[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 241 (Thursday, December 15, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 77942-77950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32009]


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POSTAL SERVICE

39 CFR Part 121


Service Standards for Market-Dominant Mail Products

AGENCY: Postal ServiceTM.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Postal Service seeks public comment on proposed revisions 
to the service standards for market-dominant mail products. The most 
significant revision would largely eliminate overnight service for 
First-Class Mail.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 13, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed to Manager, Industry 
Engagement and Outreach, United States Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant 
Plaza SW., Room 4107, Washington, DC 20260-4107, or transmitted by 
email to [email protected]. Copies of all comments will be 
available for inspection and photocopying at the Postal Service 
Headquarters Library, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW., 11th Floor North, 
Washington, DC 20260, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
by appointment (please call (202) 268-5585 to schedule an appointment).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wendy Hocking, Industry Engagement and 
Outreach, at (202) 268-8149; or Emily Rosenberg, Network Analytics, at 
(202) 268-5585.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Advance Notice
III. Comments
IV. Response to Comments
V. Proposed Revisions to Service Standards
    A. Service Standards Generally
    B. First-Class Mail
    C. Periodicals
    D. Standard Mail and Package Services
VI. Request for Comments

I. Introduction

    On September 21, 2011, the Postal Service published an advance 
notice of proposed rulemaking (the Advance Notice) in the Federal 
Register soliciting public comment on a conceptual proposal to revise 
service standards for market-dominant products.\1\ The comment period 
for the Advance Notice closed on October 21, 2011. Having developed the 
concept into a concrete proposal, the Postal Service is now publishing 
and soliciting public comment on proposed revisions to the service 
standard regulations contained in 39 CFR part 121. Pursuant to 39 
U.S.C. 3661(b), the Postal Service has also requested an advisory 
opinion from the Postal Regulatory Commission regarding the proposed 
revisions.\2\
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    \1\ Proposal to Revise Service Standards for First-Class Mail, 
Periodicals, and Standard Mail, 76 FR 58433 (Sept. 21, 2011).
    \2\ Request of the United States Postal Service for an Advisory 
Opinion on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services, Docket No. 
N2012-1 (Dec. 5, 2011). Documents pertaining to the Request are 
available at the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) Web site, http://www.prc.gov, under Docket No. N2012-1.
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II. Advance Notice

    In the Advance Notice, the Postal Service explained that the 
growing excess capacity in its mail processing network has led it to 
consider significantly consolidating that network. The excess capacity 
stems largely from falling mail volumes, particularly in First-Class 
Mail. Annual First-Class Mail volume peaked in 2001 at 103.7 billion 
pieces; it has fallen about 30 billion pieces since then, or 29 
percent. The Postal Service's mail processing network was designed 
principally to achieve First-Class Mail service standards, and the 
decline in First-Class Mail volume has made it difficult for the Postal 
Service to consolidate the network quickly enough to align with current 
volumes.
    The Postal Service stated in the Advance Notice that further 
changes to align the mail processing network will for the most part be 
unachievable without a relaxation of certain market-dominant service 
standards, particularly for First-Class Mail. The Postal Service set 
forth a proposal to eliminate the overnight service standard for First-
Class Mail, narrow the product's two-day delivery range, and enlarge 
its three-day delivery range. The proposal also contemplated similar 
changes to the Periodicals service standards, because those service 
standards are linked to First-Class Mail service standards. The Postal 
Service further noted that the proposal could entail minor changes to 
Standard Mail service standards, and it stated that all Postal Service 
products could experience changes in specific 3-digit ZIP Code origin-
destination pairs' transit times.
    The Postal Service explained in the Advance Notice that the 
proposal could make possible a significant modification of the mail 
processing network, better

[[Page 77943]]

aligning the network with current and future mail volumes, and that the 
proposal could lead to significant cost savings. The Postal Service 
also described some of the effects the proposal could have on mail 
users. The Postal Service solicited public comment on all aspects of 
the proposal.

III. Comments

    The Postal Service received over 4,200 comments in response to the 
Advance Notice, from a variety of sources, including retail customers, 
small businesses, periodicals publishers, parcel shippers, nonprofit 
mailers, commercial mail advertisers, mailer trade associations, postal 
unions and associations, state and local governments, members of 
Congress, and others. The majority of commenters expressed opposition 
to the proposal. Some commenters, while not opposed to the proposal, 
raised concerns regarding it. Some commenters requested more 
information. A minority of commenters supported the proposal.
    Commenters who opposed the proposal cited a number of reasons for 
their opposition. Some stated that the current service standards 
constitute an essential component of the mail, without which the mail 
would lose its utility to those who rely upon it most, such as the 
elderly, those who cannot access the internet, and those who live in 
rural areas. They pointed out that the proposal could cause delayed 
receipt of vital checks and medicines and could lead to more late fees 
being levied by financial institutions. They stated that the proposal 
would lead to lower mail volumes and revenue for the Postal Service, 
would hurt many businesses that rely on the mail, and would damage the 
economy generally. Numerous commenters expressed concern regarding the 
impact that the closures of processing facilities would have on local 
communities.
    Some commenters questioned whether the Postal Service's financial 
difficulties are significant enough to require major changes. Others 
suggested that the Postal Service seek to improve its financial 
position through other means, such as pricing and legislative changes, 
rather than lengthen service standards. Some commenters stated that the 
proposal violates the statutes governing the Postal Service, and they 
questioned whether the Postal Service has considered all of the 
requisite statutory factors in forming its proposal.
    Commenters also requested more information about the proposal. 
Commenters asked for a calculation of the cost savings and revenue loss 
that would result from the proposal. They stated that the mailing 
industry needs comprehensive information on how the proposal would 
alter the service standards between each 3-digit ZIP Code origin-
destination pair and Critical Entry Times. They requested an 
implementation timeline, including the sequence in which facilities 
would be closed.
    Some commenters questioned whether the Postal Service would be able 
to maintain its current on-time delivery performance, given the longer 
distances that mail will be transported to and from processing 
facilities. Many mailers expressed concern regarding how Business Mail 
Entry Units (BMEUs) and Detached Mail Units (DMUs) would be affected by 
the proposal; for example, they asked whether BMEUs would be maintained 
at sites where processing facilities are closed, and whether ``stand-
alone'' BMEUs might be established in more central locations. Mailers 
expressed concern that, after the consolidation of a significant number 
of processing facilities, there could be congestion at the loading 
docks of the remaining facilities.
    Mailers sought clarification on how the Postal Service will 
transition customer mailing accounts if acceptance units are closed or 
consolidated, and whether existing permits could continue to be used at 
new acceptance units. Some mailers inquired whether the Postal Service 
would create single permits for customers that mail at multiple origin 
offices. More generally, many commenters asked how the Postal Service 
would communicate the changes associated with the proposal both to 
commercial customers and to the public at large.

