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Efficiency of Operations at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center, Phoenix, AZ

Audit Reports

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    photo: West Valley P&DC.
Apr
01
2025
Report Number:
25-044-R25
Report Type:
Audit Reports
Category: Service Performance

Efficiency of Operations at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center, Phoenix, AZ

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 West Valley Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Phoenix, AZ (Project Number 25-044). We judgmentally selected the West Valley 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 and 2025, including first and last mile failures; workhours; scanning compliance; and late, canceled, and extra trips. The West Valley P&DC is in the Western Division and processes flats and packages. The West Valley P&DC services multiple 3-digit ZIP Codes in urban and rural communities.

Report Recommendations

# Recommendation Status Value Initial Management Response USPS Proposed Resolution OIG Response Final Resolution
1

Train mail clerks and supervisors on proper placarding in processing operations and verify these procedures are followed at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center.

Open $0 Agree
2

Evaluate and adjust transportation schedules to reduce late and canceled trips at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center once network changes have been implemented.

Open $0 Agree
3

Provide training to employees on proper scanning procedures and verify supervisors are monitoring scanning to improve compliance with load and unload scan goals at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center.

Open $0 Agree
4

Maintain a log of broken and out-for-repair scanners to assess whether scanners need to be replaced at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center.

Open $0 Agree
5

Adjust preventive maintenance windows and verify preventive maintenance is completed at the West Valley Processing and Distribution Center.

Open $0 Agree