Upcoming Audit Work

The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, as amended, established the Office of the Board of Governors. The Board of Governors sets policies on all Postal Service matters, reviews its practices, conducts long-range planning, directs and controls its expenditures, and approves officer compensation. Board policy requires the Office of the Inspector General to annually audit the Board’s travel and miscellaneous expenses. Our objective is to determine whether Board expenditures were properly supported, reasonable, and complied with Postal Service and Board policies and procedures.  

As part of its Delivering for America plan to achieve service and financial stability, the Postal Service changed service standards to increase mail transported by surface transportation. Specifically, First-Class Mail (FCM) service standards were extended by an additional one-to-two-days, and Marketing Mail standards were also shortened to two days beyond the applicable FCM standard.

Following these changes, nearly all FCM and Marketing Mail moved via surface transportation. However, in fiscal year 2025, air transportation for these mail classes began to rise. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of market dominant mail (FCM and Marketing Mail) transported by the air network.

The Origin-Destination Information System – Revenue, Pieces, and Weight (ODIS-RPW) is the probability sampling system used to assist in estimating Postal Service revenue, volume flow, and weight. The Postal Service uses this information to develop proposals for new Postal Service rates, assist in budget preparation, conduct management studies, and support management decisions concerning mail flow and service performance in transportation and operations. Our objective is to determine whether the Postal Service conducted ODIS-RPW statistical tests in accordance with established policies and procedures. The scope of our audit is fiscal year 2023 Q1 through 2026 Q2.

In March 2021, the U.S. Postal Service released its 10-year strategic Delivering for America (DFA) plan, to address continuing annual financial losses, unmet service performance goals, and evolving public and consumer demands. Over the past five years, the Postal Service has undertaken major initiatives to build a best-in-class mail and package processing network. These efforts include establishing Regional Processing and Distribution Centers, creating Regional Transfer Hubs, and implementing the Regional Transportation Optimization program. Our objective is to determine the impacts that network change initiatives have had on the Postal Service and its stakeholders.

The U.S. Postal Service is responsible for processing, transporting, and delivering the nation’s Election and Political Mail. Election Mail is any mailpiece that an authorized election official creates for voters participating in the election process and includes ballots and voter registration materials. Political Mail is any mailpiece created by a registered political candidate, a campaign committee, or a committee of a political party for political campaign purposes. The U.S. Postal Service has specific policies and procedures on the proper acceptance, processing, delivery, and recording of Election and Political Mail. Our objective is to evaluate the U.S. Postal Service’s readiness for timely processing and delivery of Election and Political Mail for the 2026 mid-term election.