IV. Response to Comments

    The Postal Service has decided to continue pursuing the proposal, 
with some changes, by issuing proposed rules.\3\ The Postal Service 
acknowledges that the proposal would cause difficulty for some 
customers, and would, to some degree, reduce the value of the mail to 
customers. However, it believes that, on balance, the proposal is in 
the long-term interests of the Postal Service, and that it will help 
maintain the viability of the Postal Service for all customers into the 
future. The Postal Service believes that the proposal conforms to the 
policies of Title 39 and, in particular, to the factors and objectives 
set forth in subsections (b)(1) and (c) of 39 U.S.C. 3691 for designing 
and revising market-dominant service standards.\4\
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    \3\ The proposal, as modified, is described in detail in Section 
V.
    \4\ A lengthier discussion of how the proposal conforms to the 
policies of Title 39 and to the factors and objectives set forth in 
subsections (b)(1) and (c) of 39 U.S.C. 3691 is contained in the 
Postal Service's request to the PRC for an advisory opinion. See 
Request of the United States Postal Service for an Advisory Opinion 
on Changes in the Nature of Postal Services, Docket No. N2012-1 
(Dec. 5, 2011); see also Direct Testimony of David Williams on 
Behalf of the United States Postal Service (USPS-T-1), Docket No. 
N2012-1 (Dec. 5, 2011), available at http://www.prc.gov.
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    The primary reality driving the proposal is the decline in First-
Class Mail volume. As noted above, annual First-Class Mail volume has 
declined 29 percent over the last decade. The Postal Service expects 
this volume to decline faster in the next decade--the Postal Service 
forecasts annual First-Class Mail volume to fall from 73.5 billion 
pieces in 2011 to 39 billion pieces in 2020, a decline of 47 percent 
from the 2011 level. The mail processing network was designed 
principally to achieve First-Class Mail service standards, and if the 
network does not undergo significant consolidation, it will be vastly 
oversized for the amount of First-Class Mail volume it processes. As 
the Postal Service has stated, a significant consolidation of the mail 
processing network is not possible without adjusting market-dominant 
service standards.
    In regard to commenters' concern that the proposal will exacerbate 
volume declines, the Postal Service has conducted market research to 
determine how retail and commercial customers would react to the 
proposal. Based on this market research, the Postal Service estimates 
that the proposal will lead to an additional 1.9 percent decline in 
First-Class Mail (approximately 1.5 billion pieces), based on 2010 
volume.\5\ In light of the forecast 47 percent decline in annual First-
Class Mail volume by 2020, the Postal Service believes that the 
additional 1.9 percent decline is, while unfortunate, acceptable.
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    \5\ A full description of the market research is contained in 
testimony filed at the PRC. See Direct Testimony of Greg Whiteman on 
Behalf of the United States Postal Service (USPS-T-12), Docket No. 
N2012-1 (Dec. 5, 2011), available at http://www.prc.gov.
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    The Postal Service has also calculated the cost savings that will 
likely accrue to the Postal Service upon full implementation of the 
proposal, by reviewing all of the operational changes that would occur 
if the proposal were to be implemented, and then quantifying the costs 
that would be saved as a result of those changes. The Postal Service 
believes that these cost savings will total

[[Page 77944]]

