The rules in this part shall be applicable in all formal proceedings before the Postal Service pertaining to hearings initiated under chapter 3, section 7 of the Postal Service Purchasing Manual. [36 FR 11574, June 16, 1971, as amended at 41 FR 19309, May 12, 1976; 63 FR 66051, Dec. 1, 1998; 67 FR 62179, Oct. 4, 2002]