Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 109 (Monday, June 9, 2025)

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 109 (Monday, June 9, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24258]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-10414]



[[Page 24258]]

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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

39 CFR Part 3050

[Docket No. RM2025-10; Order No. 8882]


Periodic Reporting

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Commission is acknowledging a recent Postal Service filing 
requesting the Commission initiate a rulemaking proceeding to consider 
changes to analytical principles relating to periodic reports. This 
document informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and 
takes other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: July 1, 2025.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing 
Online system at https://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. Proposal
III. Notice and Comment
IV. Ordering Paragraphs

I. Introduction

    On May 30, 2025, the Postal Service filed a petition pursuant to 39 
CFR 3050.11 requesting that the Commission initiate a rulemaking 
proceeding to consider changes to analytical principles relating to 
periodic reports.\1\ The Petition identifies the proposed analytical 
changes filed in this docket as modifications to the Revenue, Pieces, 
and Weight (RPW) reporting methodology for measuring the national 
totals of non-contract mailpieces in domestic mail categories bearing 
PC Postage indicia from postage evidencing systems. Petition, Proposal 
at 1. In particular, the Postal Service plans to replace Origin-
Destination Information System--Revenue, Pieces, and Weight (ODIS-RPW) 
statistical sampling estimates with corresponding census transactional 
data. Id.
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    \1\ Petition of the United States Postal Service to Initiate a 
Proceeding to Change Analytical Principles and Notice of Filing Non-
Public Materials, May 30, 2025 (Petition). The proposed change is 
attached to the Petition (Proposal).
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II. Proposal

    Background. Postage meters and PC Postage products are collectively 
identified as ``postage evidencing systems,'' which print information-
based indicia (IBI) to indicate postage payment. Id. at 2. Mailers 
print indicia directly on a mailpiece or on a label that is affixed to 
a mailpiece. Id. PC Postage is third-party vendor software that mailers 
can use to pay for and print postage using a computer, printer, and 
internet connection. Id. PC Postage payment transactions are recorded 
in the National Meter Account Tracking System (NMATS). Id.
    The Postal Service explains that the current RPW methodology for 
mail activity relies on several census sources in combination with 
statistical estimates. Id. The ODIS-RPW system is a probability-based 
destinating mail sampling system that supplies official estimates of 
revenue, volume, and weight for single-piece stamped and metered mail. 
Id. at 3. ODIS-RPW data collectors record a PC Postage mailpiece as IBI 
and indicate the specific PC Postage manufacturer. Id. Other mail 
characteristics recorded by Statistical Programs data collectors 
include, but are limited to, revenue, mail class, product, mail 
markings, and extra services. Id.
    In describing the limitations with the current methodology, the 
Postal Service explains that ``[u]nintended errors could occur in the 
sampling of mail, and in the recording of the data elements observed.'' 
Id. In addition, the Postal Service states that the ODIS-RPW system 
produces point estimates with sampling error and does not have the 
capability to report or adjust for short-paid and overpaid mail. Id. at 
3-4.
    Proposal. The Postal Service proposes to switch reporting of PC 
Postage domestic mail categories from sample data provided by the ODIS-
RPW sampling system to corresponding census data provided by PC Postage 
transactional data housed in NMATS. Id. at 4. The PC Postage data 
includes First-Class, Media Mail, Library Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, 
and Priority Mail. Id. The Postal Service proposes to replace the 
sampling estimates with NMATS transactional (census) data no earlier 
than Quarter 4 FY 2025 due to customers turning over to transactional 
level meters. Id. The Postal Service also would retrospectively revise 
Quarter 1, 2, and 3 of FY 2025, but not FY 2024 or prior. Id.
    Impact. To measure the impact of the proposed change, the Postal 
Service produced RPW reports using census data and compared them to the 
original versions. Id. Through these comparison reports, the Postal 
Service identified revenue and volume changes across major mail 
categories. Id. at 5. Thus, the Postal Service states that the proposed 
change will improve reporting of PC Postage revenue and volume in terms 
of the level and measures of precision. Id. at 6. It also states that 
the new methodology will allow for more granularity in the underlying 
report data. Id. at 6-7.

III. Notice and Comment

    The Commission establishes Docket No. RM2025-10 for consideration 
of matters raised by the Petition. More information on the Petition may 
be accessed via the Commission's website at https://www.prc.gov. 
Interested persons may submit comments on the Petition and the Proposal 
no later than July 1, 2025. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Madison 
Lichtenstein is designated as an 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. RM2025-10 for 
consideration of the matters raised by the Petition of the United 
States Postal Service to Initiate a Proceeding to Change Analytical 
Principles and Notice of Filing Non-Public Materials, filed May 30, 
2025.
    2. Comments by interested persons in this proceeding are due no 
later than July 1, 2025.
    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Madison 
Lichtenstein 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 the publication of this order in 
the Federal Register.

    By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-10414 Filed 6-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P