approximately $2.6 billion annually.\6\ The data produced by the Postal 
Service's market research indicate that the proposal would lead to an 
annual loss of $1.3 billion in revenue, which translates to $0.5 
billion in lost contribution. Subtracting this contribution loss from 
the cost savings yields a net annual benefit of $2.1 billion to the 
Postal Service. Given the multi-billion dollar deficits that the Postal 
Service has experienced in each of the last five years, and given the 
over $14 billion dollar loss it expects in 2012,\7\ capturing cost 
savings wherever possible will be vital to the Postal Service's 
financial viability. The Postal Service believes that the present 
proposal's estimated $2.1 billion in net annual benefit will, along 
with other initiatives and measures, help return the Postal Service to 
a fiscally sound position.
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    \6\ Full descriptions of the cost savings calculations are 
contained in testimony filed at the PRC. See Direct Testimony of 
Marc Smith on Behalf of the United States Postal Service (USPS-T-9), 
and Direct Testimony of Michael Bradley on Behalf of the United 
States Postal Service (USPS-T-10), Docket No. N2012-1 (Dec. 5, 
2011), available at http://www.prc.gov.
    \7\ Some commenters stated that, if the statutory burden of an 
accelerated prefunding schedule for the Retiree Health Benefits Fund 
were lifted, the Postal Service would be in a financially sound 
position. In response, the Postal Service notes that, if it no 
longer had to make any prefunding payments to the Retiree Health 
Benefits Fund, it would still experience a projected financial loss 
of $3 billion in 2012.
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    To provide detail on the potential impact of the proposal on the 
service standards between specific 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination 
pairs, the Postal Service has published an illustrative Service 
Standard Directory (SSD) at http://about.usps.com/news/facility-studies/. The SSD lists the service standards that would exist in a 
potential realigned network. Because the proposal could change prior to 
implementation or possibly not be implemented, and because the actual 
changes that ultimately occur will depend on the outcome of numerous 
Area Mail Processing studies, the SSD list is only hypothetical and 
illustrative. For the same reasons, the Postal Service does not 
presently have an implementation timeline or a planned sequence in 
which facilities would be closed.
    The Postal Service believes that, if the proposal is implemented, 
the Postal Service will achieve the same rates of success in meeting 
the new service standards as it currently achieves in meeting the 
existing service standards. In response to mailers' concerns regarding 
BMEUs, the Postal Service will, wherever practicable, retain BMEUs in 
facilities where processing operations are eliminated. Where this is 
not practicable, the Postal Service will set up new acceptance units 
within relatively close geographical proximity to the original 
facilities. In regard to mailers' concerns about congestion at the 
loading docks of remaining facilities, the Postal Service will adjust 
local staffing levels and facility capacity as necessary to avoid 
congestion. In addition, Plant-Verified Drop Ship appointment windows 
in the Facility Access and Shipment Tracking system will be adjusted as 
necessary to support shifting volumes across the network. In regard to 
mailers' concerns about permits, the Postal Service will allow 
customers to maintain their existing permit account numbers from 
eliminated sites for use at the remaining sites. Customers will also be 
able to continue using existing indicia.\8\
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    \8\ A full description of the impact of the proposal on the 
entry of commercial mail is contained in testimony filed at the PRC. 
See Direct Testimony of Pritha N. Mehra on Behalf of the United 
States Postal Service (USPS-T-7), Docket No. N2012-1 (Dec. 5, 2011), 
available at http://www.prc.gov.
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    As the Postal Service moves forward with the proposal, it is 
committed to communicating its plans in a clear and simple manner.

V. Proposed Revisions to Service Standards

    The Postal Service's market-dominant service standards are 
contained in 39 CFR part 121. The proposed revised version of 39 CFR 
part 121 appears at the end of this Notice. The following is a summary 
of the proposed revisions.

A. Service Standards Generally

    Before describing how service standards will be revised, it is 
important to understand how service standards are structured. Service 
standards are comprised of two components: (1) A delivery day range 
within which all mail in a given product is expected to be delivered; 
\9\ and (2) business rules that determine, within a product's 
applicable day range, the specific number of delivery days after 
acceptance of a mail piece by which a customer can expect that piece to 
be delivered, based on the 3-Digit ZIP Code prefixes associated with 
the piece's point of entry into the mail stream and its delivery 
address.
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    \9\ There are separate delivery day ranges for mail within the 
contiguous forty-eight states and mail that originates or destinates 
outside the contiguous forty-eight states.
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    Business rules are based on Critical Entry Times (CETs). The CET is 
the latest time on a particular day that a mail piece can be entered 
into the postal network and still have its service standard calculated 
based on that day (this day is termed ``day-zero''). In other words, if 
a piece is entered before the CET, its service standard is calculated 
from the day of entry, whereas if it is entered after the CET, its 
service standard is calculated from the following day.\10\ For example, 
if the applicable CET is 5 p.m., and a letter is entered at 4 p.m. on a 
Tuesday, its service standard will be calculated from Tuesday, whereas 
if the letter is entered at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday, its service standard 
will be calculated from Wednesday.
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    \10\ If the following day is a Sunday or holiday, then the 
service standard is calculated from the next Postal Service delivery 
day.
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    CETs are not contained in 39 CFR part 121, because they vary based 
on where mail is entered, the mail's level of preparation, and other 
factors. The CETs at retail collection points are generally listed at 
those points.\11\ For example, blue collection boxes list the time of 
day when mail is collected from them by the Postal Service; if a blue 
collection box lists three pick-up times on one day, the CET for that 
day is the latest listed pick-up time.
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    \11\ The CET for outgoing mail left in a residential customer's 
mailbox for pick-up by the customer's carrier obviously varies based 
on the carrier's schedule. The same is true for collection boxes 
that are part of residential delivery cluster boxes.
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    The Postal Service has noted below certain new CETs it plans to 
institute if it determines to implement the proposed rules. The CETs 
could, of course, be modified in the future, as the operating 
environment that the Postal Service faces changes over time.

B. First-Class Mail

    The Postal Service is not proposing to change the first component 
of the First-Class Mail service standards, namely the delivery day 
range applicable to First-Class Mail in general. As is currently the 
case, the delivery day range for First-Class Mail that originates and 
destinates in the contiguous forty-eight states will technically remain 
one to three days, and the delivery day range for First-Class Mail that 
originates or destinates in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories will technically remain one 
to five days.
    The Postal Service is, however, proposing to change the second 
component of the First-Class Mail service standards, namely the 
business rules. The most significant effect of these changes will be to 
drastically reduce the amount of First-Class Mail that qualifies for an 
overnight service standard. Under the current First-Class Mail 
overnight business rule, intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) mail is 
subject to overnight delivery if it is

