[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63062-63063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30069]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL SERVICE


Privacy Act of 1974, System of Records

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of new system of records.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purposes of this document are to publish notice of a 
change in the title to grouping of records 030.000 Equal Employment 
Opportunity to read ``030.000 Equal Employment Opportunity/Alternative 
Dispute Resolution'' and to publish notice of a new Privacy Act system 
of records under that grouping, USPS 030.040, Equal Employment 
Opportunity/Alternative Dispute Resolution-Roster of Alternative 
Dispute Resolution Providers. The change in title more accurately 
reflects the types of records covered by this group. The new system 
contains the names and addresses of alternative dispute resolution 
providers such as mediators, who express an interest by completing a 
survey regarding their dispute resolution experience.

DATES: Any interested party may submit written comments on the proposed 
new system of records. This proposal will become effective without 
further notice on December 28, 1999, unless comments received on or 
before that date result in a contrary determination.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on this proposal should be mailed or 
delivered to Administration and FOIA, United States Postal Service, 475 
L'Enfant Plaza SW, Room 8141, Washington, DC 20260-5202. Copies of all 
written comments will be available at the above address for public 
inspection and photocopying between 8 a.m. and 4:45 p.m., Monday 
through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rubenia Carter (202) 268-4872.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Postal Service is proposing to use 
independent contractors to resolve disputes including, but not limited 
to, EEO and Merit Systems Protection Board administrative cases. A 
roster will be maintained by the Postal Service of prequalified 
providers to select from to handle disputes. To be placed on the 
roster, an applicant must first complete an Alternative Dispute 
Resolution (ADR) Provider Survey. The survey will be screened to 
determine if the applicant meets the minimum criteria for mediating 
Postal Service cases. The survey requires an applicant to provide his 
or her previous mediator, arbitrator or other dispute resolution 
experience, education, and other required information. A waiver of the 
minimum criteria may be given to applicants on a limited basis at the 
sole discretion of the Postal Service. Applicants who fail to meet the 
minimum criteria and are not granted a waiver are disqualified for 
mediating disputes.
    Maintenance of these records is not expected to have a significant 
effect on individual privacy rights. Information kept is limited to the 
name and address and other information requested on the survey 
questionnaire. The information will be kept in a secured environment, 
with automated data processing (ADP) physical and administrative 
security and technical software applied to information on computer 
media. Computers and hard copy records are maintained in a secured 
environment. To the extent that the information may be shared with 
another federal agency, it is shared with the understanding that the 
information will be maintained and protected in accordance with the 
Privacy Act.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(11), interested persons are invited to 
submit written data, views, or arguments on this proposal. A report on 
the following proposed system has been sent to Congress and to the 
Office of Management and Budget for their evaluation.
USPS 030.040

SYSTEM NAME:
    Equal Employment Opportunity/Alternative Dispute Resolution-Roster 
of Alternative Dispute Resolution Providers, 030.040.

SYSTEM LOCATION:
    Law Department, Postal Service Headquarters, and field offices; 
area and district offices.

CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    Individuals and organizations interested in providing Alternative 
Dispute Resolution (ADR) services to all disputes except those arising 
under Postal Service collective bargaining agreements.

CATEGORIES OF RECORDS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM:
    Name, address, telephone, and fax numbers of alternative dispute 
resolution providers; education, certification status, special 
qualifications; types of disputes mediated; partnering agreements; 
evaluation as a neutral; billing information; and any other 
correspondence relating to the individual performance or information 
contained on the survey.

AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM:
    39 U.S.C. 401.

PURPOSE(S):
    Used to determine an individual's qualifications to provide ADR 
services.

ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES 
OF USERS AND THE PURPOSE OF SUCH USES:
    General routine use statements a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, j, k, l, and 
m listed in the prefatory statement at the beginning of the Postal 
Service's published system notices apply to this system. Another 
routine use follows:
    1. To another federal agency upon request who needs the names and/
or addresses and other information about ADR providers to arrange for 
or manage ADR proceedings for that agency.

POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, 
AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM:
STORAGE:
    Paper records are maintained in locked file cabinets and computer 
files on magnetic tape or disk in automated office equipment.

RETRIEVABILITY:
    By ADR provider's name.

SAFEGUARDS:
    Paper records are kept in locked file cabinets; automated data are 
password-protected.

RETENTION AND DISPOSAL:
    Files of active ADR providers: Cutoff file upon notification of 
decertification or removal. Destroy one year from date of cutoff. Files 
of rejected ADR providers: Cutoff file at end of year in which survey 
was received from prospective ADR provider. Maintain file for one year 
after cutoff date.

SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL 
COUNSEL, LAW DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE, 475 L'ENFANT 
PLAZA SW, WASHINGTON DC 20260-1100
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE:
    Individuals wanting to know whether information about them is 
maintained in this system of records must address inquiries to the 
system manager. Inquiries must contain full name and address of the 
individual and date the survey was completed.

[[Page 63063]]

RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES:
    Requests for access must be made in accordance with notification 
procedure above and the Postal Service Privacy Act regulations 
regarding access to records and verification of identity under 39 CFR 
266.6.

CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES:
    See Notification and Record Access Procedures above.

RECORDS SOURCE CATEGORIES:
    Information is received from ADR provider completing survey.
Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 99-30069 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P