[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 47119-47123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20287]


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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3035

[Docket No. RM2018-12; Order No. 4822]


Market Tests

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is proposing revisions to its rules governing 
market tests of experimental products. This document informs the public 
of the docket's initiation, invites public comment, and takes other 
administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due on or before October 18, 2018.

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: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 
202-789-6820.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Introduction
II. Proposed Amendments
III. Section-by-Section Analysis
IV. Administrative Actions
V. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 503 and 3641, this order establishes a 
rulemaking docket that proposes amendments to the Commission's 
regulations governing market tests of experimental products appearing 
in existing 39 CFR part 3035. The proposed amendments would revise 
regulations concerning market test revenue limitations and requests to 
add a non-experimental product or price category based on an 
experimental product to the market dominant or competitive product 
list.\1\ The proposed rules reflect lessons learned through the 
Commission's experiences with the existing regulations and current 
practice before the Commission. The proposed rules appear after the 
signature of this order in Attachment A.
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    \1\ Product lists categorize postal products as either market 
dominant or competitive. 39 CFR 3020.1(b). Each experimental product 
during a market test is identified on the applicable product list 
under the organizational group heading ``Market Tests'' in 
accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(3) and existing Sec. Sec.  
3020.4(b)(2)(ii)(D) and 3020.4(b)(3)(ii)(D) of this chapter. The 
intent of existing Sec.  3035.18 and the revisions proposed in this 
order apply only to a request to offer a proposed product or price 
category in non-experimental status, that is--subject to the 
applicable requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3622, 3633, or 3642, and the 
applicable regulations promulgated thereunder.
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II. Proposed Amendments

    Section 3641 of title 39 of the United States Code authorizes the 
Postal Service to conduct market tests of experimental products. In 
accordance with its specific authority to regulate market tests under 
39 U.S.C. 3641 and its general authority under 39 U.S.C. 503 to 
promulgate regulations and establish procedures, the Commission 
codified existing 39 CFR part 3035 to establish procedures for 
conducting market tests of experimental products.\2\ The Commission 
establishes this proceeding to consider amendments to the existing 
market test regulations.
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    \2\ See Docket No. RM2013-5, Order Adopting Final Rules for 
Market Tests of Experimental Products, August 28, 2014 (Order No. 
2173).
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    The proposed amendments are discussed below. The first set of 
amendments intend to revise the method for calculating applicable 
revenue limitations for market tests appearing in existing Sec. Sec.  
3035.15 and 3035.16 to be consistent with the current level of 
precision used in calculating the annual limitation on the percentage 
change in rates for market dominant products (price cap). The second 
set of proposed amendments aim to clarify the process under existing 
Sec.  3035.18 for adding a non-experimental product or price category 
based on an experimental product to the market dominant or competitive 
product list and to emphasize the necessity of receiving specific 
detailed information in those instances.