[[Page 77945]]

entered before the applicable day-zero CET.\12\ Mail is ``intra-SCF'' 
if its destination is within its designated SCF's delivery area. The 
current overnight business rule also includes criteria establishing an 
overnight service standard for some inter-SCF mail entered before the 
CET, depending on the mail's destination.
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    \12\ The rule has an exception that excludes from overnight 
service some mail outside of the contiguous forty-eight states, 
specifically: Mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; 
and mail originating and destinating in the Alaska 3-digit ZIP Codes 
996, 997, 998, and 999, and in the Alaska 5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 to 
99591.
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    Under the proposed revisions to the First-Class Mail overnight 
business rule, overnight service would be accorded only to intra-SCF 
Presort First-Class Mail that is entered at the SCF prior to the 
CET.\13\ Overnight service would not be accorded to any mail that is 
entered anywhere other than the designated SCF, it would not be 
accorded to any mail whose destination is outside the delivery area of 
the SCF (i.e., inter-SCF), and it would not be accorded to any mail 
that does not meet all of the preparation requirements for Presort 
mail. The CET at the SCF would be 8 a.m., with a 12 p.m. exception that 
would be available only to intra-SCF Presort First-Class Mail that is 
sorted and containerized to the 5-digit Zip Code or 5-digit scheme 
level.\14\ Pursuant to these revisions, overnight service would no 
longer be available to any First-Class Mail entered by retail 
customers, regardless of when or where such mail is entered.\15\
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    \13\ The rule will retain the exception that the current rule 
has to exclude from overnight service some mail outside of the 
contiguous forty-eight states. However, the exception will be 
expanded to also include the Alaska 5-digit ZIP Codes 99592 to 
99599. These ZIP Codes are currently unassigned, but they may be 
assigned in the future.
    \14\ A ``scheme'' is a collection of multiple 5-digit ZIP Codes 
that are processed on a single sort program.
    \15\ As is the case currently, First-Class Mail entered by 
retail customers would have varying CETs based on the point of 
entry. Because mail entered by retail customers cannot meet the 
preparation requirements for Presort mail, such mail would be 
ineligible for overnight service.
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    Intra-SCF mail that is entered before the day-zero CET but does not 
meet the criteria for overnight service would be accorded a two-day 
service standard. The First-Class Mail two-day business rule would be 
revised accordingly. In addition, the current First-Class Mail two-day 
business rule covers any mail piece entered before the day-zero CET if 
the driving time between the piece's origin Processing and Distribution 
Center or Facility (P&DC/F) and its destination Area Distribution 
Center (ADC) is twelve hours or less (and the piece does not qualify 
for the overnight standard). This criterion would be revised to a four 
hour driving time between the piece's origin P&DC/F and its destination 
SCF.\16\
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    \16\ The current business rule measures the driving time based 
on the destination ADC. After the proposed consolidation of so many 
facilities, the Postal Service believes it will be able to sort 
First-Class Mail at the origin to the SCF level, which is a further 
level of sortation than the ADC level. Therefore, mail will 
generally bypass ADCs and be transported directly to SCFs. For this 
reason, the proposed business rule measures the driving time based 
on the destination SCF.
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    All First-Class Mail that qualifies for a two-day service standard 
under the current two-day business rule, but would not qualify for a 
two-day service standard under the proposed two-day business rule, will 
qualify for a three-day standard. The three-, four-, and five-day 
business rules for First-Class Mail will not be revised. Any First-
Class Mail that currently qualifies for a three-, four-, or five-day 
service standard will retain its current service standard under the 
proposed rules.\17\
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    \17\ There will be limited, exceptional cases where, as a result 
of the proposed network changes, the service standards between 
certain origin-destination pairs will change from three days to two 
days.
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    The Postal Service is not proposing any changes to the service 
standards for First-Class Mail International beyond the changes 
described above for domestic First-Class Mail. The new domestic transit 
time for First-Class Mail International will mirror the new domestic 
transit time for domestic First-Class Mail.

C. Periodicals

    The Postal Service is not proposing to change the delivery day 
range for Periodicals mailed within the contiguous forty-eight states, 
but it is proposing to change the delivery day range for Periodicals 
that originate or destinate outside the contiguous forty-eight states. 
The Postal Service proposes extending such mail's maximum delivery 
period from the current twenty days to a proposed twenty-six days, to 
more accurately reflect the service that is received by such mail.\18\
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    \18\ Outside the contiguous forty-eight states, mail is often 
dependent on transportation that does not run daily (e.g., certain 
boat and air-taxi services used by the Postal Service operate only 
on certain days of the week). For this reason, the service accorded 
to such mail varies widely and is often much longer than stated in 
the current service standards.
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    The Postal Service is also proposing to change the Periodicals 
business rules. There are separate business rules for end-to-end 
Periodicals and destination-entry Periodicals.
1. End-to-End Periodicals
    Under the current overnight business rule for end-to-end 
Periodicals, intra-SCF mail is subject to overnight delivery if it is 
entered before the applicable day-zero CET and its origin P&DC/F and 
SCF are located in the same building.\19\ Under the proposed overnight 
business rule, overnight service would be limited to pieces that are 
intra-SCF, Presort, not mixed with any inter-SCF pieces, and entered at 
the SCF prior to the CET.\20\ The differences between the current and 
proposed rules, then, are that the proposed rule adds requirements that 
the mail be Presort, that it not be mixed with inter-SCF mail, and that 
it be entered at the designated SCF.
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    \19\ As with the First-Class Mail overnight business rule, the 
Periodicals overnight business rule has an exception that excludes 
from overnight service mail between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, and mail originating and destinating in the Alaska 3-digit 
ZIP Codes 996, 997, 998, and 999, and in the Alaska 5-digit ZIP 
Codes 99540 to 99591.
    \20\ The rule will retain the exception that the current rule 
has to exclude from overnight service some mail outside of the 
contiguous forty-eight states. However, the exception will be 
expanded to also include the Alaska 5-digit ZIP Codes 99592 to 
99599. These ZIP Codes are currently unassigned, but they may be 
assigned in the future.
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    Further, some of the end-to-end Periodicals CETs will change. The 
current CETs at facilities that do not employ the Flats Sequencing 
System (non-FSS facilities) are 4 p.m. for mailings that require the 
Postal Service to perform a bundle sort, and 5 p.m. for mailings that 
do not require the Postal Service to perform a bundle sort. These CETs 
would be changed to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. The current CETs 
at FSS facilities--8 a.m. for mailings that require a bundle sort, and 
11 a.m. for mailings that do not require a bundle sort--will remain 
unchanged.
    The Postal Service is proposing to insert a new, two-day business 
rule for end-to-end Periodicals to cover all intra-SCF mail that is 
entered prior to the CET and does not meet the requirements of the 
proposed overnight business rule.\21\ Thus, end-to-end Periodicals mail 
pieces that meet the requirements of the current overnight business 
rule but do not meet the requirements of the proposed overnight 
business rule will be accorded a two-day service standard.
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    \21\ The proposed end-to-end Periodicals two-day business rule 
will have the same exception that the proposed end-to-end 
Periodicals overnight business rule will have to exclude from 
overnight service some mail outside of the contiguous forty-eight 
states.
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    Consequently, the current two- to four-day business rule for end-
to-end Periodicals will be revised to become a three- to four-day 
business rule. This rule will not be revised in any other way. The 
current five- to nine-day business rule for end-to-end Periodicals will 
not be revised. The current eight- to twenty-day business rule for end-
to-

