[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 60 (Thursday, March 28, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19028-19029]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07223]



[[Page 19028]]

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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

[Docket No. CP2013-54; Order No. 1681]


Negotiated Service Agreement

AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing 
concerning a promotional program involving a temporary change in rates 
of general applicability for Global Express Guaranteed. This notice 
informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes 
other administrative steps.

DATES: Comments are due: April 1, 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: Introduction. On March 20, 2013, the Postal 
Service, pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.2, filed notice with the Commission 
addressing a promotional program involving a temporary change in rates 
of general applicability for Global Express Guaranteed (2013 GXG 
Promotion).\1\
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    \1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Promotional Rates for 
Global Express Guaranteed Service, March 20, 2013 (Notice).
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    The Notice, in conformance with Commission rules 3015.2(b) and 
3015.3(b), includes an explanation and justification for the change; 
identifies the effective date and duration of the 2013 GXG Promotion; 
and presents a schedule of the changed rates. Id. at 2. Attachment 1 
presents proposed Mail Classification Schedule language addressing the 
2013 GXG Promotion. Id. Attachment 1. Attachment 2 is the certified 
statement regarding prices required by Commission rule 3015.3(c)(3). 
Id. Attachment 2. Attachment 3 is an Application for Non-Public 
Treatment of Materials filed under seal. Id. Attachment 3. The sealed 
materials include the discounted promotional rates for GXG and 
additional supporting documentation, including financial workpapers 
that detail resulting revenue effects. Id. at 3. The Postal Service 
also filed redacted versions of the sealed materials. Id.
    Authority to offer discounts. The Postal Service states that 
Governors' Decision No. 12-02, issued September 13, 2012, provides that 
the Postal Service may offer one or more promotions in the form of a 
discount or rebate on certain GXG and EMI (Express Mail International) 
items, during an established promotional period, to mailers that comply 
with the promotional program's eligibility requirements. Notice at 2. 
(Footnote omitted.) It further states that the Commission has 
acknowledged that the Postal Service would be filing potential 
promotions and that appropriate language will be added to the draft MCS 
once the Commission reviews and approves particular promotions. Id. 
(Footnote omitted.)
    Description and justification. In Docket No. CP2013-3, the Postal 
Service provided notice of changes in rates of general applicability 
and of corresponding classification changes for competitive products, 
including GXG. Id. at 1-2. The 2013 GXG Promotion will provide certain 
eligible mailers with a discount on GXG during the promotional period, 
which begins April 29, 2013 and extends, at the latest, to June 1, 
2013, through a decrease off the applicable Commercial Base or 
Commercial Plus price for GXG items for existing customers using Global 
Shipping Software (GSS). Id. at 3. The Postal Service states that the 
purpose is to increase interest in GXG service among businesses by 
offering a promotional sale, and that it is designed to stimulate 
volume growth and provide customers with an incentive to use GXG. Id.
    Additional terms. The following terms and conditions also apply:
     the promotion is only applicable to Postal Service 
customers with a GSS account during the promotion period;
     no registration is required;
     the promotion is not valid with any other USPS promotion, 
and excludes GSS customers that have a Global Expedited Package 
Services Contract, a Global Plus Contract, a Global Reseller Expedited 
Package Contract, or a Global Expedited Package Services-Non-Published 
Rates Contract;
     all other standards in International Mail Manual section 
210 apply;
     the discount does not apply to optional insurance coverage 
in excess of $100;
     the promotional discount is limited to the equivalent of 
$10,000 in total discounts for Commercial Base and Commercial Plus 
postage for Global Express Guaranteed items per GSS account holder 
during the promotion period;
     customers may opt out of the promotion by contacting GSS 
customer support directly; and
     the Postal Service reserves the right, without prior 
notice, to end the promotion before June 1, 2013 and to make changes to 
the promotion (except for changes that affect the percentage discount 
offered under the promotion).
    Id. at 3-4.
    Customer notification. The Postal Service states that once the 
Commission completes its review of the 2013 GXG Promotion, eligible 
customers will be notified about the promotion, participation, and 
applicable terms and conditions by email. Id. at 4-5.
    Revenue effects and reporting. The Postal Service states that 
financial workpapers provide estimates of the financial impact of the 
2013 GXG Promotion. Id. at 5. It further states that GXG prices 
combined with the rates in the 2013 GXG Promotion are in compliance 
with 39 U.S.C. 3633. Id. The Postal Service states that it intends to 
report revenue for GXG published rates through the Annual Compliance 
Report, and therefore proposes that the Commission create no special 
report requirement concerning the 2013 GXG Promotion. Id.
    Initial Commission action. The Commission hereby provides notice of 
the Postal Service's filing concerning the 2013 GXG Promotion and the 
establishment of related Docket No. CP2013-54. The Commission invites 
interested persons to express views and offer comments on whether the 
planned changes are consistent with 39 U.S.C. 3633. Comments are due no 
later than April 1, 2013.
    Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, the Commission appoints Kenneth R. 
Moeller to serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) 
to represent the interests of the general public in the above-captioned 
docket.
    It is ordered:
    1. The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2013-54 to provide 
interested persons an opportunity to express views and offer comments 
on whether the planned changes are consistent with the policies of 39 
U.S.C. 3633 or 3642.
    2. Comments are due no later than April 1, 2013.
    3. The Commission appoints Kenneth R. Moeller as Public 
Representative to represent the interests of the general public in this 
proceeding.
    4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice in 
the Federal Register.


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    By the Commission.
Shoshana M. Grove,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-07223 Filed 3-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P