A. Market Test Revenue Limitations

    Unless the Commission grants an exemption, total revenues 
anticipated or in fact received by the Postal Service from an 
experimental product must not exceed $10 million in any year. 39 U.S.C. 
3641(e)(1). Upon written application of the Postal Service, the 
Commission may exempt the market test from the $10 million revenue 
limitation if certain requirements are met. 39 U.S.C. 3641(e)(2). If 
the Commission grants an exemption, total revenues anticipated, or in 
fact received by, the Postal Service from a market test may not exceed 
$50 million in any year. Id. These amounts must be adjusted annually by 
the change in the Consumer Price Index for such year, as determined 
under the regulations of the Commission. 39 U.S.C. 3641(g). Existing 
Sec.  3035.15(a) uses the Consumer Price Index--All Urban Customers 
(CPI-U index), as specified by Sec. Sec.  3010.21(a) and 3010.22(a) of 
this chapter, to calculate these amounts.
    Existing Sec.  3035.15(d) explains the method for calculating the 
$10 million revenue limitation on a fiscal year basis, as adjusted for 
the change in the CPI-U index ($10 Million Adjusted Limitation). 
Calculating the $10 Million Adjusted Limitation involves three steps. 
First, a simple average CPI-U index was calculated for Fiscal Year 2008 
by summing the monthly CPI-U values from October 2007 through September 
2008 and dividing the sum by 12. 39 CFR 3035.15(d); see 39 U.S.C. 
3641(g). The result is a Base Average of 214.5. 39 CFR 3035.15(d). 
Second, a second simple average CPI-U index is calculated for each 
subsequent fiscal year by summing the 12 monthly CPI-U values for the 
previous fiscal year and dividing the sum by 12 to obtain a Recent 
Average. Id. Third, the revenue limitation for the current fiscal year 
is calculated by multiplying $10 million by the Recent Average divided 
by the Base Average of 214.5. Id. The result is the $10 Million 
Adjusted Limitation, rounded to the nearest dollar. Id. Existing Sec.  
3035.16(c) sets forth corresponding steps for calculating the $50 
million revenue limitation, as adjusted for the change in the CPI-U 
index ($50 Million Adjusted Limitation).
    Under existing Sec. Sec.  3035.15 and 3035.16, the Base Average for 
both the $10 Million and $50 Million Adjusted Limitations is calculated 
using one decimal place (214.5). In Order No. 303, the Commission 
amended the price cap rules appearing in Sec. Sec.  3010.21 and 3010.22 
of this chapter to calculate the CPI-U price cap using three decimal 
places instead of one.\3\ The Commission

[[Page 47120]]

explained that rounding to three decimal places was appropriate for 
several reasons. The Postal Service previously proposed small rate 
adjustments that required a greater degree of precision when 
calculating the price cap. Order No. 246 at 2; Order No. 303 at 1. 
Available data allowed the price cap to be calculated to three decimal 
places, which was not possible when the Commission established its 
regulations governing rates and classes for market dominant and 
competitive products.\4\ Calculating the price cap to three decimal 
places was also consistent with how the Commission calculated the 
Postal Service's unused rate adjustment authority.\5\
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    \3\ Docket No. RM2009-8, Order Amending the Cap Calculation in 
the System of Ratemaking, September 22, 2009, at 1-2 (Order No. 
303); see Docket No. RM2009-8, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to 
Amend the Cap Calculation in the System of Ratemaking, July 10, 2009 
(Order No. 246).
    \4\ Order No. 246 at 2; Order No. 303 at 1-2; see Docket No. 
RM2007-1, Order Establishing Ratemaking Regulations for Market 
Dominant and Competitive Products, October 29, 2007 (Order No. 43).
    \5\ Order No. 246 at 2; Order No. 303 at 1-2; see 39 CFR 3010.26 
and 3010.27.
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    Consistent with the price cap rules, the proposed amendments would 
calculate the Base Average for the $10 Million Adjusted Limitation and 
$50 Million Adjusted Limitation using three decimal places (214.463). 
The proposed amendments would replace ``214.5'' with ``214.463'' in 
paragraphs (d) and (e) of existing Sec.  3035.15 and in paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of existing Sec.  3035.16. This change would slightly increase 
the current $10 Million and $50 Million Adjusted Limitations, which 
were calculated using one decimal place.\6\ For FY 2018, the $10 
Million Adjusted Limitation would increase from $11,365,967 to 
$11,367,928, and the $50 Million Adjusted Limitation would increase 
from $56,829,837 to $56,839,641. Thus, the proposed amendments would 
have limited substantive effect, but would enhance consistency across 
the Commission's rules.
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    \6\ The market test revenue limitations for the fiscal year are 
published on the Commission's website available at http://www.prc.gov; hover over ``References'' and follow ``CPI Figures'' 
hyperlink.
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B. Request To Add a Non-Experimental Product or Price Category Based on 
an Experimental Product to the Product List

