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Open Audit Recommendations

Below is a list of our open audit recommendations. When a report is issued, the Postal Service responds to each recommendation, and if there is agreement, it provides a corrective action plan with a date of planned implementation. We request written confirmation from the Postal Service when those corrective actions are completed and evaluate this information and provide concurrence when the recommendation can be closed. 

 

If the Postal Service disagrees with a recommendation, we work towards agreement by elevating discussions between USPS and OIG management.  Any recommendations that the Postal Service does not act on remain open and are reported to Congress until a resolution is achieved.

 
274

Total Open Recommendations

 
$1,907,208,861

Open Recommendations Financial Value

Report Title Report Number Issue Date Report Open Recommendations
USPS Response Mail Theft Cover
U.S. Postal Service’s Response to Mail Theft 22-178-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop a plan to include proposed quantities, projected cost, and actionable milestones to fully deploy the eArrow lock and high security mailbox initiatives, and include measures to assess their effectiveness.

 $0 Open Disagree Agree
2

Provide new and acting managers and supervisors training on arrow key policies upon assuming their roles and maintain documentation of training attendance.

 $0 Closed Agree
3

Develop an oversight mechanism to hold managers and supervisors accountable for following established arrow key policy and training requirements.

 $0 Closed Agree
4

Finalize the Mail Theft Strategy that is under development by the end of calendar year 2023.

 $0 Closed Agree
5

Assess staffing resources available nationwide to support the Mail Theft Program and align resources with their Mail Theft Strategy.

 $0 Closed Agree
6

Require postal inspectors to complete the In-Service Basic Mail Theft training within one year of being assigned to a mail theft team.

 $0 Closed Agree
7

Work with the contracting officer to modify the existing contract and 1) define the Mail Theft Analytics Program purpose to improve complaint data quality and usefulness for division personnel, 2) develop internal controls such as guidance and an oversight mechanism, and 3) establish performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of the program.

 $1,008,976 Closed Agree
PRC Acquisition Planning Contracting Cover
Postal Regulatory Commission Acquisition Planning and Contracting Practices 23-096-R23 4
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Update the purchasing policy regarding purchase order issuance, to include, at a minimum, requirements for use of Postal Service Form 8203, signatures, and documentation retention requirements.

 $0 Open Agree
2

Develop and implement a tool, such as a checklist, to verify contracting personnel consistently complete, retain, and provide oversight of contract file documentation for each acquisition type.

 $0 Open Agree
3

Update the purchasing policy to designate and clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of each individual involved in the acquisition planning and contracting process.

 $0 Open Agree
4

Create a policy outlining comprehensive requirements to close contracts, including a checklist of closeout documentation.

 $0 Open Agree
USPS Loyalty Program Cover
The Path Forward for the Postal Service Loyalty Program 23-072-R23 3
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Establish performance targets aligned with the key objectives of a new loyalty program and establish parameters to actively monitor progress for effective program management.

 $0 Open Agree
2

Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for a new loyalty program that promotes awareness of functionality for prospective, and once enrolled, ongoing customers.

 $0 Open Agree
3

Conduct an evaluation of customer spending requirements and discounts, related to any future loyalty program, to ensure the program's design promotes customer engagement and shipping growth

 $0 Open Agree
PRC Travel Expenses
Postal Regulatory Commission Travel Expenses 23-027-R23 3
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Implement an electronic review and approval function within the existing digital repository of travel documents.

 $0 Closed Agree
2

Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of either appointing personnel with full travel authority and oversight responsibility or allowing travelers to be responsible for submitting, tracking, and supporting their travel actions and expenses in eTravel.

 $0 Open Agree
3

Update the travel policy to reflect the needs of the Postal Regulatory Commission and align with agency priorities.

 $0 Open Agree
4

Create a training program about the travel process and require employees that travel to complete this training and retake as needed when changes to the process occur.

 $0 Open Agree
Flats Cost Coverage Cover
Flats Cost Coverage 22-166-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

In coordination with the Vice President for Pricing and Costing and the Vice President for Product Solutions, further collaborate with stakeholders from the mailing industry to develop and implement initiatives with specific, measurable objectives to directly reduce Flats costs and address the causes of inefficiencies in Flats operations identified by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

 $0 Open Agree
photo of closed storefront
U.S. Postal Service’s Plans to Resolve Post Office Suspensions 21-239-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Update policies and procedures applicable to the post office suspension process to reflect current organizational structure and assigned responsibilities.

 $0 Closed Agree
2

Develop a process to formally document and monitor implementation of current and future plans to resolve post office suspensions as reported in the Annual Compliance Reports.

 $0 Open Agree
3

Develop and implement formally documented quality assurance processes over the data in the post office suspension tracking system.

 $0 Closed Agree
Mid Term Election 2022 Cover
Service Performance of Election Mail for the 2022 Mid-Term Election 22-187-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop a plan to analyze costs associated with the processing and delivery of Election Mail and explore opportunities to be compensated for the implementation of Election Mail key practices and extraordinary measures.

 $23,033,770 Open Disagree
2

Evaluate if all current Election Mail policies are necessary and eliminate redundancies.

 $0 Closed Agree
Delivery Operations – Undelivered and Partially Delivered Routes 21-262-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Finalize system enhancements to identify undelivered and partially delivered routes.

 $0 Closed Agree
2

Enhance processes and tools to notify customers of delayed mail and undelivered and partially delivered routes.

 $0 Open Agree