[[Page 77946]]

end Periodicals will be revised to become an eleven- to twenty-six-day 
business rule. This revision is being made so that the rule more 
accurately reflects the service that is currently received by pieces 
destinating outside the contiguous forty-eight states.\22\
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    \22\ This rule applies only to mail originating or destinating 
outside the contiguous forty-eight states.
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2. Destination-Entry Periodicals
    The CETs for destination-entry Periodicals will be changed in the 
same manner as the CETs for end-to-end Periodicals are changed. The 
CETs at non-FSS facilities will change from 4 p.m. for mailings that 
require a bundle sort, and 5 p.m. for mailings that do not require a 
bundle sort, to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., respectively. The CETs at FSS 
facilities will not change.
    The business rules for destination-entry Periodicals will not be 
revised in any significant fashion. The seven-day business rule will be 
revised to become an eleven-day business rule, and the five- to eight-
day business rule will be revised to become an eight- to eleven-day 
business rule. Both of these changes are being made so that the rules 
more accurately reflect the service that is currently received by 
pieces destinating outside the contiguous forty-eight states.\23\
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    \23\ In addition, the exception that the current two-day 
business rule has to exclude from overnight service some mail 
outside of the contiguous forty-eight states will be expanded in the 
proposed two-day business rule to include the Alaska 5-digit ZIP 
Codes 99592 to 99599. These ZIP Codes are currently unassigned, but 
they may be assigned in the future.
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D. Standard Mail and Package Services

    The Postal Service is not proposing any revisions to the service 
standards for Standard Mail and Package Services pieces mailed within 
the contiguous forty-eight states. The Postal Service is proposing to 
revise the Standard Mail and Package Services service standards for 
pieces that originate or destinate outside the contiguous forty-eight 
states, to more accurately reflect the service that such pieces 
receive. The Postal Service is proposing to extend Standard Mail's 
maximum delivery period from the current twenty-two days to a proposed 
twenty-seven days. In the Standard Mail business rules, the end-to-end 
nine- to twenty-two-day rule would be revised to twelve to twenty-seven 
days, and the destination-entry nine- to twelve-day rule would be 
revised to twelve to fourteen days.
    The Postal Service is proposing to extend Package Services' maximum 
delivery period from the current twenty days to a proposed twenty-six 
days. In the Package Services business rules, the end-to-end seven- to 
twenty-day rule would be revised to ten to twenty-six days, and the 
destination-entry seven- to eight-day rule would be revised to eleven 
to twelve days.

VI. Request for Comments

    The Postal Service requests comments on the proposed revisions to 
39 CFR Part 121 and on the proposal generally. A more extensive 
discussion of the proposal and its associated network and service 
implications is available in the materials filed by the Postal Service 
with the Postal Regulatory Commission in Docket No. N2012-1, at http://www.prc.gov. If the Postal Service determines to implement the 
proposal, it will publish final rules in the Federal Register.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 121

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated, the Postal Service proposes 
the following revision to 39 CFR part 121:

PART 121--SERVICE STANDARDS FOR MARKET DOMINANT MAIL PRODUCTS

    1. The authority citation for 39 CFR Part 121 continues to read as 
follows:


    Authority:  39 U.S.C. 101, 401, 403, 404, 1001, 3691.

    2. Revise Part 121 to read as follows:

121.1 First-Class Mail
121.2 Periodicals
121.3 Standard Mail
121.4 Package Services
Appendix A to Part 121--Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges


Sec.  121.1  First-Class Mail.

