[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 25381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-10815]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MT2009-4; Order No. 720]


Postal Service Market Test

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service 
motion for a temporary extension of the Collaborative Logistics 
experimental market test, pending Commission action on anticipated 
request for permanent status. This document grants a one-month 
extension, appoints a public representative, and invites public 
comments.

DATES: Comment deadline: May 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at http://www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments 
electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing 
alternatives.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 26, 2011, the United States Postal 
Service moved to temporarily extend its Collaborative Logistics market 
test under 39 U.S.C. 3641(d).\1\ The Commission originally allowed a 2-
year market test on May 7, 2009.\2\ The impending expiration of the 2-
year interval has prompted the Postal Service to request that the 
Commission grant an extension of its experimental product. A temporary 
extension is being sought until such time as the Commission rules on a 
Postal Service request to make the Collaborative Logistics offering a 
permanent one. Motion at 2. The Postal Service hopes to file such a 
request by September 2011.
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    \1\ Motion of the United States Postal Service for Temporary 
Extension of Collaborative Logistics Market Test, April 26, 2011 
(Motion).
    \2\ Order No. 211, Order Concerning Collaborative Logistics 
Market Test, May 7, 2009.
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    The Postal Service recognizes that 39 U.S.C. 3641(d)(1) provides 
that ``a market test shall not exceed 24 months.'' Id. However, it 
suggests that the statute also ``clearly envisions cases where market 
tests could be extended[hellip]under section 3641(d)(2).'' Id. While 
the Postal Service recognizes that section 3641(d)(2) requires requests 
for extension of market tests to be submitted 60 days before the 
completion of the maximum 2-year test period, and its requested 
extension does not satisfy that provision precisely, it seeks a waiver 
to enable the Postal Service to complete the smooth transitioning of 
the management of this product to a new functional group. Id. at 1. The 
Postal Service contends an extension ``would not prejudice any party.'' 
Id. at 2.
    The Commission will grant a 1-month extension of this market test, 
through June 6, 2011, to develop a record on which to evaluate the 
Motion.
    The Postal Service is requested to submit additional information to 
explain more fully why it does not plan to file for permanent authority 
for 4 more months, and to provide a specific description of the 
justification for coordinating the test during that period. This 
information should be filed by May 5, 2011.
    Interested persons may submit comments on the Postal Service's 
Motion for extension. These comments are due no later than May 16, 
2011.
    The Commission appoints Richard A. Oliver to serve as successor to 
the prior Public Representative in this docket.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission grants an extension until June 6, 2011, to the 
expiration date of the market test of Collaborative Logistics.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Richard A. Oliver is appointed to 
serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent 
the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. The Postal Service shall supplement its Motion no later than May 
5, 2011, as described in the body of this order.
    4. Comments by interested persons are due no later than May 16, 
2011.
    5. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.

Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-10815 Filed 5-3-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P