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.
Implement policy and procedures that require coordination with all responsible parties to create and display notices in retail lobbies on any changes to service by the date the change becomes effective.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Identify and implement the best method for updating retail signage that aligns with the Priority Mail Express service guarantee offered by individual post offices.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Implement policy and procedures to ensure that the Postal Service public website is updated to reflect current service standards by the date the change becomes effective, and implement procedures to routinely review the website for accuracy.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Implement policy and procedures to post revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual on the Postal Explorer website in the next quarterly update after the change becomes effective.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
5
Develop policy and procedures to communicate mail product changes to retail personnel, ensuring they can accurately advise customers on those changes.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
6
Establish a requirement to clearly define the start and end date/time of any Priority Mail Express service guarantee suspension to be used by respective business units in communications, including Retail Service Talks, with retail personnel.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Establish standard operating procedures for requesting approval and implementing a Priority Mail Express service guarantee suspension expeditiously once impacts to nationwide operations are identified.
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to develop and execute a plan to ensure the timely processing of nonmachinable packages and maintain a first in, first out processing order.
$0
Open
Disagree
Agree
2
Assess mail volume and reevaluate operations in the Atlanta region to identify opportunities for more effective use of space, efficient processing and logistics operations, and cost optimization.
$0
Open
Disagree
Agree
3
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to establish a method to identify, document, and address issues daily and hold managers accountable for recurring issues.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to manage unauthorized overtime and penalty overtime and monitor for compliance.
$8,225,268
Closed
Agree
5
Revise projected savings as staffing is balanced with additional facilities and operational needs in the region.
$0
Open
Disagree
Agree
6
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Processing and Logistics managers to review daily scan data to identify problem areas and correct issues to achieve current scanning goals.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Develop a plan to immediately improve performance against transportation key performance indicators at the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Ensure that transportation schedules are reviewed and adjusted to capture potential cost savings for unnecessary trips.
Update their methodology to evaluate merchant data compliance to include analyzing the volume of packages without unique data for each platform.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Reiterate existing compliance policies to supervisors to drive consistent and effective implementation by staff.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Some or all of the recommendation is not publicly available due to concerns with information protected under the Freedom of Information Act.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Identify and address Merchant Rate Card platforms' technical compliance issues to improve rate accuracy.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Require quarterly business reviews to include data analytics to validate the platforms charge accurate postage and fees and resolve platform issues.
$0
Open
Disagree
6
Coordinate with platforms to collect previously undetected short-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.
$958,697
Open
Disagree
7
Coordinate with platforms to refund previously undetected over-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.
Develop an approach to estimate and track Commercial Mail Receiving Agency program-related costs.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Develop and implement an approach to generate revenue to offset all Commercial Mail Receiving Agency-related costs.
$5,183,144
Open
Disagree
3
Update Commercial Mail Receiving Agency application, mail sample, and data quality review policies to include additional detail regarding the timing, scope, and documentation.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Develop strategies to better communicate policies and related updates to Postal Service field staff and Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies, including those for reviewing, vetting, and documenting applications and conducting mail samples and data quality reviews.
$0
Open
Disagree
5
Develop and implement internal controls for ensuring effective local staff compliance and oversight with key program responsibilities, including reviewing, vetting, and documenting applications (using the current PS Form 1583-A version) and conducting mail samples and data quality reviews.
Review the planned savings projections for the Boise Regional Processing and Distribution Center, determine where efficiencies were not achieved, and adjust savings projections of future initiatives, as needed.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Review mail processing operations to determine the cause of decreased efficiency and make adjustments as necessary.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Review the facility's authorized complement to determine staffing needs and adjust the complement, as needed.
Charge First-Class Mail rates for Ballot Mail because service is comparable to or exceeds First-Class Mail service.
$15,400,055
Closed
Disagree
Agree
2
Assess options to charge for the premium service provided for late arriving Political Mail or clarify policy around delivery expectations for this mail.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Finalize electronic Election and Political Mail reporting tools, written expectations for their use, and user guides in advance of the next federal election season.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Use carrier data to prohibit managers from completing the delivery all clear certification before carriers leave and arrive back from their delivery duties.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Work with District Managers to develop a plan to identify hub and spoke locations, including Regional Transportation Optimization sites, and communicate operational expectations in advance of the extraordinary measures period.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Consider additional incentives for using serialized Intelligent Mail barcodes and service type identifiers for mail service providers that mail ballots.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Create a method for scanning local turnaround ballots at delivery units.
$0
Open
Disagree
8
Implement specific training for Ballot Mail service providers tailored to reducing common service performance exclusions.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
Set specific exclusion thresholds for Ballot Mail.
Clarify guidance for making insourcing decisions and develop more detailed cost comparison analysis and maintain records in support of insourcing decisions.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
2
Insource highway contract routes when economically advantageous to the Postal Service and implement a waiver process when cost is not a main factor to insource.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Develop a process to monitor and evaluate the operational efficiencies received from insourcing highway contract route contracts to determine if the expected benefits are being realized.
$3,226,098
Closed
Disagree
Agree
4
Require employees to complete the Postal Service Supervisor Program within one year of their initial appointment to a supervisory position, and refresher training at least every three years, and maintain appropriate records of completion.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Develop and share documentation to communicate lessons learned from the challenges faced during the Postal Vehicle Operator Pilot Program to site management at future pilot sites.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
6
Include specific requirements in the job announcements for Postal Vehicle Service operator positions (i.e. starting as part-time flexible or working outside of normal business hours).
$65,328,390
Open
Disagree
7
Develop and make available the training to obtain a commercial driver's license to interested postal vehicle operators.
$0
Open
Disagree
8
Determine complement and work toward hiring the number of schedule examiners vehicle runs and dispatch coordinators needed at nationwide Postal Vehicle Service sites.
$10,936,174
Open
Disagree
9
Develop a process to ensure site management monitors the accuracy of drivers' license expirations and Department of Transportation physical due dates in the Vehicle Information Transportation Analysis and Logistics system.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
10
Develop controls that prohibit users from entering invalid dates into the Vehicle Information Transportation Analysis and Logistics system.
$0
Open
Disagree
Agree
11
Verify drivers received required safe driver training; and enforce policies that require managers and supervisors to maintain training records in the Learning Management System.