1. Background
    Generally, each product offered by the Postal Service must comply 
with 39 U.S.C. 3622 (governing market dominant products), 39 U.S.C. 
3633 (governing competitive products), or 39 U.S.C. 3642 (governing 
changes to the lists of market dominant and competitive products), and 
applicable regulations. Experimental products, however, are not subject 
to 39 U.S.C. 3622, 3633 or 3642, or the associated regulations. 39 
U.S.C. 3641(a)(2).
    The Postal Service may decide to add a non-experimental product or 
price category to the product list based on its performance or other 
factors. Accordingly, existing Sec.  3035.18 sets forth procedures for 
filing a request to add a current or former experimental product to the 
market dominant or competitive product list in non-experimental status, 
that is--subject to the applicable requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3622, 
3633, or 3642, and the applicable regulations promulgated thereunder. 
See Order No. 2173 at 24. Existing Sec.  3035.18 uses the term 
``permanent'' to describe the non-experimental status of the proposed 
product or price category. See id. Existing Sec.  3035.18(a) states 
that if the Postal Service decides to make an experimental product 
permanent, it must file a request under 39 U.S.C. 3642 and part 3020, 
subpart B of this chapter to add a new product or price category to the 
market dominant or competitive product list. Existing Sec.  3035.18(a) 
requires the Postal Service to file such requests at least 60 days 
before the market test expires or the market test exceeds any 
authorized adjusted limitation in any fiscal year, whichever is 
earlier.
    Under existing Sec.  3035.18(b), requests must quantify the product 
specific costs associated with developing the market test, which are 
the costs incurred before the market test was implemented. Under 
existing Sec.  3035.18(c), the Postal Service must also file a notice 
of the request in the market test proceeding's docket that includes the 
applicable docket number(s) for the proceeding evaluating the request.
    Since the market test rules were implemented, the Postal Service 
has filed requests for the Customized Delivery and Metro Post 
experimental products.\7\ Customized Delivery was a package delivery 
service offering that provided customers with delivery of groceries and 
other prepackaged goods within a customized delivery window.\8\ Metro 
Post was a package delivery service that provided customers with same-
day delivery within a defined metropolitan area.\9\ The Postal Service 
proposed to add non-experimental products based on both the Customized 
Delivery and Metro Post experimental products to the competitive 
product list as NSAs, which are written contracts between the Postal 
Service and a mailer for customer-specific rates and fees that are 
effective for a defined period of time. 39 CFR 3001.5(r). The 
Customized Delivery and Metro Post Requests raised issues about the 
applicability of existing Sec.  3035.18, as well as the information 
necessary for the Commission to evaluate such requests. The proposed 
amendments are intended to address these issues by clarifying when 
existing Sec.  3035.18 applies and what information a request must 
include. Each issue is discussed below, along with the proposed 
amendments to existing Sec.  3035.18.
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    \7\ Docket Nos. MC2018-13 and CP2018-26, USPS Request to Add 
Parcel Select Contract 24 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing Materials Under Seal, October 18, 2017 (Customized Delivery 
Request). The requests to add Metro Post to the competitive product 
list (Metro Post Requests) were filed as separate proposed 
negotiated service agreements (NSAs). Docket Nos. MC2016-39 and 
CP2016-48, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 165 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 15, 2015; Docket Nos. MC2016-40 and 
CP2016-49, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 166 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 15, 2015; Docket Nos. MC2016-41 and 
CP2016-50, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 167 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 15, 2015; Docket Nos. MC2016-42 and 
CP2016-51, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 168 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 15, 2015; Docket Nos. MC2016-43 and 
CP2016-52, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 169 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 15, 2015; Docket Nos. MC2016-52 and 
CP2016-67, Request of the United States Postal Service to Add 
Priority Mail Contract 174 to Competitive Product List and Notice of 
Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors' Decision, Contract, and 
Supporting Data, December 23, 2015.
    \8\ Docket No. MT2014-1, Order Authorizing Customized Delivery 
Market Test, October 23, 2014, at 1 (Order No. 2224).
    \9\ Docket No. MT2013-1, Order Approving Metro Post Market Test, 
November 14, 2012, at 1 (Order No. 1539).
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2. Applicability of Existing Sec.  3035.18
    The Customized Delivery and Metro Post Requests raised questions 
about the applicability of existing Sec.  3035.18. The Postal Service 
filed both of these requests under regulations applicable to new 
competitive NSAs \10\ rather than under existing Sec.  3035.18. 
Existing Sec.  3035.18 is ambiguous as to whether it applies to 
proposed NSAs in light of the fact that it refers to ``permanent'' 
products, and NSAs, as defined by existing Sec.  3001.5(r) of this 
chapter, are not permanent but rather are in effect for a defined 
period of time.
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    \10\ See 39 U.S.C. 3642; 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B; and 39 CFR 
3015.5.
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    These filings were problematic because the Postal Service did not

