ORDER NO. 145

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20268-0001

Before Commissioners: Dan G. Blair, Chairman;

> Nanci E. Langley, Vice Chairman;\
> Mark Acton;\
> Ruth Y. Goldway; and
>
> Tony L. Hammond

Competitive Product Prices Docket No. CP2009-16

Global Expedited Package Services 1 (CP2008-5)

Negotiated Service Agreement

NOTICE AND ORDER CONCERNING FILING OF ADDITIONAL

GLOBAL EXPEDITED PACKAGE SERVICES 1

NEGOTIATED SERVICE AGREEMENT

(Issued December 11, 2008)

I. BACKGROUND

On December 9, 2008, the Postal Service filed a notice announcing that
it has entered into an additional Global Expedited Package Services 1
(GEPS 1) contract.[^1] GEPS 1 provides volume-based incentives for
mailers that send large volumes of Express Mail International (EMI)
and/or Priority Mail International (PMI). The Postal Service believes
the instant contract is functionally equivalent to previously submitted
GEPS agreements, and supported by the Governors' Decision filed in
Docket No. CP2008-5.[^2] *Id*. at 1-2. It further notes that in Order
No. 86, which established GEPS 1 as a product, the Commission held that
additional contracts may be included as part of the GEPS 1 product if
they meet the requirements of 39 U.S.C. 3633 and if they are
functionally equivalent to the initial GEPS 1 contract filed in Docket
No. CP2008-5.[^3] *Id*. at 1.

*The instant contract*. The Postal Service filed the instant contract
pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.5. In addition, the Postal Service contends that
the contract is in accordance with Order No. 86. It submitted the
contract and supporting material under seal, and attached a redacted
copy of the certified statement required by 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2) to the
Notice. *Id*. at 1-2.

The Notice addresses reasons why the instant GEPS 1 contract fits within
the Mail Classification Schedule language for GEPS 1, explains
expiration terms, and discusses the Postal Service's interest in
confidential treatment for the contract and related material.[^4] *Id*.
at 2-3. It also provides the Postal Service's rationale for concluding
that the instant contract is functionally equivalent to the initial
contract filed in Docket No. CP2008-5. The Postal Service requests that
this contract be included within the GEPS 1 product. *Id*. at 3-5.

# II. NOTICE OF FILING

The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-16 for consideration of
matters related to the contract identified in the Postal Service's
Notice.

Interested persons may submit comments on whether the Postal Service's
contract is consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or
3642. Comments are due no later than December 19, 2008. The public
portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission's website
([*www.prc.gov*](http://www.prc.gov/)).

The Commission appoints Jeremy L. Simmons to serve as Public
Representative in the captioned filings.

*It is Ordered:*

1.  The Commission establishes Docket No. CP2009-16 for consideration of
    the matters raised in this docket.

2.  Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Jeremy L. Simmons is appointed to serve
    as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent
    the interests of the general public in these proceedings.

3.  Comments by interested persons in these proceedings are due no later
    than December 19, 2008.

4.  The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Order in the
    *Federal Register*.

By the Commission.

Steven W. Williams

Secretary

[^1]: Notice of United States Postal Service Filing of Functionally
    Equivalent Global Expedited Package Services 1 Negotiated Service
    Agreement, December 9, 2008 (Notice).

[^2]: *See* Docket No. CP2008-5, Decision of the Governors of the United
    States Postal Service on the Establishment of Prices and
    Classifications for Global Expedited Package Services Contracts
    (Governors' Decision No. 08-7), May 6, 2008, and United States
    Postal Service Notice of Filing Redacted Copy of Governors' Decision
    No. 08-7, July 23, 2008.

[^3]: *See* PRC Order No. 86, Order Concerning Global Expedited Package
    Services Contracts, June 27, 2008, at 7 (Order No. 86).

[^4]: Contract expiration is tied to one year after the Postal Service
    notifies the customer that all necessary approvals and reviews have
    been obtained. *Id.* at 2.