Background

The U.S. Postal Service needs effective and productive operations to fulfill its mission of providing prompt, reliable, and affordable mail service to the American public. It has a vast transportation network that moves mail and equipment among about 330 processing facilities and 31,100 post offices, stations, and branches. The Postal Service is transforming its processing and logistics networks to become scalable, reliable, visible, efficient, automated, and digitally integrated. This includes modernizing operating plans and aligning the workforce; leveraging emerging technologies to provide world-class visibility and tracking of mail packages in near real-time; and optimizing the surface and air transportation network. The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviews the efficiency of mail processing operations at facilities across the country and provides management with timely feedback to further the Postal Service’s mission.

This report presents the results of our self-initiated audit of the efficiency of operations at the Kansas City Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Kansas City, MO We judgmentally selected the Kansas City P&DC based on a review of first and last mile failures; workhours; scanning compliance; and late, canceled, and extra trips. Additionally, we selected this facility based on concerns raised by Senators Josh Hawley and Roger Marshall. The Kansas City P&DC is in the Midwest Division, and processes letters, flats, and parcels. The Kansas City P&DC services multiple 3-digit ZIP Codes in urban and rural communities.