    (a) For all intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) domestic Presort 
First-Class Mail[supreg] pieces properly accepted at the designated SCF 
prior to the established and published Critical Entry Time, the service 
standard is 1-day (overnight), except for mail between Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands and intra-SCF mail originating and destinating 
in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska or designated 
portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 
997, 998 and 999. For all intra-SCF domestic Presort First Class Mail 
five-digit or schemed container mail properly accepted at the 
designated SCF prior to the established and published Critical Entry 
Time, the service standard is 1-day (overnight), except for mail 
between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and intra-SCF mail 
originating and destinating in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in 
Alaska or designated portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 
through 99599), 996, 997, 998 and 999.
    (b) A 2-day service standard is established for all domestic First-
Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical Entry 
Time at origin if a 1-day service standard is not required, and if the 
origin PDC/F to SCF surface transportation drive time is 4 hours or 
less; or if the origin and delivery address are separately in the 
territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands; or if the mail 
is intra-SCF and originating from or destinating to one of the 
following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska or designated portions 
thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Code areas 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 
998, and 999.
    (c) A 3-day service standard is established for all remaining 
domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at origin, if neither a 1-day nor a 2-day service 
standard is required and:
    (1) Both the origin SCF and the delivery address are within the 
contiguous 48 states;
    (2) The origin SCF is in the contiguous 48 states, and the delivery 
address is in either of the following: the 995 3-digit ZIP Code area in 
the state of Alaska, or the 968 3-digit ZIP Code area in the state of 
Hawaii, or in the 006, 007, or 009 3-digit ZIP Code areas of the 
territory of Puerto Rico;
    (3) The origin is in the 006, 007 or 009 3-digit ZIP Code areas of 
the territory of Puerto Rico and the delivery address is in the 
contiguous 48 states;
    (4) The origin SCF is in the state of Hawaii and the delivery 
address is in the territory of Guam; the origin is in the territory of 
Guam and the delivery address is in the state of Hawaii;
    (5) Both the origin SCF and the delivery address are within the 
state of Alaska; or
    (6) The origin and delivery address are separately in the 
territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (d) A 4-day service standard is established for all remaining 
First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero Critical 
Entry Time at origin, if either a 1-day, 2-day, or 3-day service 
standard is not required, and if:
    (1) The origin SCF is in the contiguous 48 states and the delivery 
address is in either of the following: any portion of the state of 
Alaska not in the 995 3-digit ZIP Code area; or any portion of the 
state of Hawaii not in the 968 3-digit ZIP Code area; or the territory 
of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (2) The delivery address is in the contiguous 48 states and the 
origin is in either of the following: the state of

[[Page 77947]]

Alaska, the state of Hawaii, or the territory of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands; or
    (3) The origin and delivery address are in different states or 
territories, excluding mail to and from the territory of Guam and mail 
between the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (e) A 5-day service standard is established for all remaining 
domestic First-Class Mail pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at origin, if those pieces originate in the 
territory of Guam but are not destined for Guam or the state of Hawaii, 
or if those pieces originate other than in Guam or Hawaii and are 
destined for Guam.
    (f) The service standard for Outbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail 
InternationalTM pieces properly accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at origin is equivalent to the service standard for 
domestic First-Class Mail from the same origin 3-digit ZIP Code to the 
3-digit ZIP Code area in which that origin's designated International 
Service Center is located.
    (g) The service standard for Inbound Single-Piece First-Class Mail 
International is equivalent to the service standard for domestic First-
Class Mail pieces from the 3-digit ZIP Code area in which that inbound 
mail's designated International Service Center is located to the 3-
digit ZIP Code of the delivery address.


Sec.  121.2  Periodicals.

    (a) End-to-End. (1) For all intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) 
domestic Presort pieces properly accepted at the designated SCF prior 
to the established and published Critical Entry Time, the service 
standard is 1-day (overnight), except for mail between Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands and intra-SCF mail originating and destinating 
in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in Alaska or designated 
portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 through 99599), 996, 
997, 998 and 999. For all intra-Sectional Center Facility (SCF) 
domestic Presort five-digit or schemed container mail properly accepted 
at the designated SCF prior to the established and published Critical 
Entry Time, the service standard is 1-day (overnight), except for mail 
between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands and intra-SCF mail 
originating and destinating in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in 
Alaska or designated portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Codes 99540 
through 99599), 996, 997, 998 and 999.
    (2) For all SCF turnaround Periodicals properly accepted before the 
established and published day-zero Critical Entry Time at origin, where 
the origin P&DC/F and SCF are in the same building, the service 
standard is 2 days, except for mail between the territories of Puerto 
Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and mail originating or destinating 
in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas within the state of Alaska or 
designated portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Code areas 99540 through 
99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
    (3) The Periodicals service standard is the sum of the applicable 
(2-to-3-day) First-Class Mail service standard plus one day, for each 
3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair for which Periodicals are 
accepted before the day zero Critical Entry Time at origin and merged 
with First-Class Mail pieces for surface transportation (as defined by 
the Periodicals Origin Split and First-Class Mail mixed Area 
Distribution Center/Automated Area Distribution Center (ADC/AADC) 
Domestic Mail Manual label list L201).
    (4) The Periodicals service standard for mail between the 
territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is 3 days.
    (5) The Periodicals service standard for mail between the state of 
Hawaii and the territory of Guam is 4 days.
    (6) The Periodicals service standard for intra-Alaska mail that is 
not overnight is 3 to 4 days for the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas 
or designated portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP Code areas 99540 
through 99599), 996, 997, 998, and 999.
    (7) The Periodicals service standard for each remaining 3-digit ZIP 
Code origin-destination pair within the contiguous 48 states, for which 
Periodicals are accepted before the day zero Critical Entry Time at 
origin, is the sum of 4 or 5 days, plus the number of additional days 
(from 1 to 4) required for surface transportation between each 3-digit 
ZIP Code origin-destination pair.
    (8) The Periodicals service standard for each remaining 3-digit ZIP 
Code origin-destination pair, for which Periodicals are accepted before 
the day zero Critical Entry Time at origin, is the sum of 4 or 5 days, 
plus the number of additional days (from 7 to 21) required for 
intermodal (highway, boat, air-taxi) transportation outside of the 
contiguous 48 states for each 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair.
    (b) Destination Entry. (1) Periodicals that qualify for a 
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) or Destination Sectional Center 
Facility (DSCF) rate, and that are accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper DDU or DSCF, have a 1-day (overnight) 
service standard, except for mail dropped at the SCF in the territory 
of Puerto Rico and destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, and intra SCF mail in the following 3-digit ZIP Code areas in 
the state of Alaska or designated portions thereof: 995 (5-digit ZIP 
Code areas 99540 through 99599), 996, 997, 998 and 999.
    (2) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Area Distribution 
Center (DADC) rate, and that are accepted before the day zero Critical 
Entry Time at the proper DADC, unless the ADC is located with the 
contiguous 48 states and the destination is not, and where the DADC and 
DSCF are not the same building, have a 2-day service standard, unless 
the destination is the Alaska 997 3-digit ZIP Code area. Mail that 
qualifies for a Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) rate has a 
2-day service standard, if it is accepted before the day-zero Critical 
Entry Time, and the mail is dropped at the SCF in the territory of 
Puerto Rico and is destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands; or if the mail is intra-SCF in the following 3-digit ZIP Code 
areas of the state of Alaska: 996, 998 and 999. Periodicals that 
qualify for a DADC rate, and that are accepted before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time at the Alaska 997 DADC have a 3-day service 
standard.
    (3) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Network Distribution 
Center containerized rate, that are accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper destination NDC in the contiguous 48 
states, and that are addressed for delivery in the contiguous 48 
states, have a service standard of 1 or 2 days, corresponding to the 
standard for mail qualifying for the destination ADC rate, based on 
whether the destination ADC and SCF are the same building.
    (4) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Area Distribution 
Center (DADC) rate and that are accepted before the day zero Critical 
Entry Time at the proper DADC in the contiguous 48 states for delivery 
to addresses in the state of Alaska have a service standard of 11 days.
    (5) Periodicals that qualify for a Destination Network Distribution 
Center containerized rate, that are accepted before the day-zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper destination NDC in the contiguous 48 
states, and that are addressed for delivery in the states of Alaska or 
Hawaii, or the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin 
Islands, have a service standard of 8 to 11 days, corresponding to the 
standard for mail qualifying for the destination ADC rate, which is 
based on the number of days required for transportation outside of the 
contiguous 48 states and whether the destination ADC and SCF are the 
same building.

