>Notwithstanding
any other provision of this chapter, the payment of compensation under section
8105 or 8106 to a covered employee shall terminate on the date that the covered
employee—</text>
<paragraph id="id21A6D43C795C4BFEAE3DF0D9401E2F8E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>attains
retirement age and is eligible for an annuity under chapter 83 or 84 (other
than a survivor annuity); or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA83B03BBBF264AD297CB6D0F6AF2D357"><enum>(2)</enum><text>after attaining
retirement age becomes eligible for an annuity under chapter 83 or 84 (other
than a survivor annuity).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id916A87B2F3F846C0A31519F5F07D5BC4"><enum>(c)</enum><text>Not later than 1
year before the date that a covered employee attains retirement age or
subsequently becomes eligible for an annuity under chapter 83 or 84 (other than
a survivor annuity), the Secretary of Labor shall provide notice of this
section to—</text>
<paragraph id="id93AEE102E3AA4511B9A480BF346D22FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the covered
employee;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF2770F03C70D4147ABEC029DD10D5CA2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the employing
agency of that covered employee; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id14C5AD31763141A8947E2788D1B5AF31"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Office of
Personnel Management.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id95AD02322EBD488F858CCB93879C6357"><enum>(d)</enum><text>The employing
agency of a covered employee shall file an application for an annuity with the
Office of Personnel Management in accordance with section 8352 or
8471.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEC31A4A276DD4F12BA5D3A4F8588A56F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 81 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8106 the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="id7A7222F413854CD89C9BD40CB19F6710" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 8106a. Transition to
retirement.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD59BA0B7CAFC4E96B79BFC00652ABC47"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Filing of
applications</header>
<paragraph id="id4F4A1715F7AB44D9965AD99F6CC8A834"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Civil Service
Retirement System</header>
<subparagraph id="idD6806BACC99F4C27B2C04E9BAA0C78F9"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 8351 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5FA8B2A3724D4100A692BB6026E8E38A" style="USC">
<section id="id63EE9D783ADE433B93342FE0DCF6FE4B"><enum>8352.</enum><header>Employees
transitioning from workers compensation </header>
<subsection id="id0E17A62967554BE0BEB00454C2505423"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>covered
employee</term> means an employee who is a covered employee as defined under
section 8106a(a)(1) and is eligible for an annuity under this chapter.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id0F4B9AFB7D7F44538A4C5DD1C98F24CE"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applications</header><text>Not
later than 1 year before the date of the termination of payments of
compensation under section 8106a(b) to a covered employee who is eligible for
an annuity under this chapter, the employing agency of that covered employee
shall file an application for an annuity for that covered employee under this
chapter with the Office of Personnel Management.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idFD0A534CD8E548098BC24543DD76E897"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to carry out this
section.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1557C88DE1C342B9AE6FCB1B2DBDAEC1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 83 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8351 the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="id355A908375F84415960505B3BD20A190" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 8352. Employees transitioning from
workers
compensation.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDf77e0e925cef4fa78529fe508dd3dbe8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Federal
Employees Retirement System</header>
<subparagraph id="id7276AD05B48B42CAA150AE12F2F3E8FF"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Chapter 84 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after section 8470 the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4F93470E464B4B68838BD07A68026343" style="USC">
<section id="idC68D32A0E6A944BBA6224F1CAD20D409"><enum>8471.</enum><header>Employees
transitioning from workers compensation </header>
<subsection id="id4949A22FE6AB456CA3316006DCA1AFF8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In this section, the term <term>covered
employee</term> means an employee who is a covered employee as defined under
section 8106a(a)(1) and is eligible for an annuity under this chapter.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id29AD0D9E346B4521A830BC9C7D038A72"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Applications</header><text>Not
later than 1 year before the date of the termination of payments of
compensation under section 8106a(b) to a covered employee who is eligible for
an annuity under this chapter, the employing agency of that covered employee
shall file an application for an annuity for that covered employee under this
chapter with the Office of Personnel Management.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idC6539102E2A648798696A6E68FFBADAB"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The
Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe regulations to carry out this
section.</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID1440e90ab61b468fb05e0141d787b2a7"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Technical and
conforming amendment</header><text>The table of sections for chapter 84 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to
section 8456 the following:</text>
<quoted-block id="ida0c25dec-fa20-460c-a7ad-05c8c086476c" style="USC">
<toc>
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 8471. Employees transitioning from
workers
compensation.</toc-entry>
</toc>
<after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idEC0F07FC426245D78140FC09EED84115"><enum>302.</enum><header>Regulations</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Labor, after consultation with the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall prescribe regulations to
carry out this title.</text>
</section><section id="id4A123A6F9A6148E0A7A571286FEE71BC"><enum>303.</enum><header>Effective
date</header>
<subsection id="id9C53D2C6D0FA45B5946815DB57B96E37"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided under subsection (b), this title
(including the amendments made by this tile) shall take effect on the date of
enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id6694C79DBF6F47CCA015ABFADEA276BD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination of
compensation</header><text>Section 8106a(b) of title 5, United States Code, (as
added by section 301 of this Act) shall take effect 1 year after the date
regulations are prescribed under section 302.</text>
</subsection></section>