[[Page 47121]]

provide 60 days' notice of the Customized Delivery and Metro Post 
Requests as required by existing Sec.  3035.18(a). Instead, the Postal 
Service filed the Metro Post Requests under provisions applicable to 
new competitive NSAs, which are generally reviewed within 15 days. See 
39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3). The Postal Service filed the Customized Delivery 
Request on October 18, 2017, two weeks before the market test expired. 
Customized Delivery Request at 1. The Postal Service noted that the 
Customized Delivery market test would expire on October 31, 2017, but 
asked the Commission to expedite its review and issue a decision before 
November 1, 2017. Id. The Postal Service acknowledged that ``it is 
seeking the Commission's approval on a shorter timeline than provided 
for in the statute and the Commission's rules[]'' because of the 
complexity of the contract. Id. at 1 n.1.
    The Commission conditionally approved the Customized Delivery 
Request.\11\ However, the Commission expressed concern that the timing 
of the request ``frustrates the purpose of the Commission's rules for 
making experimental products permanent'' and could be interpreted as 
disregarding the requirements of existing Sec.  3035.18. Order No. 4196 
at 7. The Commission stated that it will review the existing market 
test regulations and revise them as necessary. Id.
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    \11\ Docket Nos. MC2018-13 and CP2018-26, Order Conditionally 
Adding Parcel Select Contract 24 to the Competitive Product List, 
October 31, 2017 (Order No. 4196).
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    The 60-day notice requirement in existing Sec.  3035.18(a) ensures 
that both the Commission and interested persons have adequate time to 
evaluate and respond to a request. See Order No. 2173 at 27. Failing to 
provide adequate notice frustrates the intent of this rule.
    The Postal Service also failed to file notices of the Customized 
Delivery and Metro Post Requests in the applicable market test 
proceeding's docket as required by existing Sec.  3035.18(c). These 
notices are important for providing transparency into the Commission's 
review of requests by helping mailers and the general public track a 
market test's progress from an experimental product to a non-
experimental market dominant or competitive product. See id. at 25-26. 
Failing to file notices in the applicable market test proceeding's 
docket hinders transparency and the public's ability to comment on the 
request.
    To address these issues, the proposed amendments would clarify that 
existing Sec.  3035.18 applies to any non-experimental product or price 
category based on a former or current experimental product that the 
Postal Service seeks to add to the market dominant or competitive 
product list, whether permanent or temporary. The proposed amendments 
would remove the word ``permanent'' from existing Sec.  3035.18 and 
instead refer to a request to add a non-experimental product or price 
category based on an experimental product to the applicable product 
list. The proposed amendments would clarify that existing Sec.  3035.18 
applies to the addition of all non-experimental products or price 
categories that were based on an experimental product.
    To ensure that the Postal Service files under the appropriate 
regulation, the proposed amendments would identify specific instances 
when the Postal Service must file a request under existing Sec.  
3035.18. Proposed Sec.  3035.18(b) would require the Postal Service to 
file a request if the proposed non-experimental product or price 
category: offers the same (or similar) service as a former or current 
experimental product; has the same distinct cost or market 
characteristic as a former or current experimental product; or uses (or 
is based on) data or assumptions from a former or current market test 
proceeding.
