[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35649-35650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14020]



[[Page 35649]]

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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. CP2013-23; Order No. 1741]


Negotiated Service Agreement

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning an amendment to the 2013 Singapore Post Limited Agreement. 
This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, 
and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: June 14, 2013.

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, 
at 202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Contents of Filing
III. Commission Action
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On June 4, 2013, the Postal Service filed notice, pursuant to 39 
CFR 3010.40 et seq., that it has entered into a modification of a 
bilateral agreement for inbound market dominant services with Singapore 
Post Limited (2013 Agreement).\1\ The 2013 Agreement concerns an 
extension to March 31, 2014 and revised Annex 1 rates. Notice at 1-2. 
The 2013 Agreement, if approved, would supersede a recently-approved 
extension to July 31, 2013.\2\ Notice at 2.
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    \1\ Notice of United States Postal Service of Filing Additional 
Inbound Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign Postal 
Operators 1 Negotiated Service Agreement (with Singapore Post 
Limited), June 4, 2013 (Notice). Underlying agreements include the 
Docket No. R2012-1 (Singapore Post Agreement) and the Docket No. 
R2013-5 Modification (to the Singapore Post Agreement). The Postal 
Service refers to the 2013 Agreement filed in this case as 
Modification Three.
    \2\ See Docket No. R2013-5, Order No. 1721, Order Granting 
Motion for Temporary Relief, May 17, 2013.
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    The Postal Service seeks to have the 2013 Agreement included within 
the Inbound Market Dominant Multi-Service Agreements with Foreign 
Postal Operators 1 product on grounds of functional equivalence to the 
agreement filed in Docket No. MC2010-35.\3\ Id.
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    \3\ A copy of the Singapore Post Agreement Modification Two that 
was the subject of Docket No. R2013-5 is included as Attachment 3. A 
redacted copy of the Singapore Post Agreement filed in Docket No. 
R2012-1 is included as Attachment 4.
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II. Contents of Filing

    Compliance with filing requirements. The Postal Service's filing 
consists of a Modified Agreement and supporting documents addressing 
compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 CFR 3015.5 (filed under seal); a 
public Excel file containing redacted versions of financial workpapers 
filed under seal; the Notice; and four attachments to the Notice. 
Attachment 1 is the Postal Service's Application for Non-Public 
Treatment of the material filed under seal. Attachment 2 is a redacted 
copy of the 2013 Agreement. Attachments 3 and 4, respectively, are 
redacted copies of the Docket No. R2013-5 Modification and the Docket 
No. R2012-1 Singapore Post Agreement.
    The Postal Service states that the rates in the 2013 Agreement are 
expected to become effective on August 1, 2013; asserts that the 
requisite 45 days' advance notice is being provided; and identifies a 
Postal Service official as a contact for further information. Id. at 4. 
The Postal Service identifies the parties to the 2013 Agreement as the 
United States Postal Service and Singapore Post Limited, the postal 
operator for Singapore. Id.
    The Postal Service states that other than extending the current 
Singapore Post Agreement and revising the rates in Annex 1 of that 
Agreement, the 2013 Agreement does not materially change the terms of 
the Singapore Post Agreement. Id. at 5. It therefore requests that the 
Commission refer to the notice filed in Docket No. R2012-1 for a 
discussion of certain enhancements (related to the performance of mail 
preparation, processing, transportation, or other functions) and 
actions to assure that the 2013 Agreement will not result in 
unreasonable harm to the marketplace. Id. at 5-6.
    Rule 3010.43--data collection plan. The Postal Service requests, 
based on reasons described in the Notice filed in Docket No. R2012-1 
and consistent with Order Nos. 995 and 1610, that the Singapore Post 
Agreement Modification Three be excepted from separate reporting under 
39 CFR 3055.2(a)(3). Id. at 6.
    Consistency with applicable statutory criteria. The Postal Service 
states that under 39 U.S.C. 3622, the criteria for the Commission's 
review are whether the 2013 Agreement (1) Improves the net financial 
position of the Postal Service or enhances the performance of 
operational functions, (2) will not cause unreasonable harm to the 
marketplace; and (3) will be available on public and reasonable terms 
to similarly situated mailers.\4\ Notice at 6-7. The Postal Service 
states that Part I.A. of its Notice addresses 39 U.S.C. 3622(c)(10)(A) 
and (B). Id. at 7. The Postal Service asserts that there are no 
entities similarly situated to Singapore Post Limited in their ability 
to tender broad-based Letter Post flows from Singapore under similar 
operational conditions, nor are there any other entities that serve as 
a designated operator for Letter Post originating in Singapore. Id. 
Based on the Commission's finding that the Docket No. R2012-1 Singapore 
Post Agreement and the Docket No. R2013-5 Modification met the criteria 
in 39 U.S.C. 3622(c)(10), the Postal Service respectfully urges the 
Commission to act promptly by allowing the 2013 Agreement to be 
implemented under 39 CFR 3010.40. Id.
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    \4\ See 39 U.S.C. 3622(c)(10)(A) and (B).
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III. Commission Action

    The Commission, in conformance with rule 3010.44, hereby 
establishes Docket No. R2013-8 to consider issues raised by the Notice. 
The Commission invites comments from interested persons on whether the 
2013 Agreement is consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3622 and the requirements 
of 39 CFR part 3010. Comments are due no later than June 14, 2013. The 
public portions of this filing can be accessed via the Commission's Web 
site (http://www.prc.gov). Information on how to obtain access to non-
public material appears at 39 CFR 3007.40.
    The Commission appoints Derrick D. Dennis to serve as Public 
Representative in this docket.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. R2013-8 for consideration 
of matters raised by the Postal Service's Notice.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Derrick D. Dennis is appointed to 
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.
    3. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than June 14, 2013.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.


[[Page 35650]]


    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-14020 Filed 6-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P