[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50374-50375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19679]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket Nos. CP2008-18, CP2008-19, CP2008-20, CP2008-21, CP2008-22, 
CP2008-23, and CP2008-24; Order No. 100]


Global Express Package Service Contracts

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing seven recently-filed Postal Service 
Global Express Package Service negotiated service agreements. This 
action is consistent with changes in a recent law governing postal 
operations.

DATES: Comments due September 2, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 
202-789-6820 or [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Introduction

    On August 14, 2008, the Postal Service filed seven identical 
notices, which have been assigned to Docket Nos. CP2008-18 through 
CP2008-24.\1\ These notices announce individual negotiated service 
agreements, namely, specific Global Express Package Service (GEPS) 
contracts the Postal Service has entered into with individual mailers. 
The Postal Service believes that each is functionally equivalent to the 
Global Express Package Services 1 (GEPS 1) product established in 
Docket No. CP2008-5.
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    \1\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing of 
Functionally Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 1 
Negotiated Service Agreement, August 14, 2008, filed in Docket Nos. 
CP2008-18, CP2008-19, CP2008-20, CP2008-21, CP2008-22, CP2008-23, 
and CP2008-24 (Notices).
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    Docket No. CP2008-5. The Governor's Decision supporting the GEPS 1 
product was filed in consolidated Docket No. CP2008-5.\2\ In Order No. 
86, the Commission established GEPS 1 as a product and held that 
additional contracts may be included as part of the GEPS 1 product if 
they meet the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633, and if they are 
substantially equivalent to the initial GEPS 1 contract filed in Docket 
No. CP2008-5.\3\ The GEPS 1 product provides volume-based incentives 
for mailers that send large volumes of Express Mail International (EMI) 
and/or Priority Mail International (PMI).
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    \2\ Docket No. CP2008-5, United States Postal Service Notice of 
Filing Redacted Copy of Governors' Decision No. 08-7, July 23, 2008.
    \3\ Docket No. CP2008-5, Order Concerning Global Expedited 
Package Services Contracts, June 27, 2008 (Order No. 86) at 7 (``The 
Commission will verify whether or not any subsequent contract is in 
fact substantially equivalent. Contracts not having substantially 
the same terms and conditions as the GEPS 1 contract must be filed 
under 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B.'').
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    Related contracts. The Postal Service contemporaneously filed the 
seven contracts in this docket pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.5 and Order No. 
86,\4\ asserting that they are substantially equivalent to the initial 
GEPS 1 contract filed with the Commission. In support of each of these 
dockets, the Postal Service also filed the contract and supporting 
material under seal. The Notices contain the Postal Service's arguments 
that these contracts are substantially equivalent and that they exhibit 
similar cost and market characteristics. Notices at 3-5. The Postal 
Service also maintains that all seven contracts, by virtue of their 
terms, fit within the proposed MCS language for GEPS 1. Id. at 2.
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    \4\ Id.
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    While maintaining that the contracts are substantially equivalent 
to the initial GEPS 1 contract filed, the Postal Service notes that the 
contracts may differ in minor respects, for example, prices may vary 
due to volume commitments, signing dates of the agreements, existence 
of previous agreements, and other case specific and negotiation related 
factors. Id. at 4-5. The Postal Service maintains, however, that 
``[i]ncidental differences to accommodate the respective mailers do 
nothing to detract from the conclusion that these agreements are 
`functionally equivalent in all pertinent respects.' '' Id. at 5.
    The Postal Service asks that the seven contracts be added to the 
existing GEPS 1 product. Id. at 2 and 5. It further notes that the 
contracts are ``set to expire one year after the Postal Service 
notifies the customer that all necessary approvals and reviews of the 
agreement have been obtained, culminating with a favorable conclusion 
on review by the Commission.'' Id. at 2.

II. Notice of Filings

    The Commission establishes Docket Nos. CP2008-18, CP2008-19, 
CP2008-20, CP2008-21, CP2008-22, CP2008-23, and CP2008-24. In keeping 
with recent practice, these dockets are addressed on a consolidated 
basis for purposes of this Order; however, future filings should be 
made in the specific docket in which

[[Page 50375]]

issues being addressed pertain. The public portions of these filings 
can be accessed via the Commission's Web site(http://www.prc.gov).
    Interested persons may express views and offer comments on whether 
the planned changes are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 
3633, or 3642. Comments are due no later than September 2, 2008.
    The Commission appoints Michael Ravnitzky to serve as Public 
Representative in the captioned filings.

III. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is Ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket Nos. CP2008-18, CP2008-19, 
CP2008-20, CP2008-21, CP2008-22, CP2008-23, and CP2008-24 for 
consideration of the matters raised in each docket.
    2. Comments on issues in these proceedings are due no later than 
September 2, 2008.
    3. The Commission appoints Michael Ravnitzky as Public 
Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this 
proceeding.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.

    Authority: 39 U.S.C. 3633; 39 CFR 3020.33.

    By the Commission.

    Dated: August 20, 2008.
Judith M. Grady,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-19679 Filed 8-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P