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Pushing the Envelope Blog

Our New Oversight Role Over the Postal Regulatory Commission

Date: 07/10/23 | Category: OIG

You may have seen we recently published our first audit report on the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). It’s a first because we only gained responsibility for oversight of the PRC on October 3, 2022. Why the recent change and what does it mean in terms of our work?

The PRC had its own Office of Inspector General (OIG) from 2007 through October 2, 2022. While much smaller than our office, its mission was similar — to provide oversight aimed at promoting efficiency and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse. But Congress transferred oversight of the PRC to our office in the Postal Reform Act of 2022.

The PRC, which was initially created as the Postal Rate Commission by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, exercises regulatory authority over the Postal Service, including ensuring USPS complies with the legal requirements for rates and service performance (click here to learn more about the PRC).

The PRC consists of five commissioners and a workforce of about 80 individuals, whereas the Postal Service employs more than 635,000 people. Given the difference in size and organizational complexity, our reports on the PRC are likely to be less frequent than those on USPS.

Our new role means we’ll help ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the PRC as well as the Postal Service through our audits, inspections, and evaluations. Our first audit looked at the PRC’s management of its smartphones with an eye to improving their inventory, security, and utilization. Next, we’ll examine acquisition planning and internal controls over the contracting practices for the procurement of goods and services under PRC-issued contracts. You can learn more about this and other upcoming audit work here.

Did you know?
  • There are 74 IGs that oversee their respective federal agency. It’s rare for an OIG to oversee two government organizations, like us! The Federal Reserve Board OIG, which also oversees the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is another example.
  • Our work adheres to quality standards. Periodically, another OIG reviews our work to ensure we follow these standards.

 

Leave a Comment

Your Name
RRMA Global
Oct 28, 2023
Your Comment
Exciting to see the USPS OIG taking on a new oversight role over the Postal Regulatory Commission. This move towards transparency and accountability will surely enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of postal regulation. A step in the right direction! #USPSOversight Visit: https://rrma-global.org/
Your Name
Mike Oxlong
Jul 15, 2023
Your Comment
Seems like a change for the better - the efficiency of USPS' operation depends heavily on the the types of different services it offers, so including the PRC in the purview of the OIG will provide additional opportunities to streamline operations.
Your Name
Leea
Jul 11, 2023
Your Comment
I think the post office should only have sommany works that deliver your mail and every apartment building should have locked mail boxes and when delivering mail it should be scanned before placing inside box and they should have to wear a body camera at all times when dealing with mail then there wouldn't be so much conflict
Your Name
Paul Smith-Waison
Jul 10, 2023
Your Comment
During the last Presidential Elections, candidate Elizbeth Warren mentioned offering banking services through the USPS. I thought it was a grand idea and hoped it would gather momentum. Could you tell me if this is at all possible, probable or DOA? I may not need it, but your service I hold in very high regard and I am sure that millions of less fortunate people could benefit from this service. I strongly believe that its time to offer competition especially to the payday lenders, who rip off poor people. Sincerely,

PCSW
  
Your Name
Webmaster
Jul 26, 2023
Your Comment
Hello, thank you for your comment. The USPS OIG is a separate entity from the US Postal Service. Please reach out to them for specifics regarding banking services. You can find them at: https://www.usps.com/
Your Name
Michael Stewart
Jul 10, 2023
Your Comment
Good day! Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I have 3 observations; 1 is substantive, the other 2 are just observations.
1. Observation 1: Given small size of the PRC, it would seem most efficient (possibly far different from most effective) that it leverage other orgs for non-core functions. Should they use either GSA, DOI Business Center, NITAAC, etc for acq services for instance. They might already do so - I just don't know.
2. Observation 2: if not already done, pls add links to the Publ Law/Statute/US Code/ECFR for establishment, modifications, etc. (in my view, this should be done across all Federal Agencies, similar to the link for the applicable OIG. Obviously, that isn't your issue.).
3. Observation 3/Substantive: The USPS/PRC have a somewhat unique partnership when compared to other Federal Corporate entities. Others include TVA, AMTRAK. It would be useful to understand the various models of regulatory oversight, which might offer insights into possible improvement opportunities.
Your Name
A. Artemis
Jul 10, 2023
Your Comment
I'd like to see the 5 Commissioners named.

Also, did you know that some of your links to, "About Us" meaning the PRC, instead, go to the former USPS OIG?
  
Your Name
Webmaster
Aug 2, 2023
Your Comment
Thank you for your comment. We are the Postal Service Office of Inspector General, which is a separate entity from the Postal Regulatory Commission. You can read all about the PRC commissioners on their webpage, www.prc.gov , under “About the PRC.”