Whenever the Postal Service proposes to establish or change rates, fees, or the Mail Classification Schedule based on a negotiated service agreement, the Postal Service shall file with the Commission a notice of agreement that shall include at a minimum the following information:
- (a) A copy of the negotiated service agreement;
- (b) The planned effective date(s) of the planned rates;
- (c) A representation or evidence that public notice of the planned rate adjustments has been issued or will be issued at least 45 days before the effective date(s) for the planned rates;
- (d) The identity of a responsible Postal Service official who will be available to provide prompt responses to requests for clarification from the Commission;
- (e) A statement identifying all parties to the agreement and a description clearly explaining the operative components of the agreement;
(f) Details regarding the expected improvements in the net financial position or operations of the Postal Service. The projection of change in net financial position as a result of the agreement shall be based on accepted analytical principles. The projection of change in net financial position as a result of the agreement shall include for each year of the agreement:
- (1) The estimated mailer-specific costs, volumes, and revenues of the Postal Service absent the implementation of the negotiated service agreement;
- (2) The estimated mailer-specific costs, volumes, and revenues of the Postal Service which result from implementation of the negotiated service agreement;
- (3) An analysis of the effects of the negotiated service agreement on the contribution to institutional costs from mailers not party to the agreement;
- (4) If mailer-specific costs are not available, the source and derivation of the costs that are used shall be provided, together with a discussion of the currency and reliability of those costs and their suitability as a proxy for the mailer-specific costs; and
(5) If the Postal Service believes the Commission's accepted analytical principles are not the most accurate and reliable methodology available:
- (i) An explanation of the basis for that belief; and
- (ii) A projection of the change in net financial position resulting from the agreement made using the Postal Service's alternative methodology.
- (g) An identification of each component of the agreement expected to enhance the performance of mail preparation, processing, transportation, or other functions in each year of the agreement, and a discussion of the nature and expected impact of each such enhancement;
- (h) Details regarding any and all actions (performed or to be performed) to assure that the agreement will not result in unreasonable harm to the marketplace; and
- (i) Such other information as the Postal Service believes will assist the Commission to issue a timely determination of whether the requested changes are consistent with applicable statutory policies.
[78 FR 52704, Aug. 26, 2013, as amended by Order 1786, 78 FR 67952, Nov. 13, 2013]