Notice2024-06269
Public Inquiry on Modification of Service Performance Measurement Plan
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 26, 2024
Issuing agencies
Postal Regulatory Commission
Abstract
The Commission is recognizing a recently filed Postal Service request proposing modifications to its Service Performance Measurement Plan for Market Dominant products and related measurement changes. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21019-21020]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06269]
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POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION
[Docket No. PI2024-1; Order No. 7014]
Public Inquiry on Modification of Service Performance Measurement
Plan
AGENCY: Postal Regulatory Commission.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Commission is recognizing a recently filed Postal Service
request proposing modifications to its Service Performance Measurement
Plan for Market Dominant products and related measurement changes. This
notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and
takes other administrative steps.
DATES: Comments are due: April 3, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission's Filing
Online system at <a href="http://www.prc.gov">http://www.prc.gov</a>. 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: On March 18, 2024, the Postal Service filed
a notice, pursuant to 39 CFR 3055.5, notifying the Commission of
proposed modifications to its Service Performance Measurement (SPM)
Plan for Market Dominant products and related measurement changes.\1\
The most recent version of the SPM Plan that is the subject of this
proceeding was approved
[[Page 21020]]
for implementation on July 18, 2022, in Docket No. PI2022-3.\2\
Accompanying the Notice is a library reference, which contains a copy
of the Postal Service's SPM Plan, revised March 18, 2024 (both redline
and clean versions).\3\ The Postal Service intends to implement its
proposed modifications ``no earlier than 30 days after the filing of
this Notice with the Commission.'' Notice at 2.
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\1\ United States Postal Service Notice of Filing Changes to
Service Performance Measurement Plan Document, March 18, 2024
(Notice).
\2\ On July 18, 2022, the Commission approved the Postal
Service's proposed modifications to the Service Performance
Measurement Plan, except for the proposed change to the critical
entry times (CET) for Periodicals because the Postal Service was
first required to file a request for an advisory opinion pursuant to
39 U.S.C. 3661(b) and in accordance with 39 CFR part 3020. Docket
No. PI2022-3, Order Directing the Postal Service to Request an
Advisory Opinion Prior to Implementing its Proposed Change to the
Critical Entry Times for Periodicals and Approving the Other
Proposed Revisions to Market Dominant Service Performance
Measurement Plan, July 18, 2022, at 26-27 (Order No. 6232). As
directed on September 2, 2022, the Postal Service filed the request
for an advisory opinion from the Commission. Docket No. N2022-2,
United States Postal Service's Request for an Advisory Opinion on
Changes in the Nature of Postal Services, September 2, 2022. On
November 30, 2022, the Commission provided its written advisory
opinion. Docket No. N2022-2, Advisory Opinion on Changes to the
Critical Entry Times for Certain Categories of Periodicals, November
30, 2022.
\3\ Library Reference USPS-LR-PI2024-1/1, March 18, 2024.
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The Postal Service explains that the two principal changes it is
proposing are related to the measurement of Single-Piece First-Class
Mail. Id. at 1. Specifically, the Postal Service proposes to: ``(1)
apply a data-driven approach to collection box density and origin
proportion referential data; and (2) enhance SPM to align First Mile
samples and retail pieces to their relative service standard service
standard and apply these profiles to corresponding census originating
volume.'' Id. The Postal Service also proposes ``other minor revisions,
including word choice and grammar.'' Id.
The Postal Service states that SPM currently relies on ``collection
box density referential data to determine sampling targets and origin
proportion referential data to align collection samples and retail
pieces to Single-Piece First-Class Mail originating volume.'' Id. at 3.
Collection box density data are based on the results of a Collection
Box Density Test performed by mail carriers once a year, which, the
Postal Service contends, does not capture seasonal variations in the
data. Id. The data are also currently input manually, which the Postal
Service maintains is ``subject to potential data input error.'' Id. The
Postal Service states that ``deficiencies in the accuracy and
representativeness of this data were validated through sample
randomized collection box inspections conducted in 2024 that showed
large variations in the observed collection box density relative to the
referential data.'' Id. Therefore, the Postal Service proposes using
``return address information as an alternative data source to improve
the accuracy of density reference data in First Mile measurement.'' Id.
at 4.
Similarly, the Postal Service states that origin proportion
referential data is currently ``determined by estimating the origin
volume proportion that a ZIP Code represents of its district for a
given mail product by using USPS delivery point data as a proxy for
where volume originates.'' Id. The Postal Service states that this
``proxy approach does not accurately reflect the decline in mail volume
and changes in customer behavior in the past decade,'' because it
``gives weight equally to all delivery points during volume
proportioning, which does not reflect the reality that geographies
where businesses are located may have more volumes but less delivery
points.'' Id. The Postal Service therefore proposes replacing the
existing origin proportion referential data with return address data
captured by mail processing equipment. Id. at 5. For both collection
box density and origin proportion referential data, the Postal Service
states that it intends to automate the generation and integration of
return address data into the SPM system each quarter. Id.
With respect to aligning First Mile samples and retail pieces to
their relative service standard, the Postal Service states that
``[c]urrently, there is one combined First Mile profile across all
service standards, which is then equally applied to the census
originating volume data for each service standard.'' Id. The Postal
Service states that ``a more granular measurement and reporting
approach is needed to ensure the accuracy and representativeness of SPM
First Mile calculations.'' Id. Therefore, the Postal Service proposes
to ``update the SPM system to create separate First Mile profiles by
service standard and align to corresponding census originating volume
for that service standard.'' Id. at 5-6.
Interested persons are invited to comment on the Postal Service's
proposed modifications to its SPM Plan and related measurement changes.
Comments are due April 3, 2024. The Commission does not anticipate the
need for reply comments at this time. The Commission intends to
evaluate the comments received and use those suggestions to help carry
out its service performance measurement responsibilities under Title 39
of the United States Code. Material filed in this docket will be
available for review on the Commission's website, <a href="http://www.prc.gov">http://www.prc.gov</a>.
The Commission appoints Nikki Brendemuehl to represent the interests of
the general public (Public Representative) in this docket.
It is ordered:
1. Docket No. PI2024-1 is established for the purpose of
considering the Postal Service's proposed revisions to its Service
Performance Measurement Plan for Market Dominant products and related
measurement changes.
2. Interested persons may submit written comments on any or all
aspects of the Postal Service's proposals no later than April 3, 2024.
3. Nikki Brendemuehl is designated to represent the interests of
the general public (Public Representative) in this docket.
4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this Notice in
the Federal Register.
By the Commission.
Erica A. Barker,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-06269 Filed 3-25-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7710-FW-P
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