    The proposed rules would also require the Postal Service to provide 
advance notice of requests. If the Postal Service seeks a Commission 
decision by a certain date, the Postal Service must provide adequate 
notice to ensure the Commission and interested persons have sufficient 
time to obtain necessary information and evaluate the request. Proposed 
Sec.  3035.18(d) would require the Postal Service to file a request at 
least 60 days before the requested decision date. For example, for the 
Customized Delivery and Metro Post Requests, the Postal Service asked 
the Commission to issue its decision before or when the market test 
ends to ensure continuity between the market test and proposed NSAs. In 
those cases, proposed Sec.  3035.18(d) would require the Postal Service 
to file the request at least 60 days before the applicable market test 
ends.
    The Commission retains the substance of existing Sec.  3035.18(c), 
but the proposed amendments would move paragraph (c) to proposed Sec.  
3035.18(e). Proposed Sec.  3035.18(e) would delete the phrase ``to make 
an experimental product permanent.'' This proposed rule works in 
conjunction with proposed Sec.  3035.18(c)(1), discussed in more detail 
below, which would require a request to identify the market test and 
docket number that the proposed non-experimental product or price 
category is based on. D3>3. Contents of Request
    Existing Sec.  3035.18(a) requires the Postal Service to file a 
request under 39 U.S.C. 3642 and part 3020, subpart B of this chapter. 
Because of the unique nature of market tests and experimental products, 
existing Sec.  3035.18(b) requires the Postal Service to include 
additional information to help facilitate the Commission's review of 
requests. As a result of the Commission's review of the Metro Post and 
Customized Delivery Requests, the Commission has identified additional 
information that should be provided with a request. The public versions 
of the Metro Post Requests did not reveal the connection between the 
proposed NSAs and the Metro Post experimental product. The proposed 
NSAs offered same-day delivery service just like the Metro Post 
experimental product. However, the Metro Post Requests redacted 
information stating that the proposed NSAs allow for same-day delivery 
of packages and were developed from Metro Post market test data.\12\ 
The Commission found that redacting this information delayed the 
proceeding and the public's ability to prepare comments. Order No. 3069 
at 6. The Commission also stated that the redactions hindered 
transparency because interested persons reviewing the requests lacked 
important information that would inform their comments: that the NSAs 
offered the same service as the Metro Post experimental product. Id.
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    \12\ See, e.g., Docket Nos. MC2016-39 and CP2016-48, Order 
Adding Priority Mail Contract 165 to the Competitive Product List, 
February 12, 2016, at 6 (Order No. 3069).
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    To address this issue, proposed Sec.  3035.18(c)(1) would require a 
request to identify the market test and docket number that the proposed 
non-experimental product or price category is based on. Proposed Sec.  
3035.18(c)(2) would require a request to explain how the proposed non-
experimental product or price category relates to a market test or an 
experimental product. For example, the Customized Delivery Request 
clearly stated that the proposed NSA ``is modeled off the Customized 
Delivery market test. . . .'' Customized Delivery Request at 1. 
Proposed Sec.  3035.18(c)(2) would require the Postal Service to 
provide a similar statement in future requests.
    Another issue with the Metro Post and Customized Delivery Requests 
was that the requests did not include all of the information necessary 
for the Commission to evaluate them. During a market test, the Postal 
Service collects

