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 approximately 315 processing facilities and 31,200 post offices, stations, and branches. The Postal Service is transforming its processing and logistics networks to become more 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 and 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 Phoenix Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Phoenix, AZ (Project Number 25-045). We judgmentally selected the Phoenix P&DC based on factors affecting delivery and customer service at five delivery units it services. We reviewed several P&DC performance indicators during fiscal years (FY) 2024-2025, including first and last mile failures; workhours; scanning compliance; and late, canceled, and extra trips. The Phoenix P&DC is in the Western Processing Division and processes letters. The Phoenix P&DC services multiple 3-digit ZIP Codes in urban and rural communities.