Below is a list of our open audit recommendations. When a report is issued, the Postal Service responds to each recommendation, and if there is agreement, it provides a corrective action plan with a date of planned implementation. We request written confirmation from the Postal Service when those corrective actions are completed and evaluate this information and provide concurrence when the recommendation can be closed.
If the Postal Service disagrees with a recommendation, we work towards agreement by elevating discussions between USPS and OIG management. Any recommendations that the Postal Service does not act on remain open and are reported to Congress until a resolution is achieved.
provide sufficient management oversight of staff at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and the Inglewood Carrier Annex to deliver all committed mail daily.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
verify that management at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and the Inglewood Carrier Annex conduct mail sweeps and enter all delayed mail into the Delivery Condition Visualization system accurately.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
verify that management at the Inglewood Carrier Annex develop a plan to train carriers to complete PS Forms 1571 and supervisors to review and report information included on the forms.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
verify that management monitors the timely return of Certified Mail to senders at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
verify unit management review package scanning performance data daily and enforce compliance at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
verify carriers use firm sheets for all delivery points that receive 25 or more packages a day at the Downtown Long Beach Station.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
develop and execute a plan to verify arrow keys are properly accounted for and managed, and confirm missing keys are reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Open
Agree
8
provide training to managers and clerks responsible for arrow key security at the Dockweiler Station and Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
verify that management complete records of disallowed time and unauthorized overtime in TACS at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and the Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Closed
Agree
10
verify that management establish and secure files for documenting timekeeping records at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations and the Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Closed
Agree
11
verify that pay adjustment certifications are attached to payroll adjustment support documentation at the Inglewood Carrier Annex.
$0
Closed
Agree
12
verify management at the Dockweiler and Downtown Long Beach Stations instruct employees to properly separate, as required, certain classes of packages when dispatching this mail to the processing facility.
$0
Open
Agree
13
verify unit management at Downtown Long Beach Station has access to and uses the proper placards for separating packages for dispatch to the processing facility.
Properly allocate resources at the manual letter and flat operations units and verify the mail is sorted in time to meet dispatch daily at the Bismarck Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Verify supervisors at the Bismarck Processing and Distribution Center are trained on proper mail flow procedures in processing operations and verify these procedures are followed.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Identify and implement additional strategies to fill the supervisor of distribution operations vacancy.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Train employees at the Bismarck Processing and Distribution Center on the correct trip classification and verify these procedures are followed.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Verify all drivers are using wheel chocks at the Bismarck Processing and Distribution Center.
Update Management Instruction AS-280-2021-7 to instruct district management to 1) establish appropriate timelines for communicating preparedness information to postmasters and managers in preparation for a winter weather emergency and 2) outline supplies needed at Postal Service facilities to safeguard employees.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Reiterate authorities and responsibilities with district management and direct the Buffalo postmaster to take immediate action to close facilities when situations become life threatening during a winter weather emergency in accordance with existing policy and guidance.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Update the policy to 1) include who is responsible for conducting an after-action report and 2) direct the individual responsible to establish timeframes for completing a formal after-action report.
$0
Open
Agree
4
1) Develop a process to verify after-action reports include lessons learned identified by all delivery units in their district and 2) incorporate the lessons learned from Winter Storm Elliott regarding essential emergency supplies into the Fiscal Year 2024 Winter Weather Readiness Toolkit.
Finalize the method for tracking contractor accident and fatality data and establish corresponding written policies and procedures, including related roles and responsibilities.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Require freight auction brokers to report subcontractor authorization and vetting and develop a system of record to maintain the reported results.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Clarify, communicate, and enforce subcontractor authorization guidance for highway contract route contractors and terminate contractors who are non-compliant.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Develop requirements and implement a mechanism to track highway contract route contractors and the subcontractors they utilize.
$0
Open
Disagree
5
Communicate and create a mechanism to validate the use of team drivers for trips that exceed 500 miles, update freight auction statements of work, and terminate contractors who are non-compliant.
$0
Open
Disagree
6
Define freight auction applicability to Management Instruction PO-530-2009-4, Section 19 " Special Circumstances.
$0
Open
Disagree
7
Update and enforce freight auction guidance and include at minimum a process to verify driver history.
