[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 113 (Tuesday, June 12, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 31829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-14749]



  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 113 / Tuesday, June 12, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 31829]]


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POSTAL SERVICE


Request for Proposals for Semipostal Stamps

AGENCY: Postal Service.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 416, and 39 CFR Part 551, the Postal 
Service is requesting proposals from interested persons on causes and 
recipient executive agencies for two future semipostal stamps. The 
first is expected to be issued for a 2-year period beginning in mid-
2002, and the second is expected to be issued for a 2-year period 
beginning in mid-2004.

DATES: The office of Stamp Services must receive an original and 20 
copies of each proposal on or before August 31, 2001, at 4:00 p.m. 
eastern time. Interested persons are encouraged to send their proposals 
early, and should budget time for proposals to be distributed by 
internal mail systems.

ADDRESSES: Proposals should be mailed or delivered to the Manager, 
Stamp Services, ATTN: Semipostal Stamp Program, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, 
Room 5670, Washington, DC 20260-2435.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Liz Altobell, (202) 268-2319.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Semipostal Authorization Act, Public Law 
106-253, 114 Stat. 634 (2000) (hereinafter ``Act''), authorizes the 
Postal Service to establish a 10-year program to sell semipostal 
stamps. The Act prescribes that the price of a semipostal stamp is the 
``rate of postage that would otherwise regularly apply,'' plus a 
differential, that is, the difference between sales revenue and 
postage, not to exceed 25 percent. The differential between the price 
of a semipostal stamp and the First-Class Mail service rate, 
less an offset for the reasonable costs of the Postal Service, consists 
of an amount to fund causes that the ``Postal Service determines to be 
in the national public interest and appropriate.'' By law, revenue from 
sales (net of postage and the reasonable costs of the Postal Service) 
is to be transferred to a selected executive agency or agencies within 
the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 105.
    In a notice published in the Federal Register, the Postal Service 
has adopted 39 CFR Part 551, which consists of regulations implementing 
the Act. Pursuant to 39 CFR 551.3, the Postal Service invites 
interested persons to submit proposals for causes and recipient 
executive agencies for two semipostal stamps. The first semipostal 
stamp is expected to be sold to the public for a 2-year period 
beginning in mid-2002, and the second semipostal stamp is expected to 
be sold to the public for a 2-year period beginning in mid-2004.
    Proposals submitted in response to this notice will be examined by 
the office of Stamp Services for consistency with the requirements in 
39 CFR Part 551. Those proposals determined by the office of Stamp 
Services to satisfy the requirements of 39 CFR 551.4 will be forwarded 
to the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC). The CSAC intends to 
consider eligible proposals at upcoming regularly scheduled meetings. 
The Postal Service expects that the CSAC will make recommendations to 
the postmaster general later in 2001, followed by a final decision by, 
and announcement from, the postmaster general. The Postal Service 
discourages contacting the office of Stamp Services by telephone to 
inquire about the status of proposals. Announcements concerning 
semipostal stamps will be posted on the Postal Service's Web site in 
the philatelic news area on www.usps.com, and interested persons should 
monitor postings on this Web site for further information on the 
selection of causes and recipient executive agencies.
    Interested persons should consult the regulations in 39 CFR Part 
551, as they specify the requirements for proposals. They should also 
take note that section 551.4 lists the specific requirements for 
proposals, which include, inter alia, the following:
     An original and 20 copies of the proposal must be timely 
submitted. If possible, an Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file should be 
submitted, saved on a 3.5-inch diskette or CD-ROM diskette, containing 
the entire contents of the submission.
     The proposal submission must be signed by the individual 
or a duly authorized representative and must provide the mailing 
address, phone number, fax number (if available), and E-mail address 
(if available) of a designated point of contact.
     The submission must describe the cause and the purposes 
for which the funds would be spent.
     The submission must demonstrate that the cause to be 
funded has broad national appeal, and that the cause is in the national 
public interest and furthers human welfare. Respondents should submit 
supporting documentation demonstrating that funding the cause would 
benefit the national public interest.
     The submission must be accompanied by a letter from an 
executive agency (or agencies) on agency letterhead representing that 
it is an executive agency as defined under 5 U.S.C. 105, it is willing 
and able to implement the proposal, and it is willing and able to meet 
the requirements of the Act, if it is selected. The letter must be 
signed by a duly authorized representative of the agency.
     Consideration for evaluation will not be given to 
proposals that request support for the following: Anniversaries; public 
works; people; specific organizations or associations; commercial 
enterprises or products; cities, towns, municipalities, counties, or 
secondary schools; hospitals, libraries, or similar institutions; 
religious institutions; causes that do not further human welfare; or 
causes determined by the Postal Service or the CSAC to be inconsistent 
with the spirit, intent, or history of the Act.
     Artwork and stamp designs should not be submitted with 
proposals.
    Interested persons should also pay particular attention to 39 CFR 
551.3(h), which details procedures for identification of recipient 
executive agencies.
    Proposal submissions become the property of the Postal Service and 
are not returned to persons who submit them. Persons who submit 
proposals are not entitled to any remuneration, compensation, or any 
other form of payment, whether their proposal submissions are selected 
or not, for any reason.
    Proposals will not be considered from any contractor of the Postal 
Service that may stand to benefit financially from the Semipostal Stamp 
Program; or members of the CSAC and their immediate families, and 
employees or contractors of the Postal Service, and their immediate 
families, who are involved in any decision-making related to causes, 
recipient agencies, or artwork for the Semipostal Stamp Program.

Stanley F. Mires,
Chief Counsel, Legislative.
[FR Doc. 01-14749 Filed 6-11-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-U