[[Page 47122]]

and reports information for each quarter in data collection reports. 
See 39 CFR 3035.20. Data collection reports are intended to form the 
basis upon which the Postal Service may file a request to add a non-
experimental product or price category based on an experimental product 
to the product list. Essentially, the data generated from the market 
test should minimize the reliance on proxy data and untested 
assumptions in the financial model used to support the request. 
However, the financial models for the Metro Post and Customized 
Delivery Requests were based on data and assumptions that deviated from 
the applicable market test data collection reports. This necessitated 
the issuance of several information requests, which prolonged the 
proceedings and the Commission's review.
    To address this issue, proposed Sec.  3035.18(c)(3) would require a 
request to identify any assumptions from the market test that the 
request uses or is based on. Proposed Sec.  3035.18(c)(4) would require 
financial models supporting the request to include all data from data 
collection reports or separately identify and explain any differences 
between the data collection reports and the data provided in the 
requests.
    Existing Sec.  3035.18(b) requires the request to quantify the 
product specific costs associated with developing the market test, 
which refers to the costs incurred before the market test was 
implemented. The Commission retains the substance of this rule, but the 
proposed amendments would make clarifying edits and move it to proposed 
Sec.  3035.18(c)(5).

III. Section-by-Section Analysis

    Proposed Authority Citation in part 3035. The Commission proposes 
to add a cross-reference to 39 U.S.C. 503 in the existing authority 
citation for part 3035. This proposed change aims to clarify the 
statutory provisions granting the Commission authority to promulgate 
regulations concerning market tests.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.15(d). Proposed Sec.  3035.15(d) replaces 
``214.5'' with ``214.463'' in two places.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.15(e). Proposed Sec.  3035.15(e) replaces 
``214.5'' with ``214.463.''
    Proposed Sec.  3035.16(c). Proposed Sec.  3035.16(c) replaces 
``214.5'' with ``214.463'' in two places.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.16(d). Proposed Sec.  3035.16(d) replaces 
``214.5'' with ``214.463.''
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18. The Commission proposes to change the 
heading of existing Sec.  3035.18 to ``Request to add a non-
experimental product or price category based on an experimental product 
to the product list.'' This change reflects the proposed amendments to 
the regulatory text.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18(a). Proposed Sec.  3035.18(a) contains the 
substance of the first sentence of existing Sec.  3035.18(a), but 
replaces the word ``permanent'' with general language about adding a 
non-experimental product or price category based on an experimental 
product to the applicable product list.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18(b). Proposed Sec.  3035.18(b) identifies 
instances when the Postal Service must file a request compliant with 
the remaining paragraphs of the section.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18(c). Proposed Sec.  3035.18(c) lists the 
information that the Postal Service must include in a request.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18(d). The second sentence of existing Sec.  
3035.18(a) is revised and moved to proposed Sec.  3035.18(d). If the 
Postal Service seeks a Commission decision by a certain date, proposed 
Sec.  3035.18(d) requires that the Postal Service file a request at 
least 60 days before the requested decision date.
    Proposed Sec.  3035.18(e). Existing Sec.  3035.18(c) is moved to 
proposed Sec.  3035.18(e), but deletes the phrase ``to make an 
experimental product permanent.''

IV. Administrative Actions

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires federal agencies, in 
promulgating rules, to consider the impact of those rules on small 
entities. See 5 U.S.C. 601, et seq. (1980). If the proposed or final 
rules will not, if promulgated, have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the head of the agency may 
certify that the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis 
requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604 do not apply. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    In the context of this rulemaking, the Commission's primary 
responsibility is in the regulatory oversight of the United States 
Postal Service. The rules that are the subject of this rulemaking have 
a regulatory impact on the Postal Service, but do not impose any 
regulatory obligation upon any other entity. Based on these findings, 
the Chairman of the Commission certifies that the rules that are the 
subject of this rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is exempt from the initial and final 
regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of 5 U.S.C. 603 and 604.
    Interested persons are invited to provide written comments 
concerning the proposed amendments to the market test regulations in 39 
CFR part 3035. Comments are due no later than 30 days after the date of 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. All comments and 
suggestions received will be available for review on the Commission's 
website, http://www.prc.gov.
    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Katharine L. Primosch is appointed to 
serve as an officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to 
represent the interests of the general public in this docket.

V. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. Docket No. RM2018-12 is established for the purpose of receiving 
comments on the proposed amendments to 39 CFR part 3035, as discussed 
in this order.
    2. Interested persons may submit comments no later than 30 days 
from the date of publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Katharine L. Primosch is appointed to 
serve as Public Representative in this proceeding.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Stacy L. Ruble,
Secretary.