Develop and implement detailed procedures for calculating avoided costs and setting workshare discounts of First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail letters.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Develop and implement a process to regularly review non-recurring data inputs for First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail letter cost models to formally document whether they need to be updated.
Develop and require all users to complete Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System training and maintain documentation of training completion.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Develop a verification process for annual physical equipment inventories to account for all equipment as required by the Inspection Service Manual.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
1) Review all postal inspectors with assigned equipment and validate they are active employees, 2) retrieve equipment from postal inspectors who separated from the agency, and 3) update the status and assignment of all equipment in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System.
$0
Open
Agree
4
In coordination with the Chief Counsel, Office of Counsel, implement a process, including defining roles and responsibilities, to review and update Postal Inspection Service policies and related documents timely.
$0
Open
Agree
5
In coordination with the Chief Counsel, Office of Counsel, update the Inspection Service Manual to 1) define, track, and maintain technical surveillance equipment, 2) assign the Radio Communications Program to the Communications, Governance, and Strategy group, and 3) replace all references of the National Asset Tracking System with the correct equipment inventory system.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Develop a standard operating procedure to assign Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System user roles based on individuals’ roles and responsibilities and to update or remove user roles when postal inspectors transfer jobs or separate from the agency. In addition, review current users of the system and determine if the roles need to be modified or removed in accordance with Postal Service policy.
$0
Open
Agree
7
Review user roles in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System and implement additional roles, as needed, to allow for the appropriate segregation of duties.
$0
Open
Agree
8
Implement audit logs containing user activity for creating, assigning, editing, and removing user roles in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System.
$0
Open
Agree
9
Resolve Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System functionality errors preventing users from temporarily transferring, temporarily assigning, and recording the final disposition of law enforcement surveillance equipment, including digital signature capability.
Reinforce the operational procedures to conduct sweeps for mailpieces left behind after operations are completed at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Verify registry clerks prepare and dispatch registry items in a timely manner at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Identify and implement strategies to increase the number of on-time trips to plants from the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Establish and enforce an accountability process for scanners at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Provide an adequate number of scanners for employees to complete all required scans at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Verify personnel responsible for Registered Mail properly safeguard registry items on the dock at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Verify all drivers are using wheel chocks at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Keep fire-fighting equipment and exit doors free from obstructions at all times at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
Upgrade the badge system and properly secure exit doors in the dock area of the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
10
Perform an analysis of improperly separated packages arriving at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center from delivery units and document systemic issues into the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system.
Properly allocate resources at the manual operation units to sort mail in time to meet dispatch daily at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of late trips at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Analyze current transportation schedules at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center and implement appropriate changes to reduce dock congestion and minimize late trips.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Retrain all personnel responsible for Registered Mail on hand-to-hand registry item policies at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center and verify their compliance.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Verify all drivers are securing trailers and are using wheel chocks at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Reiterate policy regarding the use of locks on trailer doors and keeping facility doors secured at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
Provide sufficient management oversight of staff at Fairbanks Station and Oak Forest Station to deliver all committed mail daily.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Hire additional supervisory staff at Conroe Post Office to manage delivery operations.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Provide enough vehicles so that Oak Forest Station can complete deliveries daily.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Train management at the Fairbanks Station, Oak Forest Station, and Conroe Post Office to enter all delayed mail into the Delivery Condition Visualization system and subsequently confirm delayed mail is reported accurately at all three sites daily.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Train all employees on standard operating procedures for package scanning and handling at the Fairbanks Station, Oak Forest Station, and Conroe Post Office.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Develop and execute a plan to verify unit management systematically reviews and enforces package scanning performance daily at the Fairbanks Station, Oak Forest Station, and the Conroe Post Office.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Provide training to managers and clerks responsible for arrow key security at the Conroe Post Office.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Develop and execute a plan to verify arrow keys are properly accounted for and managed, and confirm missing keys are reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at the Oak Forest Station and the Conroe Post Office.
$0
Open
Agree
9
Train management at the Fairbanks Station and Conroe Post Office on timekeeping records requirements.
$0
Open
Agree
10
Develop a plan to monitor and enforce compliance of timekeeping record requirements at the Fairbanks Station, Oak Forest Station, and Conroe Post Office.
$0
Closed
Agree
11
Address all remaining building safety, security, and maintenance issues identified at the Fairbanks Station, Oak Forest Station, and Conroe Post Office.