[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 64 (Thursday, April 3, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18661-18662]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07399]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2014-4; Order No. 2035]


Periodic Reporting (Proposals One Through Two)

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning the initiation of a proceeding to consider proposed changes 
in analytical principles (Proposals One through Two). This notice 
informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes 
other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: April 11, 2014. Reply comments are due: April 
18, 2014.

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.

[[Page 18662]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Proposals
III. Notice and Comment
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On March 27, 2014, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant to 
39 CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate an informal 
rulemaking proceeding to consider changes to two analytical methods for 
use in periodic reporting.\1\ The Petition identifies the proposed 
analytical method changes filed in this docket as Proposals One through 
Two.
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    \1\ Petition of the United States Postal Service for the 
Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes in 
Analytical Principles (Proposals One Through Two), March 27, 2014 
(Petition).
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II. Proposals

A. Proposal One: Proposed Change in RPW Methodology for Use of 
Additional PostalOne! and Self Service Kiosk Data To Replace ODIS-RPW 
Statistical Sampling Estimates

    The Postal Service currently utilizes statistical sampling 
estimates from the Origin Destination Information System-Revenue, 
Pieces, and Weight (ODIS-RPW) to measure national revenue, pieces, and 
weight for Business Reply Mail (BRM), International Business Reply 
Service (IBRS) and Merchandise Return Service (MRS) mail. The Postal 
Service proposes to replace ODIS-RPW estimates with data from its 
PostalOne! system (PostalOne data) and Self-Service Kiosk data (SSK 
data) for its Revenue, Pieces, and Weight (RPW) Report. Id. at 2. 
Because PostalOne and SSK data reflect ``census'' information, that is, 
information collected from previous BRM, IBRS, and MRS mailings, the 
Postal Service asserts that these data do not contain the sampling 
errors that are inherent in statistical sampling systems such as ODIS-
RPW. Id. at 2, 6. The Postal Service suggests performing ratio 
adjustments to account for those offices that do not use the PostalOne 
system for processing BRM, IBRS, and MRS pieces. Id. at 6-7.

B. Proposal Two: TRACS Change to Fed Ex Night Turn Distribution Key

    The Postal Service employs a distribution key to assign volume 
variable costs for the Fed Ex Night Turn air carrier in the 
Transportation Cost System (TRACS). The distribution key is currently 
based on an ongoing statistical sampling of mail conveyed through the 
Fed Ex Night Turn air carrier system. Id. at 11. The Postal Service 
proposes to replace the statistical sampling data with operations data 
obtained from the Surface Air Management System (SAMS), the Product 
Tracking System (PTS), the Foreign Postal Settlement (FPS) system, and 
data regularly collected by TRACS. It maintains that portions of the 
Postal Service census data are now sufficiently reliable to be the 
basis of the distribution key. Id.

III. Notice and Comment

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2014-4 for consideration of 
matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may be 
accessed via the Commission's Web site at http://www.prc.gov. 
Interested persons may submit comments on the Petition and Proposals 
One through Two no later than April 11, 2014. Reply comments are due no 
later than April 18, 2014. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Cassie D'Souza is 
designated as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding.

IV. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2014-4 for consideration 
of the matters raised by the Petition of the United States Postal 
Service for the Initiation of a Proceeding to Consider Proposed Changes 
in Analytical Principles (Proposals One Through Two), filed March 27, 
2014.
    2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than April 11, 2014. Reply comments are due no later than April 
18, 2014.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Cassie 
D'Souza to serve as an officer of the Commission (Public 
Representative) to represent the interests of the general public in 
this docket.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014-07399 Filed 4-2-14; 8:45 am]
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