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###### Postal Regulatory Commission

          - [Docket Nos. CP2009-46 and CP2009-47; Order No. 249]

# AGENCY:

Postal Regulatory Commission.

# ACTION:

Notice.

# SUMMARY:

The Commission is noticing a recently-filed Postal Service request to add two additional Global Plus 1 contracts to the Competitive Product List. This notice addresses procedural steps associated with these filings.

# DATES:

Comments are due July 23, 2009.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at                         *http://www.prc.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202-789-6820 and                         *stephen.sharfman@prc.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

II. Notice of Filing

III. Ordering Paragraphs

## I. Background

                    On July 13, 2009, the Postal Service filed a notice, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 3633 and 39 CFR 3015.5, announcing that it has entered into two additional Global Plus 1 contracts, which it states fits within the previously established Global Plus Contracts product.[1]                                          The Postal Service states that the instant contracts are functionally equivalent to previously submitted Global Plus 1 contracts, are filed in accordance with Order No. 85, and are supported by Governors' Decision No. 08-8 filed in Docket No. CP2008-8.[2]                                          Notice at 1.                

                    The Notice also states that in Docket No. CP2008-8, the Governors have established prices and classifications for competitive products not of general applicability for Global Plus Contracts.[3]                                          The Postal Service states that the instant contracts are the immediate successor contracts to those in Docket Nos. CP2008-9 and CP2008-10, both of which are to expire soon, which the Commission found to be functionally equivalent in Order No. 85.                

                    The Postal Service contends that the instant contracts should be included within the Global Plus 1 product on the Competitive Product List.                     *Id.*

                    In support, the Postal Service has also filed redacted versions of each contract and related materials as Attachments 1-A and 1-B. Redacted versions of the certified statements required by 39 CFR 3015.5 are included as Attachments 2-A and 2-B, respectively. The Postal Service states that the contracts should be included within the Global Plus 1 product and requests that the instant contracts be considered the “baseline contracts for future functional equivalency analyses concerning this product.”                     *Id.*                     at 2.                

*The instant contracts.*                     The Postal Service filed the instant contracts pursuant to 39 CFR 3015.5. The contracts become effective August 1, 2009, unless regulatory reviews affect that date, and have a one-year term.                

                    The Postal Service maintains that certain portions of each contract and certified statement required by 39 CFR 3015.5(c)(2), containing names and identifying information of the Global Plus 1 customers, related financial information, as well as the accompanying analyses that provide prices, terms, conditions, and financial projections should remain under seal.                     *Id.*                     at 3.                

                    The Postal Service asserts the contracts are functionally equivalent because they share similar cost and market characteristics and should be classified as a single product.                     *Id.*                     at 3. It states that while the precursor contracts filed in Docket Nos. CP2008-9 and CP2008-10 exhibited minor distinctions based on differences in customers' negotiations, business needs or relationship with the Postal Service, the new versions of the agreements differ primarily in the method used for structuring the discounts offered.                     *Id.*                     at 4. The Postal Service also states that the instant contracts' customers are the same Postal Qualified Wholesalers (PQWs) as the parties to the contracts in Docket Nos. CP2008-9 and CP2008-10. The essence of the service to the PQW customers is offering price-based incentives to commit large amounts of mail volume or postage revenue for International Priority Airmail (IPA), International Surface Air Lift (ISAL), Express Mail International (EMI), and Priority Mail International (PMI).[4] 

                    The Postal Service indicates that the instant contracts have material differences which include removing retroactivity provisions; clarifying aspects subject to regulatory oversight; expanding entry locations; restructuring price incentives, commitments, and penalties; and clarifying the parties' obligations in the event of termination.                     *Id.*                     at 4-7.                

                    The Postal Service maintains these differences only add detail or amplify processes included in prior Global Plus 1 contracts. It contends because the contracts have the same cost attributes and methodology as well as similar cost and market characteristics, the differences do not affect the fundamental service being offered or the essential structure of the contracts.                     *Id.*                     at 7-8. It states the contracts are substantially similar both to one another and to the precursor Global Plus 1 contracts. Therefore, it asserts these contracts are “functionally equivalent in all pertinent respects.”                     *Id.*                     at 8.                

## II. Notice of Filing

The Commission establishes Docket Nos. CP2009-46 and CP2009-47 for consideration of the matters related to the contract identified in the Postal Service's Notice.

Interested persons may submit comments on whether the instant contracts are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3622, or 3642. Comments are due no later than July 23, 2009.

                    The public portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission's Web site (                    *http://www.prc.gov*).                

The Commission appoints Michael J. Ravnitzky to serve as Public Representative in these dockets.

## III. Ordering Paragraphs

*It is Ordered:*

1. The Commission establishes Docket Nos. CP2009-46 and CP2009-47 for consideration of the issues raised in these dockets.

2. Comments by interested persons on issues in these proceedings are due no later than July 23, 2009.

                    3. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Michael J. Ravnitzky is appointed to serve as officer of the Commission (Public Representative) to represent the                           ( print page 36277)                        interests of the general public in these proceedings.                

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

Issued: July 16, 2009.

By the Commission.

Judith M. Grady,

Acting Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             Notice of the United States Postal Service of Filing Two Functionally Equivalent Global Plus 1 Contracts Negotiated Service Agreements, July 13, 2009 (Notice).                    
        Back to Citation      

2.                                                     *See*                         Docket No. CP2008-8 through CP2008-10, PRC Order No. 85, Order Concerning Global Plus Negotiated Service Agreements, June 27, 2008.                    
        Back to Citation      

3.                                                     *See*                         Docket No.CP2008-8, Notice of United States Postal Service of Governors' Decision Establishing Prices and Classifications for Global Plus Contracts, June 2, 2008, at 1.                    
        Back to Citation      

4.                             The Postal Service states the commitments also account for Global Bulk Economy and Global Direct items mailed under a separate but related Global Plus 2 contract with each customer. The Global Plus 2 contracts are the subject of a separate competitive products proceeding.                    
        Back to Citation      

[FR Doc. E9-17496 Filed 7-21-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P