List of Subjects in 39 CFR Part 3035

    Administrative practice and procedure, Postal Service.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Commission proposes to 
amend 39 CFR part 3035 as follows:

PART 3035--RULES FOR MARKET TESTS OF EXPERIMENTAL PRODUCTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 3035 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  39 U.S.C. 503; 3641.

0
2. Amend Sec.  3035.15 by revising paragraphs (d) and (e) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  3035.15   Dollar amount limitation.

* * * * *
    (d) The calculation of the $10 Million Adjusted Limitation involves 
the following steps. First, a simple average CPI-U index was calculated 
for fiscal year 2008 by summing the monthly CPI-U values from October 
2007 through September 2008 and dividing the sum by 12 (Base Average). 
The resulting Base Average is 214.463. Then,

[[Page 47123]]

a second simple average CPI-U index is similarly calculated for each 
subsequent fiscal year by summing the 12 monthly CPI-U values for the 
previous fiscal year and dividing the sum by 12 (Recent Average). 
Finally, the annual limitation for the current fiscal year is 
calculated by multiplying $10,000,000 by the Recent Average divided by 
214.463. The result is expressed as a number, rounded to the nearest 
dollar.
    (e) The formula for calculating the $10 Million Adjusted Limitation 
is as follows: $10 Million Adjusted Limitation = $10,000,000 * (Recent 
Average/214.463).
0
3. Amend Sec.  3035.16 by revising paragraphs (c) and (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  3035.16   Exemption from dollar amount limitation.

* * * * *
    (c) The calculation of the $50 Million Adjusted Limitation involves 
the following steps. First, a simple average CPI-U index was calculated 
for fiscal year 2008 by summing the monthly CPI-U values from October 
2007 through September 2008 and dividing the sum by 12 (Base Average). 
The resulting Base Average is 214.463. Then, a second simple average 
CPI-U index is similarly calculated for each subsequent fiscal year by 
summing the 12 monthly CPI-U values for the previous fiscal year and 
dividing the sum by 12 (Recent Average). Finally, the annual limitation 
for the current fiscal year is calculated by multiplying $50,000,000 by 
the Recent Average divided by 214.463. The result is expressed as a 
number, rounded to the nearest dollar.
    (d) The formula for calculating the $50 Million Adjusted Limitation 
is as follows: $50 Million Adjusted Limitation = $50,000,000 * (Recent 
Average/214.463).
0
4. Revise Sec.  3035.18 to read as follows:


Sec.  3035.18  Request to add a non-experimental product or price 
category based on an experimental product to the product list.

    (a) If the Postal Service seeks to add a non-experimental product 
or price category based on a former or current experimental product to 
the market dominant or competitive product list, the Postal Service 
shall file a request, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3642 and part 3020, subpart 
B of this chapter, to add a non-experimental product or price category 
to the applicable product list.
    (b) The Postal Service shall comply with the requirements specified 
in paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section of this section if the 
proposed non-experimental product or price category:
    (1) Offers the same (or similar) service as a former or current 
experimental product;
    (2) Has the same distinct cost or market characteristic as a former 
or current experimental product; or
    (3) Uses (or is based on) data or assumptions from a former or 
current market test proceeding.
    (c) A request filed under this section shall:
    (1) Identify the market test and docket number that the proposed 
non-experimental product or price category is based on;
    (2) Explain the relationship between the proposed non-experimental 
product or price category and market test or experimental product;
    (3) Identify any assumptions from the market test that the request 
uses or is based on;
    (4) Include all data from data collection reports in the financial 
model, or separately identify and explain any differences between the 
data collection reports and the data used to support the financial 
model; and
    (5) Quantify the product specific costs associated with the 
development of the market test; that is, costs incurred before the 
market test was implemented.
    (d) If the Postal Service seeks a Commission decision by a certain 
date, the Postal Service shall file a request under this section at 
least 60 days before the requested decision date.
    (e) The Postal Service shall also file a notice of its request 
under this section in the market test proceeding's docket. This notice 
shall include the applicable docket number(s) for the proceeding 
evaluating the request.

[FR Doc. 2018-20287 Filed 9-17-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P