[[Page 77948]]

Sec.  121.3  Standard Mail.

    (a) End-to-End. (1) The service standard for Sectional Center 
Facility (SCF) turnaround Standard Mail[supreg] pieces accepted at 
origin before the day zero Critical Entry Time is 3 days when the 
origin Processing & Distribution Center/Facility (OPD&C/F) and the SCF 
are the same building, except for mail between the territories of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (2) The service standard for Area Distribution Center (ADC) 
turnaround Standard Mail pieces accepted at origin before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time is 4 days when the OPD&C/F and the ADC are the same 
building, unless the ADC is in the contiguous 48 states and the 
delivery address is not, or when the mail is between the territories of 
Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (3) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Standard Mail pieces accepted at origin before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time is 5 days for each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code 
origin-destination pair within the same Network Distribution Center 
service area if the origin and destination are within the contiguous 48 
states; the same standard applies to mail that is intra-Alaska, intra-
Hawaii, or between the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam.
    (4) For each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair 
within the contiguous 48 states, the service standard for Standard Mail 
pieces accepted at origin before the day zero Critical Entry Time is 
the sum of 5 or 6 days plus the number of additional days (from 1 to 4) 
required for surface transportation between each 3-digit ZIP Code 
origin-destination pair.
    (5) For each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair, 
the service standard for Standard Mail pieces accepted at origin before 
the day zero Critical Entry Time is the sum of 5 or 6 days plus the 
number of additional days (from 7 to 21) required for intermodal 
(highway, boat, air-taxi) transportation outside of the contiguous 48 
states for each 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair.
    (b) Destination Entry. (1) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a 
Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) rate and that are accepted before the 
day zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DDU have a 2-day service 
standard.
    (2) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Sectional 
Center Facility (DSCF) rate and that are accepted before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper DSCF have a 3-day service standard, 
except for mail dropped at the SCF in the territory of Puerto Rico and 
destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (3) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Sectional 
Center Facility (DSCF) rate, and that are accepted before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time at the SCF in the territory of Puerto Rico, have a 
4-day service standard if destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
    (4) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that are accepted before the day 
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC have a 5-day service 
standard, if both the origin and the destination are in the contiguous 
48 states.
    (5) Standard Mail pieces that qualify for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that are accepted before the day 
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC in the contiguous 48 states 
for delivery to addresses in the states of Alaska or Hawaii or the 
territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, have a 
service standard of 12-14 days, depending on the 3-digit origin-
destination ZIP Code pair. For each such pair, the applicable day 
within the range is based on the number of days required for 
transportation outside of the contiguous 48 states.


Sec.  121.4  Package Services.

    (a) End-to-End. (1) The service standard for Sectional Center 
Facility (SCF) turnaround Package Services mail accepted at the origin 
SCF before the day zero Critical Entry Time is 2 days when the origin 
Processing & Distribution Center/Facility and the SCF are the same 
building, except for mail between the territories of Puerto Rico and 
the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (2) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Package Services mail accepted at origin before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time is 3 days, for each remaining (non-intra-SCF) 3-
digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair within a Network Distribution 
Center service area, where the origin and destination is within the 
contiguous 48 states and is not served by an Auxiliary Service 
Facility; and for mail between the territories of Puerto Rico and the 
U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (3) The service standard for intra-Network Distribution Center 
(NDC) Package Services mail accepted at origin before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time is 4 days for each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code 
origin-destination pair within a Network Distribution Center service 
area, where the destination delivery address is served by an Auxiliary 
Service Facility; the same standard applies to all remaining intra-
Alaska mail and mail between the state of Hawaii and the territory of 
Guam.
    (4) For each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair 
within the contiguous 48 states, the service standard for Package 
Services mail accepted at origin before the day zero Critical Entry 
Time is between 5 and 8 days. For each such 3-digit ZIP Code origin-
destination pair, this is the sum of 4 days, plus the number of 
additional days (from 1 to 4) required for surface transportation 
between each 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair, plus an 
additional day if the destination delivery address is served by an 
Auxiliary Service Facility.
    (5) For each remaining 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair for 
which either the origin or the destination is outside of the contiguous 
48 states, the service standard for Package Services mail accepted at 
origin before the day zero Critical Entry Time is between 10 and 26 
days. For each such 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair, this 
represents the sum of 3 to 4 days, plus the number of days (ranging 
from 7 to 22) required for intermodal (highway, boat, air-taxi) 
transportation between each 3-digit ZIP Code origin-destination pair.
    (6) The service standard for Inbound Surface Parcel Post[supreg] 
pieces (subject to Universal Postal Union rates) is the same as the 
service standard for domestic Package Services mail from the 3-digit 
ZIP Code area in which the International Network Distribution Center is 
located to the 3-digit ZIP Code in which the delivery address is 
located.
    (b) Destination Entry. (1) Package Services mail that qualifies for 
a Destination Delivery Unit (DDU) rate, and that is accepted before the 
day zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DDU, has a 1-day (overnight) 
service standard.
    (2) Package Services mail that qualifies for a Destination 
Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) rate, and that is accepted before the 
day zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DSCF, has a 2-day service 
standard, except for mail dropped at the SCF in the territory of Puerto 
Rico and destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    (3) Package Services mail that qualifies for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, which is accepted before the day zero 
Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC or Destination Auxiliary Service 
Facility, and that originates and destinates in the contiguous 48 
states, has a 3-day service standard. Mail that qualifies for a 
Destination Sectional Center Facility (DSCF) discount, and that is 
accepted before the day zero Critical Entry Time

