[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 21, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43624-43625]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17957]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. MT2019-1; Order No. 5200]


Market Test of Experimental Product

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recently filed Postal Service 
proposal to conduct a market test of an experimental product called 
Plus One. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public 
comment, and takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: September 5, 2019.

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. Background
III. Compliance With Legal Requirements
IV. Data Collection
V. Notice of Commission Action
VI. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    In accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3641 and 39 CFR part 3035, the Postal 
Service filed notice of its intent to conduct a market test of an 
experimental product called Plus One.\1\ Plus One is an addressed 
advertising card that may be mailed as an add-on piece with a USPS 
Marketing Mail Letters ``marriage mail'' envelope containing multiple 
advertising pieces. Notice at 1. Marriage mail is a service provided by 
third-party mail service providers who combine advertisements from 
multiple businesses into a single mailpiece. Id. The Postal Service 
intends for the market test to run for two full years beginning on 
October 1, 2019. Id. at 5.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Market Test of 
Experimental Product--Plus One, August 13, 2019 (Notice).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

II. Background

    On August 13, 2019, the Postal Service filed the Notice proposing 
the Plus One market test. The Postal Service asserts that it is 
critical to continue innovating to position mail as an attractive 
advertising channel because small- and medium-sized businesses with 
limited marketing budgets may choose from an array of advertising 
channels to reach potential customers. Id. at 1. The Postal Service 
explains that Plus One will benefit small- and medium-sized businesses, 
mail service providers, and the Postal Service. Id. at 2. Plus One 
mailings must meet several requirements described in the Notice. Id.
    The Postal Service states that it will test four different price 
points ranging from 8.5 cents to 10.0 cents. Id. For purposes of the 
market test, the Postal Service divided the United States into four 
geographic areas: West (including Alaska and Hawaii), South, Midwest, 
and Northeast. Id. To the extent practical, each region contains 
destinating Sectional Center Facilities that serve each of four tiers 
of population density:

 Large (6,600 to 47,362 individuals per square mile)
 Mid-tier (1,000 to 6,600 individuals per square mile)
 Small (185 to 1,000 individuals per square mile)
 Sparse (fewer than 185 individuals per square mile)

    Id. at 2-3. Each region has been randomly assigned one of four 
prices: 8.5 cents (West), 9.0 cents (Northeast), 9.5 cents (Midwest), 
and 10.0 cents (South). The Postal Service filed an accompanying 
workbook listing each 3-Digit ZIP Code and its associated price.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Id. Excel file ``NoticeAttachment.xlsx.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

III. Compliance With Legal Requirements

    The Postal Service asserts that the proposed market test meets the 
requirements in 39 U.S.C. 3641 and 39 CFR part 3035. First, the Postal 
Service explains that Plus One is ``significantly different from all 
products offered by the Postal Service'' within the last 2 years as 
required by 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(1). Notice at 3. It acknowledges that the 
inspiration for Plus One arose in part from the Detached Marketing 
Labels (DML) option developed for flat-shaped USPS Marketing Mail 
Saturation mailpieces. Id. However, the Postal Service asserts that 
Plus One is different because it is developed for mailers of letter-
shaped mailpieces. Id. The Postal Service describes several material 
differences between Plus One and DMLs. Id. at 4.
    Second, the Postal Service asserts that Plus One ``will not create 
an unfair or otherwise inappropriate competitive advantage for the 
Postal Service or any mailer'' as required by 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(2). Id. 
It notes that the chosen prices more than cover the costs for 
Saturation letters and that Plus One will correct any potential market 
disruption resulting from the availability of DMLs for flat-shaped 
mailpieces but not for letter-shaped mailpieces. Id. It asserts that 
Plus One will create more advertising opportunities via the mail for 
small businesses, which will foster a market more responsive to small 
business needs. Id. at 4-5.
    Third, the Postal Service states that Plus One is properly 
categorized as market dominant as required by 39 U.S.C. 3641(b)(3). Id. 
at 5.

IV. Data Collection

    To better understand the results of the market test, the Postal 
Service asserts that it will collect the following data on a quarterly 
basis: Volumes by location,

[[Page 43625]]

revenue collected from the add-on Plus One piece, number of 
participating customers, and average size of mailing. Id. at 5-6. The 
Postal Service also states that it will collect data on the 
attributable costs of Plus One, including administrative costs. Id. at 
6.

V. Notice of Commission Action

    The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2019-1 to consider matters 
raised by the Notice. The Commission invites comments on whether the 
Postal Service's filing is consistent with the requirements of 39 
U.S.C. 3641 and 39 CFR part 3035. Comments are due no later than 
September 5, 2019. The filing can be accessed via the Commission's 
website (http://www.prc.gov).
    The Commission appoints Gregory Stanton to serve as an officer of 
the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in 
these proceedings (Public Representative).

VI. Ordering Paragraphs

    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MT2019-1 to consider the 
matters raised by the Notice.
    2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Gregory Stanton is appointed to serve 
as an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the 
general public in these proceedings (Public Representative).
    3. Comments are due no later than September 5, 2019.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the 
Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Darcie S. Tokioka,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-17957 Filed 8-20-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P