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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.

 
244
 
$560,887,873
Report Title Report Number Issue Date Report Open Recommendations
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Photo of Boston P&DC.
Efficiency of Operations at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center, Boston, MA 24-153-R25 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Verify the machines are properly cleared of mail at the end of each operational run and mail is timely dispatched, at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Verify enough employees are trained and available to process Hazardous Material mail timely at Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
3

Verify delayed mail counts are completed and entered correctly into the Mail Condition Visualization system.

$0 Closed Agree
4

Use the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system to communicate and resolve issues with placarding from processing facilities.

$0 Closed Agree
5

Complete a review of Postal Vehicle Service transportation schedules and verify related actions are implemented at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
6

Meet load and unload scan goals consistently at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
7

Provide training to employees on proper scanning and verify supervisors are monitoring dock operations for scanning at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
8

Establish and enforce an accountability process for scanners at the Boston Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
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Security and Efficiency of the New Carrier Scanners and Electronic Locks
Security and Efficiency of the New Carrier Scanners and Electronic Locks 24-089-R25 2
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop a formal documented plan that details the installation schedule for the remaining electronic locks on hold.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Enhance the geo-location coordinates associated with each delivery point address and update the Address Management System files downloaded to the Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh.

$0 Closed Agree
3

Reiterate to facility management to use Regional Intelligent Mail Server tools for the Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh and to confirm the devices are transmitting information properly.

$0 Closed Agree
4

Develop an actionable plan to address screen precision and sensitivity to minimize water and heat interference with the Mobile Delivery Device - Technology Refresh through hardware protections or software solutions.

$0 Closed Agree
5

Require facility management to certify supervisors and employees complete formal, and release update, training on Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh functionalities.

$0 Closed Agree
6

Require facility management to provide guidance to supervisors and employees of all major Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh functionality updates.

$0 Closed Agree
7

Develop a deployment plan with actionable milestones for the 24-Hour Arrow Key Management System to all facilities using the Arrow keys nationwide, contingent upon the completion of the pilot program.

$0 Open Agree
8

Reiterate to facility management the requirement to follow the Arrow Key Standard Work Instructions including reporting lost or stolen keys to the Postal Inspection Service as required.

$0 Closed Agree
9

Implement recurring communication regarding existing tools to monitor battery capacity, and proactively replace batteries, as needed, for the Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh.

$0 Closed Agree
10

Reinforce the policy for local management to ensure carriers have returned their Mobile Delivery Device " Technology Refresh to the appropriate cradles and information has been downloaded.

$0 Closed Agree
11

Include and publish language in the updated version of the AS-701 to clarify the requirements to report lost, stolen, or missing assets or materials to the Postal Inspection Service.

$0 Open Agree
12

Evaluate and establish a policy to require increased frequency of a nationwide inventory evaluation.

$0 Closed Agree
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Controls Over Purchase Card Facility Repairs
Controls Over Purchase Card Facility Repairs 24-057-R25 4
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Reiterate policy requiring project managers to transfer expense purchase card supporting documents to credit card approving officials, and for credit card approving officials to maintain the supporting documents for the duration of the retention period.

$756,799 Open Agree
2

Create a centralized, electronic repository for storing facility repair supporting documentation.

$0 Open Agree
3

Establish guidelines and best practices to require project managers to identify and combine related service ticket requests and solicit contracts for projects that exceed expense purchase card authority threshold.

$0 Open Disagree Agree
4

Establish guidelines and controls to monitor the use of batch payments.

$0 Open Agree
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Mitigating Mail Theft Cover
Mitigating Internal Mail Theft 24-076-R25 3
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop and distribute nationwide policy that addresses personal belongings on the workroom floor.

$0 Open Agree
2

develop periodic internal mail theft awareness training for all employees assigned to mail processing facilities, including new acting or permanent supervisors.

$0 Closed Agree
3

identify all cameras not functioning and develop a plan to restore them to operational status.

$0 Open Agree
4

develop and implement a strategic, nationwide plan that includes continuous monitoring of the operational status of cameras and diagnosing and addressing camera failures timely.

$0 Open Disagree Agree
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Fleet Modernization Delivery Vehicle Acquisition Cover
Fleet Modernization: Delivery Vehicle Acquisition Status 24-051-R25 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop an approach for including pertinent financial (i.e., costs and savings) and sustainability impact data in its Vehicle Acquisition Strategy and related contingencies.

