During the week of July 8, 2024, we performed a self-initiated audit at the Birmingham Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) and Mail Processing Annex (MPA) and three delivery units serviced by the P&DC and MPA. The delivery units included the Center Point Branch, Birmingham, AL; Northport Post Office, Northport, AL; and Tuscaloosa Main Post Office, Tuscaloosa, AL.  

We issued individual reports for the three delivery units and another one for issues we identified at the P&DC and MPA. We issued an additional report summarizing the results of our audits at all three delivery units with specific recommendations for management to address.

The audit team identified deficiencies at all five locations. We found issues affecting mail delivery and property conditions at the three delivery units. We also identified issues at the Tuscaloosa Main Post Office related to the sortation of packages for dispatch to the MPA.

We identified deficiencies in four of the five areas we reviewed that affected the efficiency of operations at the P&DC and MPA. We also identified issues related to safety.