[[Page 77949]]

at the SCF in the territory of Puerto Rico, has a 3-day service 
standard if it is destined for the territory of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands.
    (4) Package Services mail that qualifies for a Destination Network 
Distribution Center (DNDC) rate, and that is accepted before the day 
zero Critical Entry Time at the proper DNDC in the contiguous 48 states 
for delivery to addresses in the states of Alaska or Hawaii, or the 
territories of Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands has a 
service standard of either 11 or 12 days, depending on the 3-digit ZIP 
Code origin-destination pair. For each such pair, the applicable day 
within the range is based on the number of days required for 
transportation outside of the contiguous 48 states.

Appendix A to Part 121--Tables Depicting Service Standard Day Ranges

    The following tables reflect the service standard day ranges 
resulting from the application of the business rules applicable to the 
market-dominant mail products referenced in Sec. Sec.  121.1 through 
121.4:

Table 1--End-to-End Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail Originating and
Destinating Within the Contiguous 48 States and the District of Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Contiguous United States
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                End-to-
                          Mail class                           end range
                                                                 (days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail.............................................        1-3
Periodicals..................................................        1-9
Standard Mail................................................       3-10
Package Services.............................................        2-8
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 2--End-to-End Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail Originating and/or Destinating Within the States of
             Alaska and Hawaii, and the Territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Alaska, Hawaii & Guam, Puerto Rico & USVI
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    End-to-end
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Intra state/territory      To/from contiguous 48     To/from states of Alaska
                                ---------------------------           states              and Hawaii, and the
                                                           ---------------------------    territories of Guam,
           Mail class                                                                   Puerto Rico and the U.S.
                                                    Puerto                                   Virgin Islands
                                  Alaska   Hawaii   Rico &            Hawaii   Puerto --------------------------
                                           & Guam    USVI    Alaska   & Guam   Rico &                     Puerto
                                                                                USVI    Alaska   Hawaii   Rico &
                                                                                                 & Guam    USVI
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First-Class Mail...............      1-3      1-3      1-2      3-4      3-5      3-4      4-5      4-5      4-5
Periodicals....................      1-4      1-4      1-3    13-19    12-22    11-16    21-25    21-26    23-26
Standard Mail..................     *3-5      3-5      3-4    14-20    13-23    12-17    23-26    23-27    24-27
Package Services...............      2-4      2-4      2-3    12-18    11-21    10-15    21-26    20-26    20-24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Excluding bypass mail.


 Table 3--Destination Entry Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail to the
            Contiguous 48 States and the District of Columbia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Contiguous United States
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Destination entry (at appropriate
                                                 facility)
           Mail class            ---------------------------------------
                                     DDU       SCF       ADC       NDC
                                   (days)    (days)    (days)    (days)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodicals.....................         1         1       1-2       1-2
Standard Mail...................         2         3  ........         5
Package Services................         1         2  ........         3
------------------------------------------------------------------------


  Table 4--Destination Entry Service Standard Day Ranges for Mail to the States of Alaska and Hawaii, and the Territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the
                                                                   U.S. Virgin Islands
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Alaska, Hawaii & Guam, Puerto Rico & USVI
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                     Destination entry (at appropriate facility)
                                                           ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             SCF (days)                   ADC (days)                   NDC (days)
                        Mail class                                  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              DDU                       Puerto                         Puerto                     Puerto
                                                             (days)   Alaska   Hawaii   Rico &    Alaska    Hawaii &   Rico &   Alaska   Hawaii   Rico &
                                                                               & Guam   USVIA                 Guam     USVIA             & Guam   USVIA
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Periodicals...............................................        1      1-2        1      1-2   1-3 (AK)   1 (HI) 2      1-2    10-11       10     8-10
                                                                                                 11 (JNU)       (GU)
                                                                                                 11 (KTN)
Standard Mail.............................................        2        3        3      3-4  .........  .........  .......       14       13       12

[[Page 77950]]

 
Package Services..........................................        1        2        2      2-3  .........  .........  .......       12       11       11
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AK = Alaska 3-digit ZIP Codes 995-997; JNU = Juneau AK 3-digit ZIP Code 998; KTN = Ketchikan AK 3-digit ZIP Code 999; HI = Hawaii 3-digit ZIP Codes 967
  and 968; GU = Guam 3-digit ZIP Code 969.


Stanley F. Mires,
Attorney, Legal Policy & Legislative Advice.
[FR Doc. 2011-32009 Filed 12-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-12-P