$0 Open Disagree
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cover art: illustration of info security.
Review of the Postal Regulatory Commission’s Compliance With the Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 for Fiscal Year 2024 24-097-R24 9
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Design and implement risk management and general support system policies, procedures, and processes that address National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5.1, Rel. 5.1.1 control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
2

Design and implement Supply Chain Risk Management policies, procedures, and processes that address National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5.1, Rel. 5.1.1 control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
3

Develop and implement agency-wide Configuration Management policies, procedures, and processes, that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5.1, Rel. 5.1.1, control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
4

Develop and implement agency-wide identity access management policies, procedures, and processes that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev 5, Rel. 5.1.1, controls requirements.

$0 Open Agree
5

Develop and implement agency-wide data protection and privacy policies, procedures, and processes that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5, Rel. 5.1.1 control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
6

Develop and implement agency-wide Security Training policies, procedures, and processes that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5.1, Rel. 5.1.1, control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
7

Finalize and implement its Information Security Continuous Monitoring plan and update the plan and any additional procedures and processes to address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5, Rel. 5.1.1, control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
8

Develop and implement agency-wide incident response policies, procedures, and processes that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5, Rel 5.1.1, control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
9

Develop and implement agency-wide contingency planning policies, procedures, and processes that address applicable National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-53, Rev. 5, Rel 5.1.1, control requirements.

$0 Open Agree
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cover image: Measuring Performance of S&DCs.
Measuring Performance of Sorting and Delivery Centers 24-040-R24 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop a process to monitor sorting and delivery center management's consistent use of the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system to report issues with the mail arrival profile.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Develop a training for all sorting and delivery center supervisors specific to the network changes/impacts, including techniques to properly supervise route performance, and require all sorting and delivery center supervisors to complete.

$1,420,862 Open Disagree Agree
3

Clearly define the parameters for appropriate staffing levels at sorting and delivery centers to meet the Small Delivery Unit Sorter operational throughput goal.

$0 Closed Disagree Agree
4

Develop a plan for sorting and delivery centers to maintain the correct number of staff, aligned properly across the various processing tasks, for the Small Delivery Unit Sorter.

$0 Closed Disagree Agree
5

Develop an automated process within the Rural Route Evaluation Compensation System to make necessary adjustments to reduce the number of overburdened rural routes.

$0 Closed Disagree Agree
6

Finalize the ongoing review of sorting and delivery center routes and make necessary adjustments to reduce the number of overburdened rural routes.

$0 Closed Disagree Agree
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Efficiency of Ops at the Denver PnDC Cover
Efficiency of Operations at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center, Denver, CO 24-136-R24 3
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Verify that the manual letter operation has a designated employee to monitor mail entering the unit on a daily basis at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Verify delayed mail counts are completed and entered correctly into the Mail Condition Visualization system at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
3

Use the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system to communicate and resolve issues with Express Mail arriving late from delivery units.

$0 Closed Agree
4

Verify proper placarding procedures are followed at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
5

Complete a review of transportation schedules and identify and implement actions to address transportation needs at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
6

Coordinate with the Denver Network Distribution Center to determine and implement optimal transportation schedules and reduce the number of canceled outbound trips.

$0 Open Agree
7

Consistently meet load and unload scan goals at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
8

Verify training is provided to registry clerks and supervisors on the procedures for the daily verification of receipt of registry pouches and reporting of missing registry pouches at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
9

Ensure doors and entryways to the dock and workroom floor are not blocked at the Denver Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
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Mail Theft Mitigation and Response Chicago Cover
Mail Theft Mitigation and Response - Chicago, IL 24-100-R24 2
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Reiterate arrow key security policies and responsibilities to managers and supervisors in Chicago, IL.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Confirm all arrow keys are accurately recorded in the Retail and Delivery Analytics and Reports system and, when necessary, reported to the Postal Inspection Service.

$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

Reiterate registry cage security policies and responsibilities to managers and supervisors at the Mount Greenwood Station.

$0 Closed Agree
5

Establish procedures to complete annual safety inspections, remediate deficiencies, and document the results for the blue collection boxes.

$0 Open Agree
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Service Optimization Post Office Boxes Cover
Service Optimization: Post Office Boxes 24-017-R24 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Implement mechanisms to better communicate and reinforce Post Office Box program priorities and oversight requirements, including performing up-time scans, completing annual audit and semi-annual overflow reviews, collecting reactivation fees, and completing box closures.

$8,893,200 Closed Agree
2

Develop a comprehensive, strategic assessment of the Post Office Box program, which would include analysis of how key program components, such as prices, utilization, service, and marketing, impact on current and prospective customer segments and demand across